La Tinosa 1568m – the highest peak in the Subbetica National Park and in Cordoba Province - stands between Priego de Cordoba and Las Lagunillas. To find a route to the summit was the objective of 7 intrepid walkers from Fuente del Conde, Fuente Camacho and Los Juncares. A gruelling 7 hour round trip was the reality!

Unable to find any recorded route for the ascent, we set off early one morning, from the Priego side. A solitary old farmer waved his arms around and gave vague directions to approach the top - all very clear!!

We soon came to a large enclosure of wonderful pigs with their piglets of different colours and markings amongst a mass of oak trees. They were very engrossed scoffing their way through a huge mound of green peppers, tomatoes and peaches. After much oohing and aahing we began our climb upwards through some very prickly scrub and loose scree.

There was no sign of a track apart from the goat paths which soon petered out, so for the next 2 to 3hours we made our way(at varying speeds) upwards. At times we had to haul ourselves over huge limestone rocks – thankfully we could use the strongly rooted grasses to hang onto to stop falling.

Above us we could see a ridge and the first of the peaks, looking like a bowler hat! From the back of the group we could also see that some of the fittest were already up there, and were able to shout to us and guide us up the easiest route. Once we had scrabbled to reach the peak we were able to admire the magnificent views and also spot a potentially easier route for another time coming up from the Las Lagunillas side!

After a short sandwich break, we decided to go ahead and try to make it to the actual peak. Although some of us had found it very hard going up to this point, we decided that having come so far we would be silly not to even attempt the next part.

Amazingly we soon found ourselves on a distinct path which was very reminiscent of the Derbyshire Edges – it was quite bizarre! To mark the true peak of La Tinosa there was a flag, a concrete post and a steel box. On investigating the box we found it contained visitors books dating back to 1990’s and thankfully a pen (how frustrating would that have been if there hadn’t been one!). We duly recorded our names and the date and then spent time marvelling at our achievement and the spectacular panoramic views – we were most definitely standing on top of the world!

Little did we know that the route we chose for our descent would prove even tougher and more frightening than the earlier climb to the top. It was so difficult trying not to slip and slide (some did this more than others!), whilst negotiating the scree slopes and trying to step carefully around the painfully prickly bushes without ending up sitting in them - ouch. Nursing scratched arms and legs, prickled bums and torn trousers we inched our way over and down a narrow ledge with very little to cling to.

Next with large sections of scree we quickly became skilled at scree skiing and this lead to a rapid and sometimes uncontrolled descent!

We were so relieved to be in sight of the pigs again and from there on it was an easy stroll back to the cars where welcome cold drinks were waiting for us in the coolbox.

NB for anyone considering this walk/scramble it would definitely be worth considering an ascent from the Las Lagunillas side – from the peak we thought this looked a slightly easier ascent.

Julia Herrod
Fuente del Conde

Julia is part of an informal group who walk most Wednesdays. If anyone is interested in coming along please call 957 599 903. Please remember that the most important part is the drinks and tapas at the end!