Picena combines a short hiking option with features of the village’s history and agricultural heritage. The SL-A-29 – Sendero El Balsón starts in the village. Other themes that shape Picena include a natural pool, historic remains and traditional uses. You can tailor your visit to your interests: walking a named trail, exploring the landscape, or learning about the village’s architecture and working history.
Hiking Trail and Natural Pool
The SL-A-29 – Sendero El Balsón hiking trail starts in Picena. It is listed as 2 kilometres long, with a walking time of 30 minutes. These figures provide a clear basis for planning your time, though local trail conditions may affect them. Use them as a guide and take local conditions into account. With its short distance, the trail is a clearly defined hiking option.
The Balsón de Picena is a deep natural pool with fresh, clear water. Water conditions vary seasonally. The choice of focus is straightforward: the Sendero is defined by its distance and walking time, while the Balsón is defined by its natural form and seasonal water. Picena therefore offers not only a measurable trail but also a natural feature whose character changes with the seasons.
Historic Landmarks
The remains of the former Castillejo de Picena lie on the right bank of the Río Picena, on a small hill. Its location is easy to pinpoint: beside the river and elevated on a hill. If you take the road downhill towards Cherín, a track branches off to the left and leads to the site. Check access conditions locally.
A path leads to the old La Fabriquilla hydroelectric station after crossing a suspension bridge. The bridge and station are successive landmarks along the route. As the condition of the infrastructure should be checked locally, include this section in your plans.
Village Character and Past Work
Picena preserves traditional Alpujarran architecture in its winding, narrow streets. Visitors can explore these streets and appreciate the architecture in the context of the village’s layout. The Peñón de Picena is next to the cemetery. Traditionally, it marked the end of the working day in the fields. This connects a specific place with a long-standing agricultural custom.
The Eras de Picena are also part of the area’s agricultural history. They are circular, paved threshing floors where grain was threshed and then winnowed. Winnowing separates the grain from the chaff. This sequence makes the different stages of the work clear and gives the eras a significance beyond their shape: they represent one part of the former grain-processing process.
The depiction shows the first part of the battle. First, the Moors win and return the Virgin Mary to the church; the following day, the Christians win. The changing fortunes form the narrative across the two days. Along with architecture, trails and traces of agriculture, this depiction offers another way to discover Picena’s local culture.
Discover more destinations: Peligros, Yátor, Bubión, Cenes De La Vega, Víznar, Atarfe, Cástaras, Ugíjar
For the main travel overview: Granada.
