This itinerary runs along the West side of the fertile valley of the most eastern part of our sierra, made use of since long ago for traditional crops (vines, olives, almonds) and more recently for subtropical crops.

    Scarcely begun the ascent via the road off the N-340 at kilometer 298, the verdor and freshness of this valley surprises compared with other Almijara landscapes. Dozens of farmhouses scatter the valley with white reminding us of the traditional human presence which goes back to Roman times and has lasted renewed until our times. The higher parts of the mountains sustain a natural vegetation.

    We carry on along the road until we reach and take a lane to our left close to the signpost indicating that the road we are on is coming to an end.

    If we are interested in riverside vegetation, it is possible to continue along the road until reaching a rotunda and thecarry on along a lane which commences there and takes us close to the riverbed. We can only go up part of the river as getting to the actual mouth of the river is quite complicated. There are areas where small cascades have formed, others where the river narrows and harbours a more exhuberant vegetation. This is the habitat of the rare freshwater tortoise.

    We may choose to continue on foot for the rest of the route (9 km), leaving the vehicle in the rotunda and going back to the lane previously indicated, which is not in very good condition but will also allow for the passage of cars. We will carry on along the lane, leaving to our left and right others which lead to private properties, until reaching Los Cortijos del Nacimiento (The Farmhouses of the Source), so-called as they are situated close to where the river originates.

    After passing a small stream we come across two alternative routes for the ascent to the Peñon de los Castillejos (Castillejos Rock). With the first we take a path which begins in the form of a lane on our left, via which we will climb up to the rock itself in three quarters of an hour. Here we can observe how the vegetation recovers from a previous forest fire. The second alternative consists in continuing along the lane and, upon arriving at the side of the mountains, we veer to the left to gain access to the base of the rock, this time on its eastern face. From here we climb, guide by our intuition, to the top from which we can contemplate marvellous views of the Valley of Río de la Miel and of Granada and the coast.

    It is told amongst farm hand who live in these places, that a normal sized bell was found here which, rusted and worn by the passage of time, was exchanged for trinkets by a wandering salesman and that it turned out to be made of silver.

    The return to the N-340 can be made following the earthen lane, ok 9 km length, which takes us to the area of Cantarriján (see diagram).