BEAUTIFUL CASTRIL

CASTRIL - ACTIVITIES FOR EVERYONE

Route 13 - Cerro del Buitre.

	Time: 0 mins. Location: Collado del Laude GPS: 516576 / 4186896	Comments: To drive to the start point, it is essential to have a 4X4 as the track is in very poor condition. One could walk from the main road but this will add about 8km to the route. On leaving Castril in the direction of Pozo Alcon, the tarmac road climbs through the mountains. After about 2 Km one will see a large signpost indicating the turn-off for El Buitre (516804 / 4184606). Take this and follow the track for about 15 minutes, following to the left whenever there is a bifurcation (517117 / 4184922). Eventually, you will come across a flat area with another information board. Park here.
	Time: 5 mins. Location: Collado del Buitre GPS:	Comments: To the left of the sign is the start of the route. There are many waymarkers and it is nearly impossible to get lost.
	Time: 20 mins. Location: Meeting up with the return path. GPS: 516122 / 4188893	Comments: We come across a waymark sign indicating the T junction in the route. We take the left path.
	Time: 1hr 30 mins. Location: The double window karst. GPS: 516102 / 4189392	Comments: This incredible structure formed from the weathering of the limestone.
	Time: 1 hr 45 mins. Location: The goat troughs. GPS: 516064 / 4189891	Comments: We are now at 1,863m (6,000ft) and have spectacular views down to the Altiplano to the south, and the Sierras de Cazorla to the west.
	Time: 2 hr 15 mins. Location: The triangulation point. GPS: 516463 / 4189930	Comments: On ascending the triangulation point (2,021m - 6,500ft.) we have views in all directions - to the east: Castril valley, to the north: Cueva de Don Fernando, to the south: Jabalcon and to the east: Cazorla mountain range.
	Time: 3hr 10 mins. Location: Refuge GPS:	Comments: On our return from the summit, we can see the refuge, which is well worth a visit if only for the views from the rocks behind it.
	Time: 3hr 30 mins. Location: Bifurcation. GPS: 516122 / 4188893	Comments: Now that we are back on the track, we come across the signpost again. This time we go straight on to take the alternative route back to the 4X4.
	Time: 4hrs mins. Location: Collado de las Tablas gorge. GPS: 517057 / 4187923	Comments: We cross the gorge still following the clearly marked path. Above us we can see the sheer cliffs with an assortment of caves. We follow the path back to the start of the walk. END OF WALK.