PueblosBlancosDiscoveryTours: Jimena de la Frontera

The river Hozgarganta and the old ammunition factory

Prologue:

The village of Jimena de la Frontera is situated in the south east of the Cádiz Province and on the top end of Campo de Gibraltar. The river Hozgarganta flows its whole length of 35 km through the Nature Park of the Cork Oaks (Parque Natural Alcornocales) and enters the Guadiaro river. Surrounding countryside along the river has been virtually untouched and is of outstanding beauty.

The Royal Artillery bomb factory (Fabrica de bombas) was used in the 18th century, to supply bombs and cannon balls for the colonies in the Americas, and also for the siege of Gibraltar in 1777. It was closed in 1789, because of the seasonal water fluctuations in the Hozgargante river. The ruins of the water channel (El Cao) that runs alongside of the river, was used to supply water to the ammunition factory which you will see along the walk.

Directions:

Coming from Marbella on the A-7 take turn off by Guadiaro near Sotogrande towards Castellar de la Frontera A-2100.
When you come to a crossroad turn right towards the village of Jimena de la Frontera A-405.
When you reach the village of Los Angeles recognized by the railway station you turn towards the village of Jimena de la Frontera which is seen on the left side on the hill and dominated by its castle.
It is about 1 1/2 hour drive to get to the village of Jimena de la Frontera coming from Marbella.
The hike is a leisurely walk along the river. You can walk a circular route back through the village.

At the beginning of the Plaza de la Constitucion
is where you can park your car.

Jimena de la Frontera is built on a steep hillside with a large castle as the highest point.

We reached the river Hozgarganta

(on the left of the Plaza when facing the castle).

Near the bridge you find signs showing you the way.

First we decided to walk across the bridge to walk along the river from the other side.

That gave us a different view of the the river valley and

the water canal El Cao.

From May - June you will find wild Oleander bushes in bloom along the river.

All parts of Nerium oleander are toxic it withstands drought and poor soil. The wild variety`s flower are usually pink whereas in the gardens you can find whites and deep reds.

Nerium oleander

The sweet scented flowers brighten up the Andalusian countryside when the surrounding area is already turning brown.

From across the river high up we can get a glimpse of the castle of
Jimena de la Frontera.

In many places of the Oak tree park Alcornocales, you can find Ferns growing under the trees.

We walked back to the bridge and turned left after the house with the old facade and the sign Pasada de Alcalá.

That leads you past the Royal artillery factory (Fabrica de bombas).

The sign gives you a brief history of the water channel and the bomb factory.

The water channel is quite impressive and gives you a good view of how it was once used.

The channel is about 600 m long, 4 m wide and up to 5 m in depth.
The sturdy masonry channel was carved into the rock in some points.

It became operational in 1780 coinciding with the siege of Gibraltar.

We found a nice picnic spot next to a huge Eucalytus tree (Eucalipto)
and near to the river.

There were many Eucalyptus trees along the path.
Their distinctive aroma filled the air.

The path leads through a gate and you pass an old farm house.

You find yourself walking through dense vegetation.

Roughly halfway, you come across some signs which give you the option to walk up to the village.

We proceeded straight on along the river.

High above behind the limestone rock you will find the castle.

The path becomes more rocky from here

and deep down you are able to see the river Hozgarganta.

The track leads you over some stairs carved naturally in the rock.

The river Hozgarganta is known for its huge rocks in the riverbed.

Along the way you pass an old watermill.

It can't be more idyllic than to see horses grazing next to the river.

We reached the end of our walk.
From here you can walk up a gravel road to the Cruz Blanco and from there back to the village. On this day we chose to walk back the same route.