About the Area
Ferreirola and Villages of La Taha
The white washed village of Ferreirola, although
at a height of 1080 metres, is comfortably nestled in the
mountains. It is one of six villages belonging to La Taha,
the name given to the villages by the Moors during their expulsion
by the Christians.
The Moorish influence can still be seen in the irrigation
systems used in the terraced farming, and in the architecture
in the villages. Busquistar still has the remains of a Moorish
mosque.
Ferreirola, a quiet village at the end of the road, has been
completely untouched by tourism. There is one bar, run by
Mari-Jo, opposite a guitar maker’s workshop.
There are no shops, and provisions are delivered throughout
the week by van. Inger and Sepp lead walking holidays from
their delightful 18th Century farmhouse, Sierra Y Mar, and
it is possible to stay here if they are not fully booked.Goat’s
bells can often be heard as Juan the local shepherd takes
his flock to the pastures.
Walks around Ferreirola include the Geo 7, a path which runs
from Tarifa to Greece.
The valley is lush and fertile, providing groves of fig, olive,
almond, orange, and kiwi trees. Woodland paths meander through
chestnut and oak trees, with streams from the mountains and
waterfalls flowing to the river below.
The river starts above Trevelez, passing through the gorge
below Ferreirola, and in summer it is possible to swim in
the pools, or bask on the rocks. The walk across the river,
along a ridge on the hillside opposite, known locally as the
Elephant, gives splendid views of Ferreirola and the neighbouring
villages. The walk to the village of Busquistar takes in Ferreirola’s
threshing circle and the ‘fuente gaseosa’, a fountain
producing naturally gaseous water. In the opposite direction,
the path along the river leads to what is commonly known as
the old Roman bridge, before a short ascent to Fondales.
Marissa’s bar in Mecinilla can provide welcome refreshment
after the climb on the route back to Mecina. Mecina itself
offers a variety of bars, including Jean-Claude’s vegetarian
guest house/restaurant L’Atelier, and Carlos’,
which is ideal for musicians to gather round the piano. Hotel
Albergue de Mecina has a lovely terrace by the pool to relax
and enjoy the scenery, and Victor the owner is a very hospitable
host. Alternatively, Mecina can be reached by following the
one and only road out of Ferreirola. Sheep permitting, the
walk takes fifteen minutes.
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