## Cerro de la Mezquita: High Point of Sierra Cabrera

Cerro de la Mezquita is the highest peak in the Sierra Cabrera range, rising to roughly 960–962 meters above sea level above the town of Turre in Almería, Andalusia. de Almería

Despite its name, the mountain is not named for an actual mosque on the summit. Local historical sources explain that it likely honors Reinaldo de Almezquita, an early modern alcaide (governor) of Mojácar who held rights over Sierra Cabrera and helped drive its repopulation after the medieval period. – Guia del Levante Almeriense

For hikers and cyclists, this is a serious objective: a paved access road that was fully asphalted in 2012 climbs to a radar and antenna installation near the top, with ramps that reach around 28–30% gradient in the steepest sections. Roads

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## Where Exactly Is Cerro de la Mezquita?

– Region: Levante Almeriense, eastern Almería province, Andalusia, Spain
– Nearest town: Turre (municipality that includes the peak)
– Mountain range: Sierra Cabrera, a coastal range just inland from Mojácar and Garrucha Almería
– Elevation: ~960 m (sources give 959–962 m) de Almería

From the summit area, route descriptions and local guides consistently mention wide views across the Levante coast and interior: Carboneras, Campohermoso, the Cabo de Gata area, and inland valleys around the Río Aguas. de Almería

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## Hiking Routes Around Cerro de la Mezquita

### PR-A 435 “Cortijadas de Sierra Cabrera” and Summit Variants

Cerro de la Mezquita sits inside a small network of marked hiking trails, especially the PR-A 435 Cortijadas de Sierra Cabrera, which links several historic cortijadas (hamlets) such as Los Peralicos, El Dondo, Cufría and Los Moralicos. | Rutas del Mundo

Key, well-documented options:

– PR-A 435 base loop (no summit)
– Distance: about 11.8 km
– Elevation gain: ~494 m
– Type: Circular route from the recreation area Los Peralicos
– Terrain: rural tracks (many asphalted) with some sections of footpath
– Waymarking: white–yellow PR signs and vertical posts; described as generally well signposted
– Notable: almost no shade, with explicit recommendations to avoid very hot, sunny days | Rutas del Mundo

– PR-A 435 variant including Cerro de la Mezquita and Cerro Arráez
– Distance: 16.7 km
– Elevation gain: ~721 m
– Highest point: Cerro de la Mezquita, 962 m; second peak Cerro Arráez, 919 m | Rutas del Mundo
– Time: ~5 h 30 min walking for an average hiker
– Character: moderate technical difficulty but sustained ascent, especially near the summit.

Another documented circular route from Los Peralicos that includes the cima Mezquita is about 13.7 km with ~625 m of positive elevation gain, also rated “moderado”. | Rutas del Mundo

### What the Terrain Is Actually Like

Route descriptions emphasize that, although Sierra Cabrera is not forested anymore (its cork oak and holm oak woods were largely removed by the 18th century), the slopes are covered in dense Mediterranean scrub: broom, espino (thorny shrubs), rockrose, rosemary, thyme, palmetto, lentisk, wild olive and other hardy species. | Rutas del Mundo

Because the vegetation is so dense, off-trail travel is described as difficult; hikers rely on existing paths and tracks. | Rutas del Mundo

Several descriptions call Sierra Cabrera an “isla verde”—a “green island” in the otherwise dry Levante Almeriense—thanks to slightly higher rainfall and moisture from the sea. | Rutas del Mundo

### Protected Area Status

The circular routes that loop around Cerro de Cufría and approach the Mezquita road run entirely inside the Zona Especial de Conservación Sierra de Cabrera–Bédar (ES6110005), part of the EU Natura 2000 network. | Rutas del Mundo

That status is important if you’re planning activities that might impact the environment (e.g., off-road driving, wild camping, or drone flying); current regulations should be checked with local authorities before your trip.

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## Cycling the “Inhumane” Road Climb

For road cyclists, Cerro de la Mezquita has become known as a brutal, fully paved ascent:

– The summit area stands at about 959–960 m. Roads
– The access road is narrow, asphalted, and steep, with documented ramps up to 28–30% in the final section. Roads
– Cycling resources and local ride reports describe it as an “inhumane climb”, but note that the surface is suitable for a road bike and traffic is generally very light. Roads

Because of those gradients, this is not a beginner climb. The steepest ramps arrive near the top where the antennas and radar installation stand, so you can’t simply “spin it out” at the end—good gearing and confident descending skills are essential.

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## Summit Area: Radar, Antennas and Views

Multiple sources agree on a few specific summit details:

– The top section of the access road ends near a fenced military/radar installation associated with Spain’s Programa de Defensa “Santiago”, installed around 2012. | Rutas del Mundo
– There is also a geodetic vertex (“vértice geodésico La Mezquita”) slightly apart from the highest fenced point; some route descriptions note that you must leave the main track briefly to reach it, along a short path through scrub. | Rutas del Mundo
– Guides aimed at local hikers and travelers highlight the panoramic views as the primary reason to come up here: on clear days you can see across Carboneras, the Campo de Níjar around Campohermoso, and a broad slice of the Almería coastline and interior ridges. de Almería

Because of the radar and antennas, access inside the fenced compound is restricted. Staying outside signed boundaries and respecting any prohibitions is important both legally and for safety.

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## How to Get to Cerro de la Mezquita

### Reaching the Sierra Cabrera Area

Turre sits at the foot of Sierra Cabrera, just a few kilometers inland from Mojácar and the Mediterranean coast.

Well-documented access details include:

– By road from Turre / Cortijo Grande / Cabrera
– Signposted access to the mountains, Cortijo Grande and the village of Cabrera is via the AL-150 road from Turre, which connects directly to the A-7 / AP-7 motorway network. Almeria
– Local driving reports confirm at least two main approaches up into the range: one road from Turre town and another via Cortijo Grande, both accessible by regular cars.

– No direct public transport into the high Sierra
– Information for Cortijo Grande, in the same valley used to access the Mezquita road, states explicitly that there is no direct public transport from Turre to Cortijo Grande, and that having a car is strongly recommended. Homes

For visitors starting in Almería city, one local guide using Google Maps estimates roughly 1 hour 15 minutes by car and about 82 km to reach Cerro de la Mezquita via Turre, underscoring that this is realistically a drive-in, then hike/ride type of outing. de Almería

Because road work and traffic patterns change, those drive times and distances should be treated as approximate and rechecked in a live map app before traveling.

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## Climate, Season and Safety Considerations

Turre and Sierra Cabrera sit in a warm Mediterranean climate with a high number of sunny days and only a short, milder “cooler” season. | Trails of the World

Route descriptions highlight a few concrete safety factors:

– Heat and exposure
– The PR-A 435 loop is described as having almost no shade, with explicit warnings not to attempt it on very hot, sunny days. | Rutas del Mundo

– Steep gradients on road and trail
– The final ramps on the asphalt access road reach around 28–30%, which can be challenging both uphill and downhill, especially for cyclists and drivers not used to steep mountain roads. Roads

– Protected area rules
– The area falls inside the Natura 2000 Sierra de Cabrera–Bédar conservation zone, where activities such as off-road driving, camping, or organized events may be regulated. | Rutas del Mundo

– Military and radar installation
– A radar site and associated infrastructure have been in place near the summit since around 2012; this is mentioned in multiple trail leaflets and reports. Entering fenced or signed areas is prohibited. | Rutas del Mundo

### Outdated or Changing Information (Important)

Some hiking resources explicitly note that parts of their information are “un poco desactualizada”—a bit out of date—particularly concerning one branch of the “sendero de los Trancos” connected to PR-A 435. | Rutas del Mundo

Given that:

– Signage, access roads, and even the exact state of the radar installation can change.
– Weather patterns (e.g., heatwaves, fire risk) in Andalusia have been shifting in recent years.

It’s wise to:

– Cross-check recent GPX tracks and comments on platforms like Wikiloc or AllTrails for this specific peak and route numbers. | Rutas del Mundo
– Verify any closures or restrictions with local authorities or current park notices before heading out.

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## Inclusive, Practical Takeaways

Based on current, verifiable information:

– Cerro de la Mezquita is suitable for fit walkers and experienced cyclists comfortable with steep gradients, exposure to sun, and remote terrain.
– The protected status (Natura 2000) and presence of a radar site mean you should be especially careful to stay on established routes, avoid disturbing wildlife, and respect all fences or military signage. | Rutas del Mundo
– Because there is no direct public transport into the high Sierra Cabrera area, planning that assumes access by car or organized tour/transfer is the most realistic and currently documented option. Homes

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## Contextual Reads on Real Journey Travels (Internal Links)

If you’re planning a broader Spain or Andalusia itinerary around this hike, these existing Real Journey Travels pages add useful context: