Silleta del Padul and Piedra Ventana

The route starts near Dílar, in in the eastern part of the village, just by the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, by an almond grove. You can take water for your journey from the spring, and then set off southwards from the back of the Ermita (chapel) along a track that climbs gently among almond and olive groves. After 1.5 km, you will reach a pond. Leave the farmed areas behind and follow a path that takes you up to a pinewood. The terrain soon changes to dolomite sandstone and the surrounding vegetation adapts itself to the different type of soil. You will soon reach the Cabreros pass where, next to the ruins of an old farmhouse, you will see some wide fields that were once used to grow cereal crops. 

Follow the steep track through the gorse scrub, until reaching the last hill that leads up to the Cerro de la Silleta (1520 metres). To reach this point you have climbed 560 metres, so do take a well-deserved rest and enjoy the splendid views. From here you can see several peaks over 3000 metres high; the Veleta (3396 metres), Tajos de la Virgen (3342–3179 metres), Cartujo (3150 metres) and the Caballo (3011 metres, extending out to the Alpujarra district). 

At this point leave the circular track to take a look at the rock formation Piedra Ventana. It is a naturally-formed stone arch that has been carved out by erosion.

Walk eastwards along the Sierra del Manar. At various points along the way you will come across lookout points where you can enjoy the beautiful mountain landscapes. You will be able to see the peaks of Corazón de la Sandía (1872 metres) and the Trevenque (2083 metres), the Alayos de Dílar, Vega de Granada and the Valle de Lecrín. Up until now you have been following the line of the Valle de Lecrín, which leads to the Puerto de Mala Mujer. Once you have passed this point, you return to the slopes of the Río Dílar.  

Leave the path temporarily to follow a broad forest track. After 700 metres you will come across the Ermita Vieja (literally the Old Chapel). Its name comes from the fact that until 1796 it housed the image of the Virgin of the Snows, which is now kept in the Ermita Nueva (New Chapel). You can refill your water supplies here at the fountain. Returning back to the path, head down in a north easterly direction among scrubland and reforested pines, along a track that leads to a broad dry river. Cross the sandy bed and get ready for the final challenge of this route, which is to climb up to the Poca Leña hill. From here again you can see wide crop fields, the Ermita Nueva in the background, and the clay path back to where you started.