Introduction:

The following article was originally published in Andalucian based, English magazines but, as it is quite easy to fly into Granada airport for a long weekend, I thought the Challenge would be
of interest.

There are flights to Granada from Liverpool arriving at 21:30, Gatwick arriving at 18:10 and 10:55 and Stanstead arriving at 21:50, so if you are interested please email.





The Maroma Mountain Challenge.

Many years ago I won a picture with the title, " Challenges " followed by the words,
" Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory ''. Twenty or so years later I find I still enjoy a challenge and I compete regularly in cycling and running races in order to fulfill this need, ( as well as run a business which is always challenging ).

The beauty of competing in races is that there is an age category system which means that even as I get older, (now 56) I can race against people of a similar age, maybe beat them, improve on previous event times and even beat younger competitors.

Competition and challenges are what keep you fit and healthy and a challenge doesn't have
to be sport related, it can be anything you choose which requires you to get out of the comfort zone and make an effort. It needs to be achievable, enjoyable and something which you maybe thought about doing years ago but always managed to avoid at the last minute, ( like making a parachute jump, maybe )!!

When I lived in Competa, ( in the Axarquia region of the Costa del Sol ), I used to hear plenty of people talking about one day climbing Maroma, the mountain which dominates the skyline above the village. At 2069m it is the highest peak in the region, many people do climb it but
an awful lot, who could, don't. So maybe make it a goal for 2007 and do it.

For those who already have and are looking for further " local " challenges maybe the following will fit the bill.

The Maroma Mountain Challenge.

Over the past 6 years I have run and walked all over the Sierra Almijara, Tejeda and Alhama planning routes for my trail running and adventure racing clients and I have built up quite a collection of excellent routes. My idea of the " Challenge " was to link a selection of the routes to make one big, achievable circuit. The route was planned, written up, tested in sections and finally in November 2006 it was put to the test.

I invited my friend Mark Woolley, a top ultra runner who lives and works near Malaga, to join me and he came along with a team mate, Juan Fernandez Domenech, another good mountain runner who also wanted to test the route. Both Mark and Juan enjoy longer races and compete each year in the Ronda 101km, Pico Veleta 50km and the 155km Ultra Tour of Mont Blanc. Earlier this year Mark and his Jarapalos team set a record by running 80km from sea level in Salobreña to the summit of Mulhacen 3483m., so the Maroma Challenge would be a pleasant " short " training run.

The start and finish point for the Maroma Mountain Challenge is the El Ventorro Hospederia and Restaurant near Alhama de Granada. This is the base I use for larger groups and its use also provides an element of safety as when you 'sign in' to make the attempt your whereabouts for the day are known by the staff; and your safe return is also noted when you collect your certificate. You can also have a good meal and a drink on your return and hopefully by March the new balneario, Jacuzzi and cave complex will be completed so even a massage will be possible.

The Challenge covers 48km taking in Hell's Path, the Salto del Caballo and the peak of Maroma 2069m.

We set off at 9.15am on what was to be the most perfect day possible, clear blue sky, sunshine and no wind, the early morning frost soon cleared as we ran steadily along the GR7 long distance path following the river before cutting across to skirt an ugly, ( aren't they all ) quarry which we soon left behind as we entered the area leading into Hell's Path.

The path, which links the Axarquia and coast to the Granada region is an old trade route which follows the line of the Rio Marchant. The hard climb takes you via a huge ruin to the pass over into the Axarquia and from the 1550m point we had a magnificent view of the mountains, Axarquia and the coast with the Mediterranean gleaming in the sun and fishing boats clearly visible off the shores of Nerja.

From here we headed west taking the forest ridge path which climbs steadily following the basic line of the Malaga / Granada province boundary. The path splits after 5km and we took the right fork which leads you to a gate, the entrance to a large high plateau with fantastic views to either side. From here the snow capped Sierra Nevada was clearly visible to the east as we continued to head west towards what looks to be an impossible rock barrier. The " barrier " is the start of the Salto del Caballo and the barely visible track " unfolds " as you progress, scrambling and climbing along a narrow ridge before dropping down below the summit to a " hidden spring ". The water is excellent and the position of the spring is just right for a top up and rest before making the final assault on the Maroma summit. It also comes just before an " escape route ".

( I have marked water sources and escape routes on the Challenge map. Escape routes are necessary just in case of problems or bad weather. Maroma can be a dangerous peak if the cloud comes down and quite a few people have lost there lives underestimating its difficulty ).

As we left the spring the path swung right around what had appeared to be another cliff barrier and we soon came out on the plateau area many people who make the standard climb up from Robledal will recognize. It is a wide area covered with the very spiky 'hedgehog grass' and includes a fenced off area which protects groups of small pine trees from being eaten or damaged by the local mountain goats. We crossed this area climbing towards the boundary posts which run along the cliff edge, continued along this rocky edge from which there are more fantastic views and began the final climb to the featureless summit dome of Maroma.

It had taken us 5 hours including stops to make the summit, the 30km point, which saw us well over half way with " only " down hill to go. The summit was quite busy with assorted walkers including some we knew so we stopped, taking shelter from the cold summit wind behind the tower which marks the top and had some food and drink before heading for " home ".

The route back takes the northern edge of the summit dome following a line of wooden posts. The posts were placed in 2005 and are a little too far apart if you intend to rely on them as they can be hard to see but eventually you come to the main path down to Robledal. The top section of this path zig zags below sheer cliffs and is in shadow most of the time. This makes it dangerous in the winter months when it is often the only snow and ice covered section of a usually clear route. It faces north, is very narrow and should be avoided if we have snow unless you have walking crampons and poles. For this reason I don't recommend doing the Challenge if we have heavy snow, ( which is rare but possible ).

The descent to Robledal is fairly straightforward, the track is marked by red paint marks, cairns and a few posts, care needs to be taken on one particular area of broken rock and along another steep descent through the trees but eventually you reach a wider track and an information board. Here we turned right and raced down to the Robledal Alto recreation area and onto the wide dirt road where, at the 41 km point we reached the junction at Robledal Bajo where we turn right to once again join a section of the GR7.

Only 7km to go and more or less downhill. Legs tired but maintaining a good pace we soon covered this final section and sprinted home along the only section, ( less than 1km ) of tarmac which makes up the circuit.

The 48km challenge had taken us 7 hours 54 minutes including stops. A tough but rewarding day out.

I planned the Maroma Mountain Challenge with trail runners in mind but it would be possible for long distance walkers to do it, although they would need to allow at least 12 hours. A marked up map of the route and instructions ( English and Spanish ) should be available at the El Ventorro and also at the Ayuntamiento / Tourist information office in Alhama de Granada.

As the El Ventorro is closed on a Monday it may be best to avoid that day but if you are interested in attempting it please email me at info@axarsport.com or telephone 958 36 37 66 so I can make the necessary registration available ( 10 euros ) and supply your " Challenge " certificate.

For details of other Team Axarsport programmes please check our websites, www.axarsport.com or www.trailrunspain.com for 2007 Cycling tours, Trail running tours and fixed base weeks.

R. Paul Bateson