Acequia del Toril and the Alicún dolmens

Acequia del Toril and the Alicún dolmens

Add to My Granada

The short and easy walk runs through the area surrounding the spa of Alicún de las Torres. The tour gives you the opportunity to enjoy the lovely mineral rock wall that has formed hot water springs over the centuries.

By Bárbara Alcalde > Granada Hoy

The presence of hot water springs with temperatures of 35 degrees and the strategic position between two valleys has made this place ideal for human settlements all the way back to Prehistoric times. Remains from the Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods as well as from the Bronze Age and Argaric culture have been found here.

Nestled in the Sierra Nevada-Baza valley, the thermal springs are located near the Mencal hill, near the confluence of the Río Fardes and the Río Gor, tributaries of the Guadiana Menor. The landscape is lush and verdant, within a wild and arid environment, and isolated. There is little rainfall in this area, as it is characterised by a continental climate, but when it does rain, it is torrential.

The starting point of the walk is in front of the Hotel Reina Isabel. After heading up the road, take the dirt track until you reach a small limestone plateau with various dolmens, all still in very good condition. You can continue the journey along a pathway that crosses an ancient Palaeolithic settlement.

After this descent, the route runs alongside a strange natural formation, which is also partly man-made. It is a limestone wall formed over time by the precipitation and sedimentation of the mineral salts of the water that runs through here. What was in the Palaeolithic period just a simple irrigation system that used to carry water to the settlement is now 15 metres high and about 1 kilometre long.  It is thought to be the only one of its kind in the world.

Before ending the journey, follow a beautiful dirt track until you come to some vegetable plots. The route will take you to another group of dolmens before heading back towards the spa.