El Hoyazo Crater
Garnets in Almería
This is a nice walk (with steeper sections). Our daughter was 8 when we did this walk – and loved finding Garnets. Remember to take water – there are no “souvenir shops” or refreshments at the entrance.
Overview
- Type: Pseudocrater formed from volcanic activity
- Location: Near Níjar, Almería, in the Cabo de Gata region
- Age: Approximately 6.2 million years old
- Geology: Composed mainly of dacite and andesite, with garnets formed in voids within the volcanic rock
Garnets at El Hoyazo
The name garnet is thought to come from the Latin word for pomegranate – as the seeds of a pomegranate are similar in colour, size and shape.
- Formed from manganese, aluminium, and silicon oxide within volcanic dacite
- Carried to the surface by lava flows and scattered across the crater floor
- Historically one of the largest garnet extraction areas in the world
- Garnets were used for abrasive products due to their hardness
Why Visit?
- Walk into the crater and see evidence of ancient volcanic activity
- Find garnets and cordierite (locally known as “sapphires”). Note it is illegal to take them
- Enjoy stunning views and rich geological history
How to Get There
- Take the Autovía del Mediterráneo, exit 481 (NIJAR AL-3106)
- Follow a dirt track for about 1.2 km to reach the base of the crater
More Information
- Crater del Hoyazo walk at Nijar, Almeria in the Cabo de Gata
- El Cráter del Hoyazo: un Volcán lleno de Minerales
- Visit Volcán de la Granatilla – a place full of precious stones
Take a look at some other day trips from Mojacar
… and between or after your trip(s), when you need to get some work done, we’re waiting for you at DeskSpace Mojácar Coworking. Find out what makes Mojácar an ideal location for digital nomads in our coworking guide.
Photo credit: Ethan Beckler 1of1Images (Facebook) 1of1Images.com
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