🎵 Audio guide
To the east of Acebo, beneath high mountains, lies a small valley bound by rolling hillsides where the Candelera stream runs through the area known as Los Baldíos. This area is a mosaic of colours - patches of scrubland and young forest which, with the arrival of spring, are filled with colour. These are complemented by the many shades of green of the olive trees, grapevines, vegetable gardens, small meadows and the many trees growing along the riverbanks. An incredible spot to take in the magnificent views of the surroundings of Acebo.
The trail starts beside the Acebo river, at the bridge at the Carrecía natural pool. For 800m it follows the small road that winds upwards towards the Puerto de Perales (Perales Pass) with stunning views of the area.
On the right we reach a small track. Before taking this track,it is worth pausing for a moment to admire Mount Jálama to the north and the panoramic views of the area through which this trail passes. The track descends steeply and we find ourselves in the valley of Los Baldíos.
We then follow the path uphill, getting deeper into nature following the twists and turns of the trail to a high area with 360º views of the Acebo river valley, Mount Jálama, the Lágina stream and, of course, the Baldíos valley.
The trail then heads downhill to the Candelera stream, which collects the water from the valley, creating a green corridor of cultivated land, meadows and riverside vegetation, before joining the Acebo River.
After passing the stream, the trail climbs uphill, once more giving great views of the area. We turn right to head back towards Acebo, following the track downhill to the Acebo river. We find ourselves in a lovely spot to relax in the shade of the canopy of riverside trees.
As we continue along the trail, we notice more man-made modifications to the environment with granite stone walls enclosing olive groves, vineyards and oak woods.
Dejando a la Izquierda un pequeño camino nos adentramos en el sendero de “los Naranjos”. Las tierras de huertas son ocupadas por un mar de naranjos, que, en época primaveral, inundan el ambiente de un intenso olor a azahar.
On the less productive, higher ground there are vineyards and hundred-year-old olive trees, which produce the high-quality Sierra de Gata olive oil. Alongside the stone walls and terraces, there are also the ruins of an old olive mill.
Acebo’s characteristic orange orchards, renowned for the variety and the sheer number of trees, merge with the first houses as we approach the village. The sound of water accompanies us from the ancient stone irrigation channels carrying the water which is the very lifeblood of these orange orchards.