PueblosBlancosDiscoveryTours: Tolox, Sierra de las Nieves

The Walk to the waterfall

"Charco de la Virgen"

Prologue:

Tolox is a small mountain village located in the foothills of the Sierra de las Nieves. Nestled at the end of a valley surrounded by steep forested hills and a gateway to the Sierras de las Nieves and to the highest peak Torrecilla (1909m).

Tolox is known for its the Health spa of "Balneario Fuente Amargosa" and its healing waters.

On this late spring day we decided to take a walk to the waterfalls of "Charco de la Virgin" near Tolox. The hike started next to the Health spa and follows alongside the river "Los Caballos" until we reached the waterfall. It is a moderate hike, at times you follow a narrow path along the hillside and there are various river crossings on stepping stones.

But the effort is certainly worth it because you will be blessed with stunning scenery, tranquil surroundings, and the beautiful waterfall.

In summertime "Charco de la Virgin" is often used by bathers and canyoning enthusiasts.

Directions:

From Marbella to Tolox it is about 37 km 45 minutes drive
From Marbella you drive towards Ojen and onto Monda, A-355.
At the crossroad in Monda you drive towards Guaro.
Just 6 minutes after Guaro you reach a crossroad turning left towards Tolox A366. You reach the village after 12 km.

The Hike to the waterfall and to the pond of "Charco de la Virgin" is a moderate 2,4 km one way hike.
Note: Best time is during a dry period in spring and autumn or summer time, because of water levels at the river crossings.

The road towards Sierra de las Nieves mountain range,takes you through the lush valley of
Rio grande, alongside orange, almond and olive groves.

We stopped at a viewpoint (Mirador, Ermita de San Roque) just 3 km from the village of Tolox.

Here we had good panoramic view of the village with the snowy mountains
(Sierra de las Nieves) behind.

The Chapel of San Roque was built in the 80s in honour of the patron Saint of Tolox. Since the XIV century San Roque defends the town against the plague and all types of epidemics.

As seen here on the photo the Saint was accompanied by a dog,
which as legend says, the dog saved his life.

Take a closer look at the road signs!
They are heart shaped.

Ahead of us the village Tolox.

We drove through the village and parked our car near the Hotel Balneario.

From here we walked about 350 meters along an avenue of majestic eucalyptus trees to the "Balneario de Amargosa".

We find ourselves in the Snowy mountain nature reserve.
"Sierrra de las Nieves"

At the end of the avenue you will find various information boards.

High above us a bronze statue of a Spanish Ibex (Macho Montés) a symbol of the Sierra de las Nieves.

The following board reads, the walk of the trees

"Paseo de los Árboles"

At the beginning of the 20th century, the children of the college of Tolox planted these eucalyptus trees. Today and 80 years after, the people of Tolox continue their work and plant a tree in the name of the new born child in Tolox. On this historic walk we encounter many different species of trees and bushes native of the Sierra de las Nieves nature park. We also like to dedicate this walk to our Grandparents for their wisdom and work.

Information taken from board.

One of the information boards describes the route we want to go on.
Sendero Charco de la Virgin.

"Balneario de Fuente Amargosa"

Amargos Spring Spa

Although some texts from 1789 prove that the Tolox sulfurous and medicinal water springs have been known for centuries, it was not until 1867, when the famous local chemist, José García Rey, discovered the spring after which the spa has been named. Since then, the waters, which include sulphurous and magnesium minerals, have been proved ideal for treatment and prevention of respiratory and urinary illnesses. Patients, who were affectionately known as "agüistas" (water people), would inhale and be sprayed with the water or would have to drink the water if their kidneys were being treated.

The waters were opened for public use in 1871. In 1900, a hotel, that is still open today, was built. The original spa building, after being destroyed in 1906 by flood, was replaced by the present building that dates from 1910. Later, in 1931, the top floor was added, preserving the original building style.

Since it opened, the spa has obtained national and international renown thanks to the efficiency of the treatments offered and has also become a tourist attraction, especially when it opens in the summer.

A number of distinguished guests have visited this spa, such as the entire family of General Primo de River, the bull-fighter Lagartijo, the Poet Salvador Rueda or the actress Imperio Argentina.

Information taken from board.

We walk right, towards to the end of the Spa.

It is here where the actual walkway starts.
A sign points you to a river crossing.

This wooden bridge can only be crossed when water levels are low.

We walk across

and follow the narrow footpath.

Soon we find ourselves in harmony with nature.

We have to criss-cross the river various times on this route to the waterfall.

We follow the rocky path uphill.

As we reached the higher elevation we were able to get a glimpse of the yellow/green building of the Spa through the trees.

The rocky path leads us higher up and away from the river.

An irrigation canal dating back to the time of the Nasari (1220 -1500).

A painted stone or a marked pole tells us we are on the right track.

On the way we pass a small orange grove.

A view eastwards across the valley and the orange grove towards Tolox.

Further up we go!

Deep down the river and alongside an irrigation canal.

A look back along the valley towards Tolox.

A view upwards!

The difference in altitude is approx, 180 meters.

The steep hills are covered with pine trees.

These mountains are composed by a rock of igneous origin called Peridotite where a vigorous pine forest grows, together with dwarf fan palms (Palmera enana), junipers (Enebros), mastic trees (Lentiscos) and gorse bushes (Aulagas).

Occasionally you see dwarf fan palms growing next to the path.

Mediterranean Dwarf palm, Palmera enana (Chamaerops humilis)

Also called European Fan palm is a shrub like cluster palm and the northernmost naturally occurring palm in the world and the only native one to the Iberian peninsula and the Balearic. It is a very hardy slow growing palm (2-5m), drought tolerant and can withstand cold temperatures (up to -12ºC of the high elevations of the Sierras of Southern Spain and the Atlas mountains/Morocco), but does prefers hot summers.

At the crossing we carry straight on.

The rocky path turns into a narrow forest road.

A sign telling you to be aware!

You tend to see Eucalyptus trees and oleander bushes where there is ground water.

Sweet scent of the oleander flowers fills the air.

From May - June you will find wild Oleander bushes in bloom along road sides and river beds.

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.

A lizard with a bright green tale taking in the warmth of a rock.

We pass an old ruin, what kind of history it beholds.

Eucalyptus trees with their silvery stems.

Eucalyptus trees (Eucalipto) native to Australia, were introduced to the Iberian peninsula in the 19th century. After 1908 the Spanish government established policies for development and forestation of eucalyptus trees which were planted to compensate for the deficit of wood. Now they are widely spread and can be found everywhere in the countryside.