CERRO DE LA EMPANADA POR EL RÍO CASTRIL | SIERRA DE CASTRIL-GRANADA

Ascent to the highest peak in the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park from the Castril River valley (Granada) via the Cerrada de la Magdalena pass, the Collado de las Margaritas pass, the Cortijo del Maestrillo farmhouse, the Collado Salitre pass, and descent via the Cortijo del Nacimiento farmhouse. IMPORTANT: This is a long route with significant elevation gain. Good navigation skills and an understanding of the complex karst landscape are essential, especially in the initial section up to the Cortijo del Maestrillo farmhouse, where the path is sometimes difficult to follow and trail markers are scarce. To avoid complications, start the marked route provided by the Junta de Andalucía (Regional Government of Andalusia) from the Cortijo del Nacimiento farmhouse to the Cortijo del Maestrillo farmhouse (this coincides with the return leg of the route described here). In foggy conditions, the final ascent to the ridge can be very dangerous due to the ease with which one can become disoriented and lost in the dense forest or the complex karst landscape at the top. Report recorded in October 2019.