PueblosBlancosDiscoveryTours: Guaro

The Walkway of the High pass

The Sendero Puerto Alto PR-A 274

Prologue:

Between January and February the Almond trees (Almendros) in southern Spain come into blossom. It is the first sign of Spring, and it is always a pleasure to see them in full bloom. As you walk near them, the air is filled with a sweet scent and you hear the humming of many insects like the bees feasting on the nectar.

We decided to take a walk through the countryside near the village of Guaro - Sierra de las Nieves - Málaga Province, in search of the almond blossoms. It was a very pleasant walk along a tranquil farm road, where small farms (Fincas) are scattered around the countryside surrounded by olive trees, orange orchards and of cause, almond trees. Most of the way you have wonderful views. At this time of year, very often you are able to see the snow capped mountain peaks of the Sierra de las Nieves with its highest peak Torrecilla (1919m) in the distance towards the south.

Directions:

From Marbella on the A7 take turn off towards Coin A-355.

Carry on for about 20 minutes until you reach the crossroads Monda/Guaro A-7100. Guaro is another 10 minutes further on.

Proceed through Guaro on this road until the road turns sharply right and you see the sign Ronda/Coin/Malága.
From here you bare left up and behind the building, Edeficio El Almendro.

The Walkway (Sendero PR-A 274 Puerto Alto) starts here.
The hike is about 8,4 km in total and we took 4 h including time for a picnic.
You start at 355 m, go down to 200 m and then ascend to 456 m.

In the village at the start of the walkway you find an information board with the description of the circular route "Puerto Alto".
We walked to the top of Puerto Alto and returned the same way.

Text taken from information board

You start out on this route through the most rural part of Guaro where, during the war years, many people found refuge. It makes you wonder how many farmers, animals of burden and travellers have seen this almond tree (under the shade of which this board now stands) as they passed.

Text taken from information board

The depth of the agricultural lands opens up below, a silhouette of ridges and hollows, usually displaying blueish tones. The landscape commences with fields of almond trees that have been grown since time immemorial together with fig trees and vines, but that during the Reconquest, due to diseases, the latter had to be totally replaced by almond trees. From here comes the name of "Guaro, Natural Paradise of Almonds" with such an important level of`production that for years it was the mainstay of the town's economy until profitability fell below the level of sustainability.

You can see the almond trees growing near road sides, on hills, between olive groves and in orchards. Almond trees come in either sweet or bitter varieties. The blossom varies from snow white to pinkish red.

Casually we walk along the farm road downhill.
It is about 2 km to the river from the village, and at a level of 150 meters.

At a distance, the blooming almond trees look like white and pink specks in the green country side.

A scent of almond blossom fills the air,

along with the humming of the bees.

The almond trees sparkle and glow in the bright sunlight.

The Almonds (Almendras) play an important culinary role in the Andalusian
cuisine. Most of the dishes have their origins from the Moors. The nuts are not only used in sweet cakes or sweets like Turron but also in many savory dishes. They form a base for many sauces like the Spanish Romesco Sauce. The almonds are also the main ingredient for the White Garlic Soup (Ajo blanco).

A pole with coloured lines shows that you are on the right path.

On the ridge in the distance you see a newly constructed urbanisation of Guaro.

The road takes a steep curve left,

by a majestic old tree.

Further down, we reach a stream known as
"Arroyo de la Piola"

with its banks full of orange, lemon, and olive trees.

Once we have reached the river, we find an immense centenarian walnut tree on the left,

and on the right the river bank vegetation such as willows, reeds, etc.

At this point we cross a little brook.

Text taken from the information board.

A little further on, we come to the bridge over the stream, which facilitates the farming of the area throughout the entire year, as before, this area was only accessible in summer. About 150 meters further on, we shall find the crossroads, the route along which we shall return to the town later on.

A view from the bridge.

On the other side of the stream a small farm house (finca).

About 150 meters further on, we come to the crossroads.

From here we turn right uphill.

Steadily we follow the steep windy road up.

The view back down towards the bridge.

Deep down, the river valley.

This side of the stream the country seems less cultivated.

The view from whence we came.

Trees provide us with welcome shade on this hot January day.

Cork oak trees (Alcornoques)

Aleppo pines (Pino alepo)

Sage leaved rock-rose, Jara o estepa, (Cistus salfiifolius)

Today we had a companion to show us the way!

Hopefully the friendly dog knows the way.

At the side of the road we see

a beautiful bush full with blue berries.

The views get more spectacular the higher we go.

In the distance the Sierra de las Nieves

This view is towards the west.

We are heading further up the hill.

Now we find ourselves surrounded by almond groves.

This area is known as Puerto Alto

The views are amazing.

Some of the trees still bare nuts.

A small olive tree amongst the almond trees.

The view towards the north.

As we stand at an altitude of about 450 meter we are able to see the village of Guaro more fully.

This view is towards the north and the village of Alozaina.

This meadow makes an ideal picnic spot.

As we sit here in the meadow under the almond trees, we reflect on our thoughts; how many different cultures must have worked and left their mark in these fertile lands around Guaro, from the Iberians, Romans, Visigoth, Arabs and now to the modern day.