route:  Linear Length:  6,2 Km Technical/fisical level:  Medium - Low Duration:  4,5 h More information  &  Bookings | Index

We start our walk at the Yerbabuena beach in Barbate (Cádiz) and we finish at the beach in Los Caños de Meca having crossed the La Breña Natural Park from one end to another. The route presents very little difficulty as it goes along the top of the spectacular hundred metre high sea cliffs known as El Tajo de Barbate.

The vegetation along the top of the cliffs is an extensive pine forest of umbrella pine with the odd Allepo pine accompanied by dense Mediterranean scrub comprised of lentisc, savine, juniper, coscoja and rosemary. The cliffs themselves provide huge nesting facilities for large numbers of birds such as cattle egrets and yellow-legged gulls and to a lesser extent to rock doves, jackdaws and common starlings. The path leads gently upwards from the beach till half way along we encounter the Torre del Tajo look-out tower, constructed in the 16th century. It is one of the beacon watch towers built along this coastline to warn of the proximity of pirates. The balcony by the tower will surprise us with its spectacular view: we will be able to see the bay of Barbate, the Cabo de Gracia cape in Zahara de los Atunes and straight in front of us the African coastline from Tangiers to the Jebel Musa mountain.

Our route continues through the pine forest and then starts to descend. The end is especially beautiful as Los Caños de Meca appears amongst the pine trees with its lighthouse and white beaches as a backdrop. In total it has been about four hours long, an incredible excursion which if you wish can finish with a swim at the beach in Los Caños de Meca. Do not forget your camera!