Way of Mozarab from Almería

Historic Route from Almería, connecting the Mediterranean coast with the Via Plata in Mérida.

Organize your Way of Mozarab from Almería

Origin

Almería

Destination

Granada

Distance

590 km

Days

24

Difficulty

High

General Description of Way of Mozarab from Almería

Starting from Almería, this historic branch of the Mozarabic Way traverses contrasting landscapes, from the coast to the Extremaduran grasslands, connecting with the Via Plata in Mérida after a demanding journey. It is a path of deep Andalusian heritage.

Connections of Way of Mozarab from Almería

Way of the Plate
Distance: 963.6 km
Days: 38
Difficulty: High

The Silver Way (La Vía de la Plata) is the longest of the Camino de Santiago paths in Spain, with almost 1000 km. Its route, which starts in Seville, largely follows the ancient Roman road that connected Mérida to Astorga. It traverses Andalusia, Extremadura and Castile and León, offering pilgrims two options in Granja de Moreruela (Zamora): continue on to Astorga to link with the French Way or take the Sanabrés Way directly to Galicia.

It is a route of immense historical and monumental wealth. Due to its length and high temperatures in its southern section, it requires excellent planning. It offers diverse landscapes, from the extreme dehesas to the plains and mountains of Castile and León.

Stages of this variant:

Etapa 1
Stage 1: Seville to Guadahortuna
21.90 km 5.48h Baja
Etapa 2
Stage 2: Guillena to Castilblanco de los Arroyos
18.30 km 4.58h Media
Etapa 3
Stage 3: Castileja del Pinar to Almaden de la Plata
28.20 km 7.05h Media
Etapa 4
Stage 4: Mondovino to Monestier-de-Clermont
33.60 km 8.40h Alta
Etapa 5
Stage 5: Monastery at Fuente de Cantos
20.70 km 5.18h Baja
(19) more
Mozarabic Way from Málaga
Distance: 400 km
Days: 17
Difficulty: High

The Mozarabic Way from Málaga allows pilgrims to start their journey from the Mediterranean coast, ascending through the Malagueña mountains and entering the interior of Andalusia. The route converges with other Mozarabic branches towards Córdoba and finally to Mérida.

Stages of this variant:

Etapa 1
Stage 1: Malaga to Almogía
22.50 km 7.50h Media-Alta
Etapa 2
Stage 2: Pardon of Villanueva de la Concepción
20.20 km 6.73h Media
Etapa 3
Stage 3: Villanueva de la Concepción to Antequera
16.60 km 8.87h Media
Etapa 4
Stage 4: Antequera to Villanueva de la Gaita
24.50 km 8.17h Baja
Etapa 5
Stage 5: Villanueva de Algeciras to Encinas Reales
16.30 km 7.40h Baja
(3) more
Mozarab Path from Granada
Distance: 385 km
Days: 16
Difficulty: High

The Mozarabic Way from Granada offers a journey through the heart of Andalusia. Starting from monumental Granada, pilgrims head north, finding historic cities like Cordoba before reaching Merida and the Silver Road.

Stages of this variant:

Etapa 1
Stage 1: Granada to Pinos Puente
15.00 km 5.00h Baja
Etapa 2
Stage 2: Pines of Pontevedra to Moclín
15.00 km 4.00h Media
Etapa 3
Stage 3: Move to Alcalá la Real
20.00 km 6.00h Media
Etapa 4
Stage 4: Alcala la Real to Alcaudete
23.30 km 6.30h Media
Etapa 5
Stage 5: Alcaudete to Baena
20.00 km 6.25h Media
(3) more
Way of Mozarabia from Jaen to Merida
Distance: 330 km
Days: 14
Difficulty: Media

Starting from Jaén, capital of the Holy Kingdom, this branch of the Mozarabic Way enters the Andalusian olive tree sea to later join other pilgrims in Córdoba and continue on the Via Plata in Mérida. A path of history and tradition.

Stages of this variant:

Etapa 1
Stage 1: Jaen to Torredelcampo
10.00 km 3.00h Baja
Etapa 2
Stage 2: Torredelcampo to Martos
15.00 km 4.00h Baja
Etapa 3
Stage 3: Martos to Alcaudete
15.00 km 4.00h Baja
Etapa 4
Stage 4: Alcaudete to Baena
20.00 km 6.25h Media
The Mozarabic Way from Córdoba to Mérida
Distance: 246.3 km
Days: 10
Difficulty: Media

This section of the Mozarabic Way, starting from historic Córdoba, is one of the most significant. It leads pilgrims through the Extremaduran grasslands to Mérida, an important Roman city and key point on the Via Plata. It's a beautiful natural path with deep historical significance.

Stages of this variant:

Etapa 2
Stage 2: Mount Muriano to Villaharta
20.40 km 6.80h Baja
Etapa 3
Stage 3: Village of Villaharta to Alcaracejos
33.70 km 8.42h Alta
Etapa 4
Stage 4: Alcaraz to Hinojosa del Duque
21.60 km 7.20h Baja
Etapa 5
Stage 5: Hinojosa del Duque to Monterrubio de la Serena
33.80 km 9.27h Media
Etapa 6
Stage 6: Montrubio de la Serena to Castuera
18.40 km 7.33h Baja
(4) more

Stages of Way of Mozarab from Almería

Etapa 1: Almería to Rioja

15.00 km 4.25h Baja 175m

Description:

The Mozarabic Way from Almería begins with a journey that leaves the coast to venture into the valley of the Andarax River. This first stage is a transition from urban and maritime landscapes to the f...

Origen: Almería

Destino: Rioja

Etapa 2: Rioja to Alboloduy

20.00 km 6.67h Media 20m

Description:

This stage is a journey to the heart of Don Quixote's La Mancha. The route is flat and monotonous, a challenge for the pilgrim's mind. Arrival at Mota del Cuervo, with its impressive windmills, is an ...

Origen: Rioja

Destino: Alboloduy

Etapa 3: Alboloduy to Abla

25.00 km 8.33h Alta 60m

Description:

This stage continues across the Manchegan plain, on a flat and shadowless route. It is a day to enjoy the vastness of the landscape and the solitude of the road. The arrival in Quintanar de la Orden, ...

Origen: Alboloduy

Destino: Abla

Etapa 4: Abla to Huéneja

30.00 km 10.00h Baja 39m

Description:

This long stage enters the province of Toledo, on a flat and monotonous route. The arrival at Tembleque is a monumental reward. Its Plaza Mayor, one of Spain's most beautiful squares, is a jewel of po...

Origen: Abla

Destino: Huéneja

Etapa 5: Huéneja to Alquife

55.00 km 18.33h Baja 112m

Description:

This long stage is an authentic challenge that culminates in the monumental city of Toledo. The route is a continuous up and down through the Toledo Hills. It's a day of great beauty and physical dema...

Origen: Huéneja

Destino: Alquife

Etapa 6: Alquife to Guadix

25.00 km 8.33h Baja 49m

Description:

Leaving behind the monumental Toledo, this stage enters the comarca of Torrijos. The route is an enjoyable stroll through flat terrain, between fields of cultivation. It's a day to enjoy the tranquili...

Origen: Alquife

Destino: Guadix

Featured Towns of Way of Mozarab from Almería

Explore the key towns and cities of this route.

Millenary History of the Camino de Santiago: Origins and Evolution Way of Mozarab from Almería

Discover the origins and evolution of Way of Mozarab from Almería

The Mozarabic Way from Almería is, with all probability, the most difficult, solitary and extreme of all the Ways of St James in the Iberian Peninsula. Its history is an epic of faith on a hostile territory, the account of Christian pilgrims who set out from one of the easternmost and most prosperous cities of Al-Andalus to embark on a long journey northwards. It's a brutal contrast route that begins by the Mediterranean Sea and crosses the only European desert before facing the Sierra Nevada mountains.

In the Middle Ages, Almería ("Al-Mari'yah") was an important strategic and commercial port, especially during the era of the Caliphate of Córdoba and later as the capital of its own taifa kingdom. It was a center for silk production and an active commercial link with the rest of the Mediterranean. In this environment dominated by Islam, a Mozarabic Christian community survived. For them, the pilgrimage to the distant tomb of the Apostle in Galicia was a religious act of extraordinary courage and difficulty.

The start of this route is unique. The first stages take the pilgrim through the Tabernas Desert, an overwhelming landscape of canyons and dry ravines, famous in the 20th century for being the setting of hundreds of "spaghetti western" films. Overcome the desert, the route faces a formidable obstacle: the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The path ascends its northern side through the comarca of the Filabres and passes by villages like Fiñana before reaching the historic city of Guadix, famous for its cathedral and above all its cave district, where thousands of people still live in troglodytic dwellings.

The next great milestone on the journey was arriving at Granada, the capital of the Nasrid kingdom and the last stronghold of Islam in the peninsula. In Granada, the Almería pilgrim encountered those who had started their own route in the city of the Alhambra. From here, a more unified route continued northwards towards Córdoba, crossing the olive tree plain of the province of Jaén and passing through the fortified border town of Alcalá la Real.

Córdoba, the ancient capital califal, was the great meeting point of pilgrims from the south. Here, the routes of Almería, Granada, Málaga and Jaén converged. From Córdoba, a unified and stronger Mozarabic Way faced the crossing of Sierra Morena to enter the dehesas of Extremadura. The final objective of this long journey through Andalusian lands was to reach the city of Mérida, the entrance to the Via Plata, the route that would lead them with greater security northwards.

The modern revival of this itinerary has consolidated it as a route only suitable for experienced and self-sufficient pilgrims. The harsh climate in summer makes it almost exclusive to winter and spring. The distances between settlements are enormous, water is scarce and the accommodation infrastructure is limited. However, for those who dare to tackle it, offers an unparalleled experience of solitude, silence and scenic beauty, a journey that evokes with fidelity the immense determination of those Mozarabic Christians who crossed deserts and mountains for their faith.

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