El Faro de la Alcaidesa: A Weekend Walk

Away from the beach towels and sun hats that swarm the beach of Alcaidesa all whole year round, the lone tower that is Faro de Carbonera, stands in its quiet corner high up the hill with the Sierra Bermeja in the background and overlooking the Mediterranean Sea that stretches out to the horizon.

One weekend, we decided to pay her a visit.

The easiest way would have been to follow the long shore that hugs the sandy beach eastwards until you reach Punta Mala where a walking path leads up to the tower. But we were feeling adventurous and took the car to follow the track that borders the development through a dirt road, passing through a menacing military outpost before eventually parking a few meters off the lighthouse.

This is not a recommended course to take. It isn't a pleasant trip and there are no fantastic views along the way that would make up for it (although there were dog walkers and people picking golf balls that went over the fence).

But if you follow the flat and wide track that leads to the lighthouse where you can let a child loose without a fuss, you will be distracted by some fascinating wild flowers along the path. And the views that look out to the sea towards the Rock of Gibraltar and the Atlas Mountains of Morocco are spectacular even on a cloudy day.

If you want to carry on towards the beach, you can follow the path that winds downwards, passing through a carpet of spring flowers sprawling by the hillside amidst the backdrop of the urbanisations of Alcaidesa and the golf course beside it. 

And if you are not keen on the trek back where the car is parked, you can opt to take the beach route, although if you are the unlucky one to take the car back, you will be beaten off to get to the viewpoint at the turn-off just before the chiringuito. This is of those few times when the modern modes of transport is no match to a good old walk by the beach.