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Stage of the Camino

Almeria to La Rioja

From Almería To Rioja

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Origin

Almería

Destination

Rioja

Distance

15.00 km

Duration

4.25 h

Difficulty

Baja

Ascent

175 m

Stage of the Camino

Stage 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 fertile huerta of Almeria. The profile is a gentle but continuous ascent, a warming up for the mountain stages that are to come. The route passes through localities such as Huércal de Almería and Viator, in an increasingly rural environment. The arrival at Rioja, a small village nestled in the sierra, offers a first contact with the tranquility and hospitality of Andalusian interior.
The adventure of the Mozárabe Way from Almería begins in the same capital, by the Mediterranean Sea. This first stage is a day of acclimatization that allows the pilgrim to bid farewell to the sea and start gaining height towards the interior. The route starts from the city center and heads north, following largely the course of the Andarax River. The initial landscape is urban and peri-urban, passing through Huércal de Almería and Viator. Gradually, the asphalt gives way to dirt tracks that wind between orange groves and fields, an oasis of greenery that contrasts with the drier landscape characteristic of the province. The profile is a progressive but gentle ascent, which prepares the walker for the steep slopes of the following stages. Along the route, the imposing silhouette of Sierra Nevada can be seen in the distance. The final stage ends in the small rural village of Rioja, a peaceful nucleus that offers basic services to the pilgrim. It's a perfect ending to the stage to rest and assimilate the change of landscape, leaving behind the coast to immerse oneself in Andalusian interior.

Last updated: 12/08/2025

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