Fuente de las Piedras - Fuente del Arraijanal

The Fuente del Arraijanal is one of the main water sources from the aquifer located beneath the Cumbres de Nueva Carteya. Together with the Fuente de la B, situated very close by, they are the two major water sources in this part of the Egabrense municipal area. To reach it, a route has been designed that makes use of old paths, some of which are disused or almost lost, which wind through secluded spots in the Egabrense olive groves. The route starts at the popular Fuente de las Piedras, a former watering hole and resting place for livestock, whose spring has seen its flow diminish in recent years. Nevertheless, it is a traditional leisure and recreation area for the local population, equipped with seating and barbecues, which is visited by large numbers of people every week. From here, a succession of paths will take us across the A-318, the future motorway through the olive groves, and then across the Santa María stream via an old bridge which, although currently in ruins, does allow passage by taking advantage of the stream’s low water level. From here, our route will take us across the Llanos de Pavaloca to reach the Cortijo de la Corte, better known as El Castillejo, and lead onto the Encinilla footpath, one of the few livestock tracks where the original width has been preserved and respected. From here, we will take the Camino de la Alameda, which will lead us to the old farmhouse of the same name; we will pass through it and join the Camino de los Callejones, on the banks of the Hurtada stream. The final stretch of the route, largely lost due to intensive farming, will make us realise the importance and great heritage value that a municipality’s network of paths holds; we cannot afford to abandon them, let alone lose them altogether.