Pasarelas del Genal
Walkway along the Genal river valley
from the restaurant Venta San Juan
The drive takes you through a densely forested area on a well maintained windy road.
You might see some wandering goats on the way.
Genalguacil, is known as an artists village and also as an open air museum.
At the viewpoint at the entrance to the village, you are able to look towards the coast and the Campo de Gibraltar.
We leave Genalguacil behind us, and the road takes us downwards.
In the distance ahead of us we are able to see the village of Algatocín.
After 6,5 km we reached the Venta San Juan and the river Genal.
The river Genal.
From the car-park we walked behind the Inn towards Camping San Juan.
A small path on the right side of the gate leads you along the river.
We enter a very lush unspoiled river valley.
Every 7 years or so the bark (cork) is peeled off.
We pass a very old mill.
Peacefully the Genal flows on its way.
By and by you come across various farm houses (fincas or cortijos)
which are set amidst the natural surroundings.
A sign, telling you that the track could be dangerous and you should take care.
It is a well walked path, but nevertheless at places it is rugged and you walk through dense vegetation.
We found it quite inspiring and exciting.
We pass through various gates on the way
and we closed them again after us.
Paint marks on the rock show us that we are on the right track.
A ruin next to a mighty eucalyptus tree.
We reached a clearing.
The meadow was covered with pretty little white flowers.
A large stone was an ideal resting place.
We enjoyed the tranquillity,
and the sound of flowing water was very relaxing.
The damp conditions due to lack of sunlight are ideal for moss and lichen.
To walk along the river valley in Autumn time is especially appealing.
The path is carpeted with fallen leaves.
What an idyllic setting.
Behind the fence some turkeys (pavos) foraging happily.
Sun-rays are filtering through the tree tops.
A pole pointing us in the right direction.
An artistic finca owner.
The sign camino meaning path, way, track etc.
An orchard of orange trees and olive trees.
Stairways to heaven, I wonder!
The stairs don't really go anywhere anymore.
At a clearing we saw a beautiful white horse
and a docile donkey.
The white horse trotted off to the river and disappeared into the thicket.
We face our first challenge.
Some steep steps lead up to a metal walkway.
But it is an brilliant idea so we can enjoy this wonderful landscape without getting wet feet!
At times it is like walking through a jungle.
We come across an empty well.
Carefully we stroll on.
The path has formed a tunnel through the thicket.
At times you notice tracks leading down to the river.
But we carry on alongside a fence.
And on the other side an orchard.
Again we are heading back into the jungle.
With care we follow the track downwards.
Now we are very close to the river.
The soothing waters of the Rio Genal.
Now we follow the trail along a moss covered hillside.
We can feel the damp air around us.
It is like a primeval forest.
The path follows a narrow channel along the river edge.
We were asking ourselves,
how old this path must be!
A few meters below us the river.
Someone making good use of the fertile soil!
The hanging fruit of a Carob tree (Algarrobo).
We wondered where this path would take us.
Moss covered rock on one side and the river 50 cm away.
Lucky for the metal structure, or we might have got wet feet.
Beyond this gate the valley levels out.
A young forest of Poplar trees (Álamo)
Hidden in the trees a beautiful country house.
Casa Manatial which is available for rent.
We come across another metal walkway.
This plaque tells us that the Ronda tourist board has the intention to boost tourism in the Serranía de Ronda with this modified walkway.
A small rock pool
The path leads us through a mature poplar forest.
We pass another gate
and walk over a small brook
Than we have reached the plain Prado de la Escibana.
and the river crossing that connects the municipalities of Genalguacil and Benarrabá.
The meadow Prado de la Escibana.
At this time of year the meadow is full of these dainty white flowers.
After an interesting hike we were ready for our picnic.
Some of the mushrooms we came across.
Map of the hike
How to get to Venta San Juan, Jubrique
Walkway along the Genal river valley
from the restaurant Venta San Juan
Prologue:
Pasarelas de Genal a 3,8 km long walkway along the river Genal is part of the Great Málaga Trail (Grand Senda de Málaga), GR 249.
Our starting point was at the Restaurant Venta San Juan, located in the Genal valley depression and next to the bridge on the Jubrique/Algatocín road MA8305.
The walk was very enjoyable, a little challenging at times, but the lush jungle like surroundings made it an experience not be missed.
Directions:
The river Genal plays an important role in the Serranía de Ronda. Its waters supply 15 Municipalities in the Upper and Lower Genal valley. The river source (El Nacimiento) can be found near the village of Igualeja, in the Upper Genal valley, and flows into the river Guadiaro south of Gaucín. Throughout the lush river valley, people have lived and worked this part of Andalucía for centuries and you will find many mule tracks and walkways across the countryside connecting the villages.
The Genal valley boasts a great biodiversity, from the rocky slopes in the Upper Genal to the north, to the dense vegetation alongside the river depression towards the south. The Genal region is classed as a natural monument for diversity of Flora and Fauna. The most characteristic tree species are the chestnut trees which are cultivated here. You can also find Holm oaks, Gall oaks, cork oaks, black pine trees and also deciduous trees.
After 4 km we reached the Meadow of Prado la Escribana. There you will find picnic tables, a children's play ground and the rivers pool offers you a refreshing dip.
- We took the route from Estepona on the Coast AP-7, via MA-8301 towards Genalguacil, MA-8304 and onto MA-8305 to the Restaurant Venta San Juan (Jubrique).
- It is about 37 km and takes, depending on stops, 1h 30 min.
- The walkway of Pasarelas de Genal starting point is the Restaurant Venta San Juan, it is 3,8 km long, one way.
- We walked there and back and it took us a leisurely 4h30 including a picnic.
It is a low elevation walk along the river Genal, but the trail is narrow at places and takes you over hanging bridges. It can be done at any time of year, but take note of high water levels in the rainy seasons.
It is a very scenic drive from Estepona MA-8301 on to the Peña Blanca Pass towards the village of Genalguacíl.
We stopped at the Genalguacil/Jubrique crossroads, Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja, from where you get a good view over the Genal valley.
The drive takes you through a densely forested area on a well maintained windy road.
You might see some wandering goats on the way.
Genalguacil, is known as an artists village and also as an open air museum.
At the viewpoint at the entrance to the village, you are able to look towards the coast and the Campo de Gibraltar.
We leave Genalguacil behind us, and the road takes us downwards.
In the distance ahead of us we are able to see the village of Algatocín.
After 6,5 km we reached the Venta San Juan and the river Genal.
It is from here where we started our hike.
A view across the bridge and towards the Inn.
The river Genal.
The Genal river valley has it's own micro climate. With it's 42000 hectares and its diversity of Fauna and Flora the Genal valley has been designated as a nature area.
From the car-park we walked behind the Inn towards Camping San Juan.
A small path on the right side of the gate leads you along the river.
We enter a very lush unspoiled river valley.
 |
| Cork oaks (Alcornoque) |
We pass a very old mill.
Peacefully the Genal flows on its way.
By and by you come across various farm houses (fincas or cortijos)
which are set amidst the natural surroundings.
A sign, telling you that the track could be dangerous and you should take care.
It is a well walked path, but nevertheless at places it is rugged and you walk through dense vegetation.
We found it quite inspiring and exciting.
We pass through various gates on the way
and we closed them again after us.
Paint marks on the rock show us that we are on the right track.
A ruin next to a mighty eucalyptus tree.
We reached a clearing.
The meadow was covered with pretty little white flowers.
 |
| White Bell flower (Acis autumnalis) |
We enjoyed the tranquillity,
and the sound of flowing water was very relaxing.
All along the river valley you will see trees covered with moss.
The damp conditions due to lack of sunlight are ideal for moss and lichen.
To walk along the river valley in Autumn time is especially appealing.
What an idyllic setting.
Behind the fence some turkeys (pavos) foraging happily.
Sun-rays are filtering through the tree tops.
A pole pointing us in the right direction.
An artistic finca owner.
The sign camino meaning path, way, track etc.
An orchard of orange trees and olive trees.
Stairways to heaven, I wonder!
The stairs don't really go anywhere anymore.
and a docile donkey.
The white horse trotted off to the river and disappeared into the thicket.
We face our first challenge.
Some steep steps lead up to a metal walkway.
But it is an brilliant idea so we can enjoy this wonderful landscape without getting wet feet!
At times it is like walking through a jungle.
We come across an empty well.
Carefully we stroll on.
The path has formed a tunnel through the thicket.
And on the other side an orchard.
Again we are heading back into the jungle.
With care we follow the track downwards.
Now we are very close to the river.
The soothing waters of the Rio Genal.
Now we follow the trail along a moss covered hillside.
We can feel the damp air around us.
It is like a primeval forest.
The path follows a narrow channel along the river edge.
A security rope helps you along.
We were asking ourselves,
how old this path must be!
A few meters below us the river.
Someone making good use of the fertile soil!
The hanging fruit of a Carob tree (Algarrobo).
We wondered where this path would take us.
Moss covered rock on one side and the river 50 cm away.
Lucky for the metal structure, or we might have got wet feet.
Beyond this gate the valley levels out.
A young forest of Poplar trees (Álamo)
Hidden in the trees a beautiful country house.
Casa Manatial which is available for rent.
Nearby the calm waters of the Genal.
We come across another metal walkway.
From here we get a good view of the river valley.
This plaque tells us that the Ronda tourist board has the intention to boost tourism in the Serranía de Ronda with this modified walkway.
A small rock pool
The path leads us through a mature poplar forest.
We pass another gate
and walk over a small brook
Than we have reached the plain Prado de la Escibana.
and the river crossing that connects the municipalities of Genalguacil and Benarrabá.
This information board explains the significance of the meadow
(Prado de la Escribana).
(Prado de la Escribana).
Throughout history travellers and farm workers alike used this area as a resting place.
At this time of year the meadow is full of these dainty white flowers.
 |
| White Bell flower (Acis autumnalis) |
The rock pool looked very inviting.
After some refreshment, we retraced our steps back to our starting point
Venta San Juan.
Some of the mushrooms we came across.
Map of the hike
 |
| Wikiloc: Pasarelas del Genal |
How to get to Venta San Juan, Jubrique
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