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Mills Trail near Alcalá de los Gazules

The Ruta de los Molinos, or Mills Trail, is a scenic hiking route I explored after visiting the charming town of Alcalá de los Gazules. Nestled within the Alcornocales National Park in southern Spain’s Cádiz province, this trail stretches just over two kilometers from start to finish. The landscape is exactly what you’d expect from this region—lush greenery and rugged rocky terrain.



Green landscape with clouds in the background



The trail follows a mostly straight path, with a gentle incline that takes you from 95 meters to a peak of 163 meters above sea level. Thankfully, there are no steep sections, making it a pleasant and manageable hike.




Trail trough a rocky landscape




Despite its name, I didn’t spot any mills along the way. Apparently, they’re hidden behind fences, and visiting them requires prior permission. The route alternates between open fields and narrow, enclosed paths, and about halfway through, you’ll come across some stunning rock formations that are worth pausing to admire.







Rocky landscape
Interesting rocks, on which I spotted some Griffon Vultures


Griffon Vulture
Griffon Vulture



Birdsong accompanies you for much of the hike, as there’s no traffic nearby to disturb the peace. The only interruptions were the occasional fellow hikers, of whom there were quite a few. The trail ends at a tranquil spot marked by a small stream surrounded by dense trees. I lingered here for a while, relaxing on the rocks and snapping some photos—it’s the perfect place to unwind.






A singing Greenfinch
A singing Greenfinch


Goldfinch on a fence
A beautiful Goldfinch on a fence


Goldfinches were the most common birds I encountered, adding a splash of color to the experience. If you’re in the area and looking for an easy hike with lovely views, I highly recommend checking out this trail!




A male European Stonechat
A male European Stonechat



Male Common Chaffinch
Male Common Chaffinch

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