The history of gold and riverside trails give Cenes de la Vega a distinctive character. Four routes belonging to Los Caminos del Oro lead through the history of gold mining along the Río Genil and combine the subject with the experience of enjoying nature while hiking. Other highlights include a historic canal, a church with a Mudéjar roof structure and the Fuente de la Pita by the river. If you are looking for accommodation in Cenes De La Vega, consider whether cultural history or walking and hiking trails should play a bigger part in your stay.
The history of gold along the trails
All four circular routes of Los Caminos del Oro begin at the former Apeadero del Tranvía de la Sierra. Their shared starting point and circular layout give the trails a clear structure; in terms of content, they lead through the history of gold mining along the Río Genil and combine hiking with the experience of enjoying nature. Hoyo de la Campana contains the largest and clearest remains of intensive Roman gold mining in the Río Genil valley. They represent an earlier period than the industrial history of the Canal de los Franceses, which was built at the end of the 19th century.
The Ruta de Münzer, also known as the Camino Real, offers another historic connection. Cenes de la Vega is part of this route, which connected Almería with Granada through the interior. It adds a different perspective to the history of gold: a historic link between two cities, distinct from the circular routes of the gold project.
The Canal de los Franceses
The Canal de los Franceses is about 16 kilometres long and runs through the Río Aguas Blancas valley, with sections comprising tunnels, siphons and open stretches. A French company built it at the end of the 19th century to wash gold-bearing sands from Cerro del Oro. Its changing construction styles are part of the canal’s character: tunnels, siphons and open passages form different sections within the same canal. In this way, the canal represents both a specific engineering structure and the history of gold mining in the area.
The church and the town’s earlier history
The Iglesia de la Virgen del Rosario is a 16th-century church. Its Mudéjar roof structure and three-part tower define the building’s appearance. The church was built over an older hermitage dedicated to San Bartolomé; a carved figure of the saint is inside the church. The building thus brings together different historical layers: the earlier religious structure and the 16th-century church. The roof structure, tower and carved figure each offer a different starting point if you are interested in the town’s architectural and religious history.
Fuente de la Pita and trails along the Genil
The Fuente de la Pita is on an island in the Río Genil riverbed, bounded by the Sendero Granada-Cenes-Pinos Genil. This restored hydraulic structure invites visitors to hike and relax. Its peaceful surroundings are characterised by pine, chestnut, walnut and fruit trees, with views of the Sierra Nevada. A path along the banks of the Río Genil in Cenes de la Vega is also used daily by walkers and cyclists.
When planning your route along the Caminos del Oro, note the current signage status: as of October 2025, the trails were not physically signposted; their routes were available via Google My Maps and Wikiloc. Before setting out, check whether the signage has since changed. Aquaola Parque Acuático has been permanently closed since 2022.
When looking for a hotel in Cenes De La Vega, a useful starting point is to ask what you want to focus on during your stay: architectural and gold-mining history, or walking and hiking trails. The historic themes feature in the route, canal and church; the trails along the Genil and the Fuente de la Pita give your stay a stronger connection to the landscape.
Discover more destinations: Cúllar, Guadix, Pinos Genil, Castilléjar, Guájar-Fondón, Laroles, Padul, Monachil.
For the broader travel overview: Granada.
