El Fuerte

Distance: 7.5 km Elev Gain:  700m This is a great hike from Frigiliana to the summit of El Fuerte, at 963m.  The hike takes us up the narrow streets of Frigiliana, where we start the climb up above the town.  We pass by the remnants of an ancient system of aqueducts the Moors built to harness water from Rio Higueron and bring it down into town.  We also pass by a circular kiln used to make whitewash by heating limestone and baking it for 72 hours.  Once at the peak, we enjoyed the spectacular 360º views of the whole park and the Malaga coastline to the south and the snowcapped  1030m  Cresta de la Reina to the north.
At the summit it's time to reflect on some local history trying to imagine what was experienced on the 28th of  May 1569 when Christian soldiers stood, intent to expel the last Moors who had for a considerable amount of time taken refuge in the fort. Only after various attempts did Don Luis de Requesens, who landed on the coast in Nerja with more than 6000 soldiers and 25 ships, achieve success at the “Rock of Frigiliana” culminating in the expulsion of the last remaining Moors. Evidently three of the Spanish soldiers climbed the walls of the fort and mounted a white flag.  When the Moors who were defending saw the flag, they assumed their leaders had surrendered and gave up the fight, only to find out this was a hoax.  Reservoir and aqueduct system Cresta de la Reina Luna, Graham's puppy knows a good view Frigiliana in the distance