LITMIR.BIZ

      The village of Femés sits on a gap at the foot of Atalaya de Femés

      A goat farm is reached on a stony gap at Loma Pico de la Aceituna, at 414m (1358ft). Two mapboards and two signposts stand to the right. The PR LZ 09 heads right, and is easy to spot as it has a black plastic water pipe alongside. The PR LZ 10-11 heads left, followed on Walk 2 and Walk 3. The path crosses the steep and rocky Pico de la Aceituna, and while it is technically easy to walk, you cannot afford to trip or stumble. The rock comes in pastel shades, exposed to the elements by serious over-grazing. The view down the Barranco de la Higuera extends along the coast to built-up resorts and distant Arrecife. Despite the steepness of the slope, the path runs gently down and up, squeezing past prickly pears at one point.

      Rise and cross a stony gap at 441m (1447ft), then follow the path round the steep, rocky slopes of Pico Redondo. The water pipe still runs alongside, and views stretch towards Playa Blanca and Fuerteventura. There are more prickly pears but otherwise the mountainside is bare and over-grazed. When a fork is reached above Degollada del Portugués, keep left and follow the path uphill, crossing a broad and stony shoulder around 440m (1445ft). The path descending to the right is used on Walk 4. The views are lost as the path zigzags downhill. The ground is entirely stony, dotted with a few tabaibal. Walk along a crest to a tumbled drystone enclosure and a marker post. Turn left and zigzag down into the Barranco de la Casita, passing a few prickly pears and crossing the bed around 240m (790ft).

      The path climbs quickly to a little shelter beside an old rainwater collector, where a left turn leads gently up to a broad gap covered in bright stones, where there are also old marker posts, at 285m (935ft). At this point, it is well worth turning right to follow a path, or a track running parallel, along a gentle, stony crest dotted with tabaibal. The summit of Morro de la Loma del Pozo is crowned with a cairn and prickly pears at 324m (1063ft). It is possible to continue along the crest, descending towards the coast, to link with coastal paths. Enjoy fine views of Los Ajaches, with Arrecife, Lobos and Fuerteventura in the distance. Double back to the broad gap of bright stones and be sure to follow a path, not a track, down into the Barranco de la Higuera. The path runs gradually down across a rugged slope, then rises towards a pylon where a right turn leads down to a three-way signpost at around 260m (855ft). Walk 2 is joined here.

      Turn left and follow a path towards the rock-walled head of the barranco. Swing right; the path is crudely paved in places, gradually rising across a steep and rocky slope. Stones and boulders are scattered everywhere, but the way ahead is obvious, exploiting soft beds of rock and eventually returning to the goat farm at Loma Pico de la Aceituna. Simply walk down the access track and road to return to Femés.

WALK 2

      Femés and Pico de las Flores

      This short, circular walk takes in the Barranco de la Higuera and rugged little mountains alongside the Valle de Femés, between Las Casitas and Femés. Apart from a rugged descent soon after starting, most of the other paths are fairly easy and offer splendid views around the mountain range of Los Ajaches.