Andalucia Day 40 El Torcal and Montilla Wine

Back to El Torcal, but this time it's a lot warmer, there's some sun and we know where we're going. We take what used to be the red path, and is now offered as a guided route, but we make our own way, which winds its way up towards the part of the park which overlooks Antequera. On the way we see several ammonites and also the sombrero rock.

We get up to the highest point, there's nothing difficult, you just have to be a bit careful not to slip because the rocks are slippery. The views of the rocks are always incredible, myriad shapes and forms.

Back at the car we have a picnic lunch of leftovers and set off for Cordova via Montilla. Montilla is initially promising because we park easily near a pretty park and it looks to have a nice historical centre of church and castle, but then everything is closed. You can't even get near enough to walk around the outside the church and castle. The only bar where we have a drink and tapa is also closing and doesn't do coffee. In need of caffeine we find a place, definitely in need of TLC, back near the car park.

On the way out we decide to stop at Bodegas Cruz Conde. An excellent idea! The girl who is in the Bodega shop is exceptionally kind and friendly, explaining the difference between their wine and that of the Jerez triangle. Basically the Jerez area copied their system of making wine and buys much of the Pedro Ximénez grapes it needs from producers in the Montilla area but has managed to keep the  designation of origin of sherry for itself. She is passionate about the wine they produce, encouraging us to taste it and rightly so, it isn't expensive either. We come away pleased with two boxes.

Last stop is the Municipal campsite in Cordova. Cheap it is not, because it costs more than the apartment we just left, but it's quiet, clean, free of dust, wind and insects and just a short walk from the centre. We set up the tent and plan our visit to Cordova.

Kilometres by car: 170

Kilometres on foot: 11