The gateway to the 3 Lakes and the King's Walkway
(Embalse Conde de Guadalhorce, Guadalhorce y Guadalteba), (Caminito del Rey)
The pueblo of Ardales belongs to the region of Guadalteba which follows on from the Guadalhorce valley in the dirrection north coming from Málaga.
Ardales is a typical white village of Andalucia (pueblos blancos) nestling on the side of a mountain with an old castle towering above.
It is also the gateway to the lakes and reservoirs of Guadalhorce and Guadalteba. Which is a large nature park and a heaven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Dirrections:
- It is 90 km to Ardales from Marbella and takes about 1h 30 min.
- Coming from Marbella AP-7 take turn off towards Monda A-355 and on to Coin.
- At roundabout by Coin you turn towards Cartama - Malaga A355
- At crossroad by Cartama you turn towards Campillos A-357.
- You by-pass Pizarra and Carratraca which you see on the right side.
- From Ardales you take the exit on to and turn towards El Chorro and the Embalse de Guadalhorce MA-5402 to reach the lakes. It takes about 30 minutes from Ardales.
- It is a very scenic drive especially when you reach Ardales and the lakes.
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| Read more: Ardales |
You will see the village of Ardales on the left side from the main road Málaga to Campillas.
Plaza San Isidro is a wide street with restaurands and shops.
Strait ahead you can see the church tower and the castle (Castilla de la Peña).
A road leads around the rock with the remains of the castle walls.
The viewpoint of the wall
A sign inviting you to view the castle.
An information board explaning you the history of the castle
(Peña de Ardales).
It was a medieval fortification that was originally a pre historical settlement, an Iberian fortified village and very probably the location of a Roman temple.
The Moors who followed also left their mark. They even gave the village it's name. Ard-Allah meaning Land of Allah.
Nuestra Señora de las Remedios was built in the 15th century on the location of a mosque.
The church looks like it needs a facelift, but you can still notice its grandeur.
A large black iron gate leads to the church yard and to a park.
You find a magnificent orange tree next to the church.
The views from up here are incredible.
In the distance you just can make out the beginning of the lakes.
The patchwork fields surround the village on all sides.
Huge windmills are becoming a common sight in the spanish countryside.
We came across an interesting facade of a house, that shows you that some peoble like to bring back the old even in the 21 century.
As you drive out of the village and under the main road bridge you will see a sign pointing you towards the reservoir of Guadalhorce.
The countryside changes drastically as you drive towards the mountains and the nature park of Desfiladero de los Gaitanes.
On the leftside of the road you will see a large lake
(Embalse Conde de Guadalhorce).
A notice board explaining you the history of the dam.
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| Read more: The Guadalhorce and Guadalteba reservoir |
From the restaurand El Kiosko you can walk to the viewpoint El Mirador del lagos and also the King's Path (Caminito del Rey).
It is good to leave your car here and take a stroll and to get the feel of the area.
From across the lake you can see the very impressive and grande chief engineers house or Casa del Conde.
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| Read more: Conde de Guadalhorce dam |
Walking across the dam gives you an idea what an engineering feat it must have been at the time.
You notice a kind of aura when strolling across the dam.
This place always leaves me with a feeling of nostalgia for times past.
The kings chair was used and sat on by King Alfonso XIII as he signed the completion of the construction document of Conde de Guadalhorce reservoir.
The chair and table was carved out of stone and it is located near the dam wall.
From here you have a marvelous view across to the house of Casa del Conde and the lake.
Perfect tranquillity
Across the dam you find the hotel and restaurand of Posada del Conde.
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| Meatballs in almond sauce (Albóndigas en salsa de almendras) |
On the other side of the dam a road sign directing you to drive on towards the other two reservoirs of Guadalteba and Guadalhorce.
We stopped at the roadside and walked.
To stop and walk across the dam, puts things in perspective!
The construction of these two new reservoirs commenced in spring 1966.
They were completed in 1971 and 1973 respectively.
Looking back towards the hotel Posada del Conde and the
Conde de Guadalhorce dam.
You drive on with Guadalteba on the left and Guadalhorce to the right.
A different type of countryside comes into view as we leave the Reservoirs and nature park behind and drive on in direction the village of Teba.
We take the Campillos - Malaga A-357 road.
Which leads you back to Ardales.
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| Ardales |
How to get to the Conde de Guadalhorce reservoir.
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