Otivar is nestled within the foothills of the Sierra Cazalus and the park of Tejeda, La Almijara and Alhama. The drive up from Almuñécar gives you a tantalizing introduction to the lush green, mountain air of the village and is an ever-popular area for many visitors and locals alike.
Otivar is a white pueblo mountain village just 20 minutes inland from Almuñécar. Whether you simply want to drive up to Otivar for the scenery or the typically Spanish food served in the restaurants you will not be disappointed. For the more active visitors, there are plenty of places to walk, hike, swim, climb or paraglide.
On the drive up there are often keen cyclists making their way up or down making it all look very easy, just tiring to watch! For the more adventurous there is a well-known mountain bike trail down from Molineta to Otivar, a distance of 1600m through the mountain on rugged, stony, narrow pathways, it is certainly not for the fainthearted. Often in September, there is a championship mountain bike race through this area, with a palpable amount of excitement rising throughout the village.
Molineta Walk – Otivar
For the less daring, there’s a beautiful 1.5 kilometer walk in this same area beginning at the Otivar municipal swimming pool at the top of the village and on up to the white concrete track. The uphill walk opens up amazing scenery across the mountains and upwards into the pine trees beyond. During the walk there are small plaques guiding you along. Around halfway up you will see a sign marked ‘Area de Descanso’, this is directing you to a perfect rest area providing a birds-eye view of Otivar and the nearby old limestone quarry.
In the past, lime was used for building material if black, if white the lime was used to bleach the walls or interiors of houses. On reaching the end of the concrete track and turning right along the rough track you will find a limestone boiler (caleras). Situated in the mountains to facilitate a constant wood supply, the process could last several days, the temperature of them having to be kept at 1000 degrees C. Mule drivers (arrieros) then took the resultant lime down into the village. No doubt after your walk up and down back to Otivar you will be ready for a well-earned lunch and a glass of refreshing vino. The village has several restaurants to provide just that.
Read more Molineta Otivar walk.
Senderismo – Hiking Trails Otivar
- Route: Junta de Los Rios – view route here
- Route: Otivar to the Palacete de Cázulas – view route here
- Route: Subida al Cerro Lopera – view route here
- Otivar Picacho of Ítrabo Otivar – view route here.
Cycling Trails Otivar
- Routes: Cycling routes from bike map
- Bests Cycling trails from wikiloc in Otivar Spain – view routes here
Where to Eat?
There are a few popular places to eat in Otivar. The following are recommended:
- Buena Vista
- El Capricho
- Bar Madera
- Indios
- or pack a snack
How to get there from Almuñécar Friday Market Parking Lot
Driving: Departing from the parking lot near Lidl. Turn right and right again drive towards main road traffic lights (Repsol garage opposite). Go straight across the lights and turn left. Continue to top of the road, turn right and straight on up through Jete to Otivar.
Have you visited Otivar?
What are some of the things you love about the Pueblo Blanco Otivar?
[sc name=”to-do”]
