Zuheros

Yesterday, with a free day ahead of us we decided to explore the little village of Zuheros tucked away in the northern corner of the Subbetica Natural Park which is on our doorstep - what a jewel we found! This typical Spanish pueblo blanco nestles in the shadow of the rocky wall of the Sierra with some amazing views from the miradors we discovered as we walked from the lower part of the village through tiny winding streets to the very top - the views were absolutely breathtaking and we would have reached an even higher point had the castle been open!



Much to our delight and surprise (as it was a very sleepy village that time of day with nothing whatsoever open) we happened upon a restaurant right at the top just beside the castle with incredible views from the terrace. We spent a wonderful two hours over a 3 course lunch (most indulgent for us!) as much to sample the typically local dishes on the menu as an excuse to linger longer! Having never eaten goat, I was dubious but this was my chance - it was an excellent choice - very much like lamb and absolutely delicious.

We finally managed to tear ourselves away from the peace and quiet of that terrace and those fantastic views - having first purchased some local olive oil for our salads! We meandered through the tangle of little streets of this most attractive and delightful village before arriving back at our car and heading off up the steep corkscrew of a road to the top of the rocky sierra towering over Zuheros. We found a mirador at 1,000 metres offering spectacular views down to the village and across the Subbetica Park


......... then it was further onward and upward until we finally reached the limit of our four wheels and 4 legs - and ran out of road and pathways!


We were exhausted but delighted with our day and our find!

It's amazing how sometimes setting out with little or no expectation, what the day can have in store!

With thoughts of adding Zuheros to our list of 'must see' places when friends and family visit, today we decided to search out a route using more of the minor roads running through the heart of the Subbetica Park which would make for an even more spectacular drive to Zuheros. We were doing very well until we turned off and found ourselves on an unmade track - initially believing we had taken a wrong turn, we soon realised this was it - this was the road! We drove some miles before realising that without a 4 wheel drive this was definitely not a good idea and certainly would not be particularly pleasurable for passengers - so it was turn around and bumpty bump back from whence we'd come! However, we did discover the perfect little place for lunch with table and chairs set out under the shade of an apricot tree - just beckoning us in - just as well the apricots weren't quite ripe for picking - there may have been a few less on the tree after we'd left!