María: Hiking Trails and Sanctuaries

In the Sierra María-Los Vélez Nature Park, a cycling route begins in Vélez-Blanco and ends in María. The linear Pinar de la Alfahuara trail is 8.295 km long, takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, and has a moderate difficulty level. The Pinar de la Alfahuara was formerly a hunting ground of the House of Los Vélez; ordinances issued by King Philip II on 10 March 1591 protected it.

Nature

The Umbría de la Virgen Botanical Garden belongs to the Andalusian Network of Botanical Gardens in Natural Areas. Along short, medium-length and long trails, visitors can learn about a wide variety of plant species. The La Umbría de la Virgen trail climbs and descends along a shaded slope of the Sierra María through various vegetation formations adapted to their respective elevations, including holm oak, juniper and pine forests.

The Norte de la Dehesa trail leads into the Dehesa de la Alfahuara, an old and well-preserved mixed forest of pines and holm oaks. Because the Dehesa de la Alfahuara was formerly a hunting ground of the Marquisate of Los Vélez, it was protected from excessive use. From María, there is a view of the rugged rock walls of the Sierra María; the peaks may be covered in snow.

The La Umbría del Mahimón trail passes through the Umbrías del Toril below the striking Peña de San Blasco, which reaches 1,742 m in height, and the more than 1,500-metre-high Umbría del Mahimón Chico, offering a wide panorama to the north.

Trails

The María–Barranco del Peral–Vélez-Blanco trail is a 10.50 km crossing, takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, and has a moderate difficulty level. The hiking trail runs along the edge of the nature park and passes through unusual landscapes, by the ruins of formerly inhabited farmhouses and an old quarry that has not been operated for many years.

The María–Cortijo de Perentín–María trail is a 3.95 km circular route, takes approximately 45 minutes, and has a low difficulty level. The trail to the Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza Hermitage is a 4.60 km circular route, takes approximately one hour, has a low difficulty level, and leads to the hermitage, its clear spring and the surrounding landscape.

The trail from the ruins of the Aduana to the Punta del Moral viewpoint and back is an 8.00 km circular route, takes approximately two hours, and has a moderate difficulty level; along the way, it passes an old lime kiln. The La Solana trail is a 5.00 km circular route from María, takes approximately 45 minutes, has a low difficulty level, and is designated for use throughout the year.

History

The Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación Church in María dates from the 16th century, has a single-nave layout and Mudejar decoration. The Casa de la Tercia in María dates from the 18th century.

The Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza Hermitage is one of the hermitages in María built from the late 16th century through the first decades of the 17th century. On 15 August, a romería is held in honour of the Virgen de la Cabeza at her sanctuary, attended by the people of María and from large parts of the Los Vélez district.

The Fiestas de la Virgen de la Cabeza in María include a procession on the Saturday before the last Sunday in April, during which the image is carried from the sanctuary to the parish church. The image of the Virgen de la Cabeza returns to its hermitage on the first Sunday in June.

Traditions

In María, tortas fritas are traditionally prepared during Carnival from flour and yeast, fried in plenty of oil and eaten hot with chocolate. Hornazos are traditionally eaten during the ascent of the Virgen de la Cabeza from María to her hermitage in early June.

Traditional dishes from María include Migas, Gachas, Ajo colorao, Ajo cabañi, Masa ralla, Gurullos and Tortas gachas con liebre. Traditional Christmas sweets from María include Alfajor, almond mantecados, Carrasca mantecados and Rollos de Pascua.

Traditional houses in María have openings to rooms and storage areas suitable for drying cured meats and other food products.

More destinations

Find more destinations in Garrucha, Balerma, Sorbas, Tabernas, Cuevas Del Almanzora, El Cortijo Grande and Uleila Del Campo.

To the higher-level travel overview: Almeria.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

El Puerto de Santa María: beaches, historic centre and wineries.