Our walk (with a little bit of scrambling!) to the summit of Chamizo is rewarding in many ways. Chamizo itself is the highest point on the range of mountains that form the Central Limestone Arch, stretching some 50 kilometres from west to east, and is also part of a smaller group of mountains, the Sierra del Jobo. We are going to make an ascent from the east, with a short scramble to the summit, where we can take time to enjoy the almost unobstructed 360° view.
On our drive up from the village of Villanueva del Rosario we can begin to see the scale of the mountains that form this imposing chain; Sierra de San Jorge, Sierra Gorda, Sierra del Jobo, and the Sierra Camorolos. In the centre are the cliff faces and gullies that drop from Chamizo, which should give you a tingle of excitement!
Parking at the ‘Nacimiento del Chorro’ we will follow the Sendero de Hondonero along the side of the stream, slowly gaining height as we pass the limestone rockfaces, often twisted and broken, and with evidence of what once was a system of caves.
Passing through the Aleppo pines we arrive at the Hondonero meadow. Pausing for a moment we can appreciate the history of this meadow. Prehistoric hunter-gatherers once settled here, during the Roman period it was used as a hunting ground, livestock was grazed here after the reconquest, and now it is used for olive groves.
Leaving the meadow, we start a contoured ascent below the base of Chamizo, cutting our way across to the eastern end, arriving where a natural weakness allows us to make our ascent. We have a short climb from here to the summit, taking care as the path is steep and loose underfoot. As we break out from the final rock gully the summit is just a few metres away, and upon arrival we have our first view south towards the coast, and if conditions are right, maybe we will glance the coast of Africa!
We will enjoy our time on the summit and when ready we will continue west along this rocky and jagged ridge. The ridge eventually drops to a grassy plateau, after which we will join a small path back down to the Hondonero meadow, and then using the GR249 route, make our way back to the start. If the day has been warm, then a refreshing dip of the feet in the cold stream makes for a perfect way to end the day.
