Mirador de las Buitreras y Pico del Convento
At a distance you can just make out the dam wall and below the
Embalse Gaitanejo.
Giant sandstone rocks loom over you.
At higher altitude, the vegetation becomes more sparse.
This view takes you in the direction of the reservoirs Gadalteba and Guadalhorce.
The road winds on gently up hill,
and suddenly you discover beehives in the middle of nowhere.
The higher you walk the better the views of the lakes.
On the other side of the gorge we notice some caves and ruins of earlier dwellings.
What a wonderful natural viewpoint!!
We found a good spot for our picnic.
Just stunning!!
We are having a rest, and at the same time we are able to enjoy a birds-eye view of the gorge and the Caminito del Rey.
High above us many birds of prey are circling.
Griffon Vultures (Buitre Leonado) and eagles (Águilas)
and many other species are nesting among the rocks.
Another last look at the river Guadalhorce as it winds through the gorge
and the circling Griffon vultures (Buitre Leonado).
to the Pico del Convento.
As seen on the next picture you turn to the right
towards El Pico del Convento.
Early autumn and because of lack of rain the countryside looks very dry.
We follow the trail upwards,
and leave the gorge behind us.
Picos del Convento (the Convent peak)
The Route to the Mirador de las Buitreras and Pico del Convento
Prologue:
Everybody has probably heard of the famous Kings Walk (Caminito del Rey), through the gorge of El Chorro, located in the nature park of Desfilatero de los Gaitanes between the Guadalhorce valley and region of Guadalteba, in the north of Malaga province. First built in 1914 as a supply route for the construction of the reservoir Embalse Conde de Guadalhorce and the dam of Presa Conde de Guadalhorce. Now since it reopened in April 2015, thousands of thrill seekers and nature lovers enjoy the walk.
We today, have chosen a walk up to a natural viewpoint of the vultures (Mirador de las Buitreras) and onto the peak of El Convento (the convent). From where you are able to get a birds-eye view of the Caminito and the gorge El Chorro, as well as of the tree lakes.
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 1,30 hour, coming from Marbella.
- You can leave the car near the El Mirador Restaurant
- The Hike to the Mirador de las Buitreras and to the Pico del Convento is moderate and we took 4 hours there and back, with a few stops to take in the views.
- Length: there and back is about 6 km and of 260 m variation in altitude up to 659 meters..
- The first 2,3 km you walk steadily uphill along a forest road
- Only the last 1 km of trail leads you along rugged terrain which can be difficult for some. But certainly well worth it.
- Make sure you have plenty of water and good walking shoes.
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| 200 meter long tunnel |
On the right hand side of the restaurant El Mirador you find some steps leading back to the main road. You turn to the right at the road, and walk 100 meters along until you come across a tunnel and a sign pointing you towards the Caminito del Rey.
If you don't fancy the tunnel just follow the route Sendero Gaitanejo.
then, we followed the forest road up hill.
At the other end of the tunnel a valley opens up in front of you and deep down you catch sight of the reservoir outlet of El Gaitanejo.
We followed the route of Caminito del Rey until the road branches off and
then, we followed the forest road up hill.
Down below you see the road which leads you towards the north entrance of Caminito del Rey.
At a distance you can just make out the dam wall and below the
Embalse Gaitanejo.
Looking up at the bizarre rock formation.
Giant sandstone rocks loom over you.
They have been carved out by wind and rain for thousands of years.
At higher altitude, the vegetation becomes more sparse.
 |
| Mediterranean Fan Pal (Palmero) |
To the left this view takes you across the valley.
This view takes you in the direction of the reservoirs Gadalteba and Guadalhorce.
The road winds on gently up hill,
and suddenly you discover beehives in the middle of nowhere.
The higher you walk the better the views of the lakes.
From here the deep cut of the gorge becomes visible.
On the other side of the gorge we notice some caves and ruins of earlier dwellings.
Our destinations!!
Pico del Convento
Mirador de las Buitreras
At the end of the forest road, straight ahead a trail leads you towards a natural viewpoint. Mirador de las Buitreras
To the right of a small pine tree a path leads you towards Pico del Convento.
I'm afraid there are no signs, but a well used track between the rocks
From here you get a good view of the road over the dam, which joins the three reservoirs.
As we reached the natural viewpoint
our breath was nearly taken away.
It also takes you to the narrowest part of the gorge El Chorro
Deep down we spot people, they look like ants, as they move along the trail of the Caminito del Rey.
Alongside the gorge and on the opposite side of the Caminito, you are able to get a glimpse of the railway line Malaga /Granada.
The railway line moves through this dramatic countryside
in and out the mountain through tunnels
and over bridges.
The river Guadalhorce winds itself through the gorge.
La Sierra de Almorchon and the peak of El Hoyo.
Mirador de las Buitreras
At the end of the forest road, straight ahead a trail leads you towards a natural viewpoint. Mirador de las Buitreras
To the right of a small pine tree a path leads you towards Pico del Convento.
I'm afraid there are no signs, but a well used track between the rocks
and a pile of stones mark the way.
From here you get a good view of the road over the dam, which joins the three reservoirs.
As we reached the natural viewpoint
our breath was nearly taken away.
Carefully ...
we stepped forward!
This is the view from the Mirador de las Buitreras along the
Valle de Hoyo
Valle de Hoyo
It also takes you to the narrowest part of the gorge El Chorro
and the reservoir Embalse Tajo de la Encantada and above the high reservoir of Embalse superior de la Encantada which feeds the hydro electric power station.
Alongside the gorge and on the opposite side of the Caminito, you are able to get a glimpse of the railway line Malaga /Granada.
The railway line moves through this dramatic countryside
in and out the mountain through tunnels
and over bridges.
The river Guadalhorce winds itself through the gorge.
What a wonderful natural viewpoint!!
We found a good spot for our picnic.
Just stunning!!
We are having a rest, and at the same time we are able to enjoy a birds-eye view of the gorge and the Caminito del Rey.
High above us many birds of prey are circling.
Griffon Vultures (Buitre Leonado) and eagles (Águilas)
and many other species are nesting among the rocks.
and the circling Griffon vultures (Buitre Leonado).
From the Mirador we followed a path between the rocks to get across
to the Pico del Convento.
As seen on the next picture you turn to the right
towards El Pico del Convento.
Early autumn and because of lack of rain the countryside looks very dry.
 |
| The late Crocus, Azafrán silvestre (Colchicum autumnale) |
 |
| Clustered Carline Thistle, Cardo (Carlina corymbosa) |
 |
| Mastic shrub, Lentisco, (Pistacia lentiscus) |
The road we came on.
We follow the trail upwards,
and leave the gorge behind us.
Picos del Convento (the Convent peak)
The story has it, that there once stood a convent here.
The view is just breath taking!! Certainly worth the effort.
If you look closer at the rock you still can see that some of the stone has been transformed by man.
A natural bench to take a rest at 659 meters.
Amazing countryside!!
You are able to see all three lakes from here.
From the right: Embalse del Conde de Guadalhorce, Embalse del Guadalteba, Embalse de Guadalhorce and in the front Gaitanejo.
The three large Reservoirs (Embalse del Conde de Guadalhorce, Embalse del Guadalhorce and Embalse del Guadalteba), which are found in this area, supply the surrounding villages and the city of Malaga, as well as most parts of the Costa del Sol with electric power and drinking water.
From here you can walk along the high plateau and find your way back to El Conde reservoir.
We retrace our way back.
We have a last look back up to the peak El Convento.
The bee hives close up and the Embalse de Guadalteba.
This is the service tunnel we came through, but on our way back to the
El Mirador restaurant we turn left up hill.
This way leads to the Mirador de los Embalses, 400 meters from the restaurant.
At the restaurant El Mirador you are always welcome for a coffee or lunches and snacks. It is certainly worth a look in.
The Route to the Mirador de las Buitreras and Pico del Convento
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| Wikiloc: Mirador de los Buitreras and Pico del Convento |
How to get to the Nature Par Defiladero de los Gaitanes, Ardales
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