The best MTB trails around Paterna Del Río

Benecid is a small district of Fondón located in the heart of the Alpujarra Almeriense, in the upper valley of the Andarax River and at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. Its quiet streets and agricultural terraces offer an ideal setting for strolling with views of the ravine of the same name. Of particular note are the 16th-century Church of San Juan Bautista and several historic fountains, such as the one in the square and the Pábilo fountain. It also houses the Río Andarax Center, a unique ethnographic space showcasing the region's traditions.

Fondón is a village in the Alpujarra region of Almería, surrounded by mountains and nature. Its historic center is notable for the Mudejar church of San Andrés and several chapels, as well as fountains and stately homes. It is a good starting point for hiking trails such as the GR-142 or the GR-140, which pass through landscapes of orchards, ravines, and vineyards. Visitors can enjoy the opportunity to taste the local wines and traditional dishes such as "olla de trigo" (wheat stew) or "remojón" (remojón).

Padules is a small village in the Alpujarra region of Almería, surrounded by the Gádor and Nevada mountain ranges and crossed by the Andarax River. Its greatest natural attraction is Las Canales de Padules, a gorge with pools and waterfalls where you can walk among rock faces and cool off in summer. The town also preserves the 16th-century church of Santa María la Mayor and the Cross of Peace, which commemorates the end of the Alpujarra War. Furthermore, every year the locals organize a historical reenactment of this event, making the visit a unique cultural experience.

charming town 🎈😍

In the tourist information office there is a beautifully done exhibition about the history of the region (unfortunately I didn't understand the language). Check it out!

To stop the problem of rural exodus, the Almócita City Council has changed the administrative dynamics towards a model of participatory democracy with neighbors and associations to achieve the transformation of our global society by working on values at the local level. In this context, the Almócita en Transition project is born. It is based on the empowerment of citizens, their love for culture and the recovery of traditions, knowing and incorporating the social fabric and making known/preserving heritage in all its variants (material and immaterial), in addition to using it as a sign of identity. The valorization of cultural heritage in all its variants, municipal beautification through art, poetry and collaborative murals, as well as agroecology and permaculture actions are the pillars of the global project and the ecomuseum/village.

Almócita, a town with Arab roots founded by the descendants of Tubal, is known for the parish church of Our Lady of Mercy. The urban structure preserves traces of the Arab era, with streets that betray its origins. The Lower Quarter houses the old Jewish Quarter and the Moorish architecture in the city center is the best preserved in the province.

Town hall of Almócita (Alpujarras)