Cape Trafalgar - Canos de Meca to Barbarte Circuit

Lyndon and Jennifer Jolley

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This forest and clifftop walk has something for everyone, natural beauty, ornithological and historic interest and some of the most dramatic sea views over Cape Trafalgar and The Strait to Africa. The Acantilado Natural Park is one of the newest and smallest of the Natural Parks of Andalucia, created to preserve the unique habitat of some of the last remaining umbrella pine forests that once covered much of the Costa de la Luz. The park is strategically situated on one of the main seabird migratory routes from Northern Europe to Africa and the clear waters below the cliffs are a major feeding station for seabirds before they make the crossing of The Strait. For this reason the park limits extend offshore to ensure that the whole ecosystem is preserved. The clifftop also provides panoramic views over the Roman tuna-fishing ports of Barbate and Zahara de Los Atunes to the east and to the west Cape Trafalgar, where Lord Nelson met his death.

The walk starts at Canos de Meca and heads inland up the sandy wooded slopes to the forest lookout point overlooking the whole of the Natural Park and then down to the hamlet of San Ambrosio where it joins the birdwatching route from Vejer to Jarillo. This route is followed for 3.5km before cutting back to the coast at the start of the cliff walk from Barbate to Canos de Meca. After visiting the 16th Century Torre del Tajo, the walk returns via the coast to Canos de Meca with fine views over Cabo de Trafalgar and the bay of Conil de la Frontera, the site of the famous sea battle.

Spain - Southern Spain - Cadiz - Acantilado

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Great Views, Nature Trail, Sea, Wildlife, Woodland
10/12/2013 - Keith LEES

Completed this walk in September 2013. At the start there is a new one-way road that starts just beyond the carpark. Follow this road for 200m and then turn right uphill as per the instructions. The walk is very enjoyable but there is some uphill walking on loose sand. The views on the last sections along the coast are spectacular.