Cave House Country - exploring the Altiplano de Granada

Orce - Minas de Silex Circuit
Granada, Andalucía, Spain

This is a circular drive of under 30km on good, unmetalled, country roads. It starts and ends at the village of Orce and, passing through wonderful mountain scenery, it winds up to the site of ancient silex mines from which there are spectacular panoramic views.

Make your way to Orce and take the road out of the village signposted to Maria and then, on the right, to the Area Recreativa del Bosque. Note that the Minas de Silex are also signposted but, as some people have seen fit to turn some of them around, not all the signs can be trusted. Stay on the main country lane, heading into the Sierra de Orce-Maria.

Sierra Orce-Maria

Walkway at Minas de Silex

At about 9km from Orce you will pass through the Area Recreativa. This is a very pleasant public picnic area. Continue along the track, passing through pine woods with their abundant undergrowth of rosemary, thyme and gorse. At about 14km from Orce, turn left off the main track at the Minas de Silex sign and park your car. Here, from pine decking vantage points, you can admire wonderful views to the Sierra Nevada to the south and to the Sierra de Sagra to the north. It would appear that there were information plaques at these viewpoints but these have, unfortunately, been removed.

It is here, in the Sierra del Periate, on a hill which is around 1400m above sea level, that the prehistoric site of the Minas de Silex de la Venta is situated. Silex is a type of quartz which was mined for fashioning into tools in pre-Bronze Age times. The flint mines found here are probably 5,000 years old and are said to be the first discovered in Spain.

View to La Sagra

View to Sierra Nevada

In this particular area there is not much to see of the former mines other than some exploratory holes and many pieces of flintstone lying on the ground. The situation is, however, quite beautiful and the many pine trees would make excellent shading for a picnic stop.

[At this point, as an alternative to our recommended route, the rough track heading on up the hill can be followed, but this is probably only suitable for 4x4 vehicles or mountain bikes. The track takes you to an area where there is more evidence of the old mines and continues on to eventually return to Orce.]

Piece of Silex

Road back to Orce

To continue along our route, return to the main track and continue winding up through mountainous terrain to its highest point. Follow the track through lovely pine forests with the mountain peak of La Sagra visible ahead of you. In the spring months, you will eventually drive alongside fields of colourful wild spring flowers.

At about 12km from the viewpoint stop you will reach a Y-junction. Bear right and go over the crossroad. From here you continue winding down until you once more reach the village of Orce.

Please note that, wheareas all our recommended drives are normally perfectly safe for standard cars, special care should be taken after a period of bad weather. You are always advised to have plenty of drinking water with you as well as plenty of fuel in your tank. You may well find your mobile (cell) phone is out of network coverage.