The Walk of Gaitanejo
in the
Natural Park Desfiladero de los Gaitanes
Prologue:
The nature park of Desfiladero de los Gaitanes is located between the Guadalhorce valley and region of Guadalteba, north of Malaga.
This area is best known as El Chorro and for its lakes or reservoirs of Embalse Conde de Guadalhorce, Guadalteba and Guadalhorce. The Kings Walk (Caminito del Rey) which reopened in spring 2015 can be found here.
The walk of Gaitanejo starts at the Mirador restaurant and leads to the entrance of the Caminito del Rey. It is a very pleasant and scenic circular hike where you end up at the dam of Presa Conde de Guadalhorce.
Directions:
- From Marbella you drive in direction Coín and than towards Campillos A357, you bypas Cartama and Pizarra.
- By Ardales you turn towards the north entrance of Caminito del Rey and the reservoir Embalse Conde de Guadalhorce Ma-444 .
- This takes you roughly 1,30hour, coming from Marbella.
- You can leave the car near the El Mirador Restaurant
The circular route is 4,2 km long and it takes between 2 - 3 hours depending on your stops.
A service road leads up to the viewpoint of the Reservoirs
(Mirador de los Embalses from the Restaurant El Mirador.
After about 15 minutes you reach a clearing and you have fantastic views to all sides.
To the left you see the El Conde Reservoir and to the north the Guadalteba and Guadalhorce Reservoirs.
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| Read more: Conde de Guadalhorce Dam |
From here we looked down onto the Dam (Presa) of Conde de Guadalhorce.
The Recervoir of Conde de Guadalhorce was constructed in 1914 and completed in 1921.
It must've been quite an engineering feat at that time.
The more newer reservoirs of Guadalhorce and Guadalteba were opened in 1971/73 respectively.
Looking down onto the lakes from here and being surrounded by nature gives you a wonderful sense of freedom.
From the Viewpoint we walked back 100 m until we reached the service road again and from here we turned to the left and walked on for about 20 minutes until we reached the entrance to the Caminito del Rey.
It is a leisurely walk through a wooded area.
You find yourself entering deeper into the gorge of El Chorro.
Far below you will see the river Guadalhorce.
Desfiladero means a way through deep, narrow, steep-walled mountains generally formed by the breakdown of terrane.
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| Read more: Desfiladero de los Gaitanes |
From here we turned sharp left along the river.
Near the river you will find some wooden tables and benches
which make an ideal place for a rest or a picnic.
High above you will see the service road which you have come along.
On the way you will find some interesting information boards.
A very idyllic location with the calm river and the Jurassic rock formations.
On the way you come across some ruins.
They look like an ancient dwelling built into the limestone,
You find yourself walking on a narrow footpath
through a forest of Aleppo pines.
The 2016 hectar Nature Park "Desfiladero de los Gaitanes" has a unique natural setting and is an extraordinary site of geomorphological interest.
After 2 km from the entrance of the Caminito del Rey
you reach the dam of Presa de Guadalhorce.
Deep down you can see the pump house.
You will reach the road near the hotel of La Posada del Conde.
From here you can see the very impressive and grande chief engineers house or Casa del Conde.
We walk back across the dam and along the road to our starting point Restaurant El Mirador.
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| Read more: Conde de Guadalhorce dam |
It is an idyllic setting and very tranquil and peaceful especially out of season.
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.
On the way we pass the Restaurant El Kiosko.
It is about 1 km from the dam Presa de Guadalhorce to the
Restaurant El Mirador
From here you have fantastic views down to the lake whilst you can enjoy a good hearty meal or just a cup of coffee.
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| Artichokes (Alcachofas) |
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| Spareribs (Costillas) |
It is well worth a visit for the views alone.
Some steps lead down towards the shores of the lake.
The Reservoir Conde de Guadalhorce is an ideal place and a complete contrast to the coast for nature lovers and sports idealists.
Camping, canoeing, pedalows and swimming and tracking are a few activities to mention.
Maps of the Nature Park Desfiladero de Gaitanes.
How to get to the Lakes
Related links: Conde de Guadalhorce Dam
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