Minas de Berja Trail - PR A 336

The Minas de Berja Trail - PR-A 336 gives us the chance to discover the most important mining remains of the Almerian district of Berja, which are advisable to admire from a distance.

The path climbs first in a fresh, shady area, after separating from the Lavaderos Trail PR-A 337, about 250 metres from the exit of Castala Periurbano Park. It crosses a young, very dense pine grove of Aleppo pines, which took over the slopes after a forest fire.

The first mine that we come across is called Azogue, known as the mercury mine as it is the only mine on the route that was not used for extracting lead. In the section coinciding with the Lavaderos PR-A 337 Trail, it runs alongside the remains of an old limestone quarry, in the Paraje de los Cuatro Amigos. Just a few metres from the panel indicating the start of the SL-A 58, it separates from Los Lavaderos trail again and enters one of the most beautiful areas of the mountains.

In this section, there are still remains of original holm oak, with some examples of large canopied trees. First, you pass by the Julio César mine. To reach the Esperanza, it is necessary to go about 130 metres off the path. After reclaiming the main path, which again coincides with the PR-A 337, we reach the Memoria mine where the paths separate again.

The path starts to level out as it passes below the impressive peaks of Los Lavaderos of El Segundo (lead and fluorite mining), until it reaches the final descent, which again joins the PR-A 337. Among the mines, Benito and Café con Leche also join up during a small section, the SL-A 58.

The path runs next to the Rambla de Julbina by a beautiful pine grove, crossing its course several times, observing the dams built to avoid erosion, until it reaches the forest track, which after about 800 m you will reach the starting point, again joined with PR-A 337.