Benahavís

A Walk along an old irrigation channel

Sendero Acequia de las Angostura 

Prologue:

The village of Benahavís is just a few kilometres inland near Estepona.

It`s name dates back to the Moors and means the son (Ben of Avis or Havis) the ruler of the castle Monte Mayor near Benahavís. 

The walkway Sendero Acequia de las Angosturas and the bridge over the gorge was inaugurated on the 3rd October 2014.  

    Directions:

• Coming from Marbella on the A7 it takes about 30 minutes to Benahavís village.
• You take the turn off just before you reach the outskirts of Estepona  on to the Ctra. Benahavís. From there it takes you 10 minutes. 
• You drive past the Ermita Virgin del Rosário and just after you come to the Viewpoint El Mirador de las Tres Pergolas where you can leave the car. 
• The hike starts here. You will have to cross a beautiful erected wooden bridge and follow the track. 
• It is a leisure walk of 4,1 km in length there and back.

The viewpoint El Mirador de las Tres Pergolas

A strong wooden bridge of 37 meter in length

takes you over the gorge of Angosturas (the Narrow).

On the left side  you can see deep down the river Guadalmina as it runs through the gorge.

To the right side  you can see the river valley opening up.

Coming from the bridge the path leads you upwards for 200 m until you reach the irrigation channel. 

From here the walk takes you leisurely along the irrigation channel. 

In places you walk over the water channel. 

 

At times you get a glimpse of the coast.

The walkway goes through thick untouched vegetation.

You will find interesting information boards along the way.

Mediterranean Fan Palm (Palmero)

You have to cross a small bridge.

A view towards the  gorge of Angosturas (the Narrow) and beyond the village of Benahavís.

Many beautiful old cork oak trees (Alcornoque) are visible. 

A thick layer of bark is removed every 7-8 years.

In spring you find many wild flowers.

Broom (Genista)

From here you get a nice view towards the coast.

The irrigation water runs down to the river Guadalmina.

On the left of the river you can see the old irrigation channel going towards the coast

A view across the river valley.

Coming to the end of the walk you will have wonderful views around the countryside.  

In front of you down on the left you can see the golf club 

(Club De Golf El Higueral).

The view towards Sierra Blanca and La Concha.

On the day of our walk the cloud formation was stunning.

Wild Irises (Iris germanica)

 Procession Caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa)

Procession caterpillars (Procesionaria del Pino) take care in spring when you are allergic or if you have pets. 

Read more: Pine processionary 

The last view of the gorge. Maybe not for the fainthearted.

This evening we were blessed with a stunning sunset.