As with stage one I was walking this stage and then returning home at the end of the day rather than staying in Jimena de la Frontera. However, if you intend to stay in Jimena there are a few accommodation options available.
Jimena de la Frontera (or at least its suburb, Los Angeles) lies on the Algeciras to Bobadilla railway line so staying in Jimena and returning there by train after your walk each evening is something to consider. There are currently four daily trains in each direction – the Renfe website has full details.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended I may receive a commission. While clicking these links won’t cost you any money, it will help to keep this site going. Thank you for your support, I really appreciate it.
Stage Two. San Martin del Tesorillo to Jimena de la Frontera
Date: Friday 19 April 2024
Start Point: Parroquia de San Martin de Tours, San Martin del Tesorillo
End Point: Avenida los Deportes, Jimena de la Frontera
Distance Walked: 11.57 miles (18.6 kms)
Time Taken: 3 hours 27 minutes
Weather: Cloudy
Stage two started where I’d left off, at the church of San Martin de Tours in San Martin del Tesorillo on Plaza de la Constitución. Unlike Sunday when I’d finished stage one, it was very quiet (it was Friday afternoon) so I fired up my Wikiloc app and set off – let’s see if I could get through this stage without veering off track! (Spoiler alert, no I couldn’t!).
Getting out of San Martin del Tesorillo was straightforward and, after a short stretch of road walking, I was soon on a lane which forms part of the Ruta Lomas Ganaderas. The area between the Hozgarganta and Guadiaro rivers is known as the ‘lomas ganaderas’ or cattle hills and the retinto cattle are a staple of the Andalucian landscape around here.
It was a nice flat easy walk but all that was soon about to end! After another official way marker I’d entered the El Tesorillo wind farm – from here, the only way is up!
As I climbed higher the views that unfolded were spectacular, despite the cloud cover, and the wind turbines grew ever closer. There are twelve turbines in this particular wind farm, each 80 metres high and with a diameter of 110 metres.
The turbines are a pretty impressive sight, not to mention the sound of the blades cutting through the air.
As you would expect for a wind farm, it was extremely windy the closer I got to the top to the extent that, at one point, the wind whipped my baseball cap from my head – thankfully I had to chase it uphill and not downhill!
Although it was steep in parts, the climb didn’t seem too difficult as it was mostly on a gravel path so I didn’t feel that I needed my hiking poles for this stage.
The closer I got to the top the better the views were getting. As always, I made sure to turn around to check out the views behind me – this is also my favourite tactic for getting my breath back!
Now it was time to start the descent. It was a pretty gradual downhill for a few miles before getting a bit steeper as the main road between San Martin del Tesorillo and Jimena appeared.
It was now flat walking along the road which wasn’t at all busy for a Friday afternoon. There’s a small venta (La Fuente) on the right which appears to be permanently closed. A shame, as it would make a welcome stop along the way.
The road carried on past fincas and cortijos with cows grazing in the fields, proving exactly why they call this area the cattle hills.
As I walked along the road here Wikiloc advised me that I’d gone off the trail again. I hadn’t noticed any yellow arrows directing me off the main road so I just continued walking along the road and soon spotted an arrow painted on a road sign so I wasn’t concerned.
As it turns out, I’d missed the path which is a short cut to Jimena but, having read other people’s reports of this stage, the bit I missed is apparently pretty overgrown with brambles so perhaps missing the turn off was a blessing. I think I’d rather take my chances with a car or two than battle through a narrow path of spiky bushes!
Sticking to the main road meant it was a nice easy walk to the Los Angeles neighbourhood. The railway station is here in Los Angeles and, after crossing the tracks, I continued as far as the turn off to Jimena itself where I called it a day and where I’ll continue for stage three.
Jimena de la Frontera
The Camino doesn’t actually go into Jimena de la Frontera but, if you’re staying here, or you have time before your bus/train then it’s definitely worth exploring.
To reach the village, you need to go up the hill past the roundabout with the statues of two deer, through the newer part of the village, and then climb the steps to Plaza de la Constitución.
Another of Andalucia’s ‘pueblos blancos’ (white villages) Jimena de la Frontera is a jumble of narrow streets overlooked by the ruins of a Moorish castle. It’s quite a climb to the castle but, if you still have some energy left after your walk, I’d recommend it.
The views from the castle are excellent and, if you’re lucky, you might spot vultures on the rocky outcrops surrounding the area.
Highlights of Stage Two of the Via Serrana
I really enjoyed the walk up to the wind farm and seeing the huge turbines up close and, even though it was a cloudy day, the views from the top made the climb worthwhile.
Lowlights of Stage Two of the Via Serrana
As with stage one there was a fair bit of road walking, particularly towards the end but that was my own fault as I’d missed the turn off a few miles before Jimena. As it was, the road wasn’t especially busy so I didn’t feel unsafe at any time.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this – I’ll be adding more updates as and when I complete each stage so watch this space or, even better, sign up below to receive them directly to your inbox.
Happy hiking!
Why not pin this for later and follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more inspiration, photos and updates?
