R4_P1-P2

The first section of this branch descends southward along a mule track, where the first thing that catches the eye is the presence of two small pine groves. The first is located in the area known as La Cueva, and slightly further along, the second appears on the western slope of Montaña de La Cueva.

These groves highlight two key aspects: on one hand, the ecological role of the raven (Corvus corax canariensis) in the pine forest, just as in the "sabina" groves, as a disperser of seeds; and on the other hand, the challenges faced by any species, in this case the Canary Island pine (Pinus canariensis), to thrive and expand without assistance beyond the limits of its potential distribution or under extreme conditions.

This latter point also serves as an analogy for understanding the harsh living conditions endured by the men and women of El Pinar, who historically inhabited this remote and desolate area.

The section ends at an old traditional house in ruins, equipped with a cistern for collecting and storing rainwater.