Hoyazo de Níjar, Extinct volcano in Sierra Alhamilla, Spain.
Hoyazo de Níjar is an extinct volcano in the Sierra Alhamilla mountains rising about 230 meters with a cone-shaped form built from volcanic rock. Its slopes display exposed layers of lava and ash that tell the story of its volcanic past.
This was once a submarine volcano that became a coral reef millions of years ago, leaving behind marine fossils still visible on its slopes. The geological transformation created the mineral composition visible today.
Local people gather almandine garnets after heavy rains, a practice that has continued through generations in the Níjar region. This tradition connects residents directly to the land beneath their feet.
You can reach it via Mediterranean Highway A-7 exit 481, then follow AL-3106 toward Níjar and park at a clearing about 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) down a dirt track. Walking routes are straightforward but can be slippery after rain.
This site holds one of the world's most important deposits of almandine garnet, once extracted for industrial use as an abrasive material. The red crystals occasionally catch the light on exposed surfaces.
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