Tucked deep inside the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park, El Acebuchal has one of the most remarkable backstories of any village in Andalusia. Abandoned in the 1940s and left to ruin for decades, it was painstakingly rebuilt by descendants of its original residents — earning it the nickname "El Pueblo Perdido", the Lost Village. Today it's reachable only on foot or by 4x4, which is exactly what makes hiking there so special.
The circular route
The classic hike is a true village-to-village loop that starts and finishes right in El Acebuchal itself — no complicated car shuttles or stretches of boring asphalt. From the village, the historic Ruta Venta Cebolleros climbs gently through pine-scented mountain terrain, once used by muleteers transporting goods between settlements. The trail continues up to higher passes beneath peaks like El Cisne and Cerro Lucero, winding through the protected pine forests of the Natural Park with wide views opening up towards the Mediterranean far below.
The descent via Puerto de Barranquillo
The return leg crosses the panoramic spine at Puerto de Barranquillo and loops back via the high mountain saddle of Collado Pan Duro, following a scenic ridge with magnificent limestone views before dropping into a shaded riverbed path that leads straight back into the village.
The reward: lunch in the village
This is the part guests talk about most. Back in El Acebuchal, the trail ends at the doorstep of the celebrated Restaurante El Acebuchal, known across the region for its slow-cooked mountain meats, homemade fresh bread, local olive oil and regional wine. Few hikes in Andalusia combine three hours of genuine wilderness trekking with a lunch this good.
Practical information
- Distance: around 10 km, circular
- Ascent: approximately 460 metres
- Duration: approximately 6 hours, including a relaxed lunch
- Difficulty: moderate — accessible to regular walkers with a few steeper sections
Pick-up and transport from Nerja to the starting point is included, along with a certified mountain guide and the full traditional lunch. Happy World Adventure offers this as a bookable day tour — see the Hiking Tours page for prices and dates.