Tajo del Molino
Prologue:
Directions:
We stopped briefly at the Observatorio de Aves (Bird observatory) which you find just a few meters after the crossroad C-341 and A-357.
The drive to the Tajo del Molino takes you alongside the Sierra Peñarrubia towards the right, and the fertile lands of the Guadalteba region on the left.
The stony path is hardly visible.
As soon as we enter the gorge we are immediately taken with the
prehistoric surroundings.
The water of the Rio de Venta gushes over the rocks and out of the gorge.
There is a colony of Bats here
and the Iberian Ibex (Cabra Montes) like to use the hollows in search of protection.
A view back towards the bridge.
At this point you have to cross to the other side of the river,
which also was no problem when water level is low.
In the skies way above us birds of prey soar and glide.
Griffon vultures, Bonelli eagles, Kestrels and many more can be seen here.
High in the rock face the eagles have there eyries, and further down swallows and pigeons and other birds have their nests.
The chirruping of the swallows, as they turn and twist effortlessly,
echoes through the gorge.
At times we have to do a balancing act.
Dainty blue and lilac flowers
Far ahead towards the south lays the open country of Guadalteba.
This view is towards the north.
At dizzy heights, the view up to the top of the cliff .
It gives us a humble feeling to be able to walk through this amazing gorge.
Just stunning!
Now we find ourselves on the roof top of the former mill.
The flour mill also used to be an Inn (Venta),
that is why the river is called Rio de Venta.
We carry on along the path and wonder where it leads us to.
Dwarf Fan Palms (Palmera Enano) grow between the rocks.
A view up stream.
Between the rock there are small aromatic yellow bushes.
If you let you imagination run free, you expect to see Dinosaurs approaching!
Refreshed and nourished, we make our way uphill.
This view takes us towards the west and towards Teba.
With the help of GPS we walk towards the east and then south.
Daisies and Irises.
We have reached a plateau at about 630 meters above sea level.
Luckily the plateau was sparce with vegetation and we had no difficulty to wander on.
In the distance we can make out Teba castle.
The view towards the north and the village of Campillos and the nearby lagoons.
Deep down the reservoir Embalse del Guadalteba.
Carefully we move on.
Relieved to have reached the bottom we turn west alongside a wheat field.
On the way we pass an old ruin.
and, as we look across the wheat field, a group of Spanish Ibex (Cabra de Monte)
are grazing, ignoring our presence.
Map of the hike
The Tajo del Molino is located just 3 km from the village of Teba, Málaga Province, in the Sierra Peñarrubia.
The Tajo is seen like a cut through the mountain in which the river Rio de Venta winds it course. About halfway through the gorge you find the ruins of an old flour mill (Molino). Sierra Peñarrubia dates back to the Jurassic period and when walking through the gorge you get the feeling of how natural forces have shaped the rock strata during millenniums. The Limestone mountain of Sierra Peñarrubia are of outstanding beauty and of high geological interest. There are many caves and hollows within the canyon making it an ideal refuge for wildlife and birds.
The most remarkable cave is Cueva de Palomas which contains archaeological remains from the Neolithic era.
The Hike was most enjoyable mainly because of the fascinating rock formations and the beautiful countryside. We would consider the walk difficult, because there was no proper path and no markings along the way. A GPS device would be advisable when taking this circular route.
- Coming from Marbella A-7 you take the exit towards Coín A-355.
- At Coín you carry on towards Campillos A-357.
- About 15 km from Ardales you take the 2nd turning towards Teba C-341. You drive past the Reservoir "Embalse del Guadalteba".
- The Bird observatory (Observatorio de Aves) is about 100 meters from the crossroad. The Tajo del Molino is a further 3 km drive.
- The Hike is a 6 km circular walk. 1,5 km are through the gorge. You cover about 240 meters in altitude difference when walking over the mountain Peñarrubia.
We stopped briefly at the Observatorio de Aves (Bird observatory) which you find just a few meters after the crossroad C-341 and A-357.
The following information is taken from a board at the bottom of the Castilon Peak
Geologocal Location:
The Castillón Peak of the Sierra Peñarrubia, forms part of the Subbetic domain of the outer zones of the Baetic Cordillera, and corresponds to the primitive sea bed from the Jurassic Period (145 million years ago).
Type of Rock:
White and grey limestone in strata or layers of varying thickness. At the base of the sierra there is a rocky area covered by limestone,caused by the accumulation of detached rocks over millions of years.
Age:
The fossil content of the rocks has made it possible to age the rocks. The age dates back to the Jurassic Period, 145 million years ago.
Tectonics:
The Castillón Peak is formed by strata or layers of limestone slanted at about 30º in the south east thus creating a slope on the relief. On the east face, it has a vertical scarp cased by an impressive fault.
Geological importance:
Although the strata are originally horizontal, it is unusual that they remain like that for long. The crust is formed from tectonic plates that separate in certain areas and come together and collide, distortions are produced in the materials. The movement of the crust deforms the materials in the crust by bending and fracturing them. Limestone from the Castilllón Peak was formed from the sediment accumulated on the sea bed of a primitive sea, the Tethys Sea. This sea was located between the Iberian tectonic plate and the African plate. When these plates came together, they compressed the sediments from the Tethys sea. The horizontal forces wrinkled the sedimentary rocks which emerged from the sea and caused the formation of tilted folds and strata, similar rock to the ones that we can see on the Castillón Peak.
The compression stage of the plates which formed the mountains of the Comarca de Guadalteba was followed by distension and movement. This distension caused fractures (faults and joints) in rigid materials such as those that form the Castillón Peak.
We left our car on the other side of the bridge and followed a narrow path down to the river.
From the bridge you get a good view of the gorge.
The aftermath of the autumn rains,
which caused havoc to this small community, are still visible.
which caused havoc to this small community, are still visible.
The stony path is hardly visible.
As soon as we enter the gorge we are immediately taken with the
prehistoric surroundings.
The water of the Rio de Venta gushes over the rocks and out of the gorge.
You are able to see many caves and hollows in the rock face throughout the gorge as a consequence of karstification produced by water.
Many animals find refuge in this caves.
There is a colony of Bats here
and the Iberian Ibex (Cabra Montes) like to use the hollows in search of protection.
A view back towards the bridge.
So far the walk was not too difficult.
At this point you have to cross to the other side of the river,
which also was no problem when water level is low.
In the skies way above us birds of prey soar and glide.
Griffon vultures, Bonelli eagles, Kestrels and many more can be seen here.
High in the rock face the eagles have there eyries, and further down swallows and pigeons and other birds have their nests.
The chirruping of the swallows, as they turn and twist effortlessly,
echoes through the gorge.
At times we have to do a balancing act.
Carefully we make our way along the riverbed.
Dainty blue and lilac flowers
Far ahead towards the south lays the open country of Guadalteba.
This view is towards the north.
At dizzy heights, the view up to the top of the cliff .
High above us the birds of prey rule the sky.
We also saw some rooks or crows patrolling the cliff walls.
Ahead of us the old flour mill (Molino de Venta).
A small track leads above and over the ruins.
A view back from whence we came.
Just stunning!
The flour mill also used to be an Inn (Venta),
that is why the river is called Rio de Venta.
We carry on along the path and wonder where it leads us to.
Dwarf Fan Palms (Palmera Enano) grow between the rocks.
This view is down stream.
We carry on along a mule track.
A man made stone wall to protect the path.
Between the rock there are small aromatic yellow bushes.
 |
| Broom, Genista, (Genisteae) |
Moss an Lichens growing on the rock face.
Dainty looking flowers
The view behind us.
If you let you imagination run free, you expect to see Dinosaurs approaching!
We have reached the end of the gorge and fertile lands lay ahead of us.
The Rio de Venta turns towards the left upstream.
Unfortunately the path has ended and we follow a dry riverbed towards the right.
Unfortunately the path has ended and we follow a dry riverbed towards the right.
This makes an ideal place for a picnic overlooking the fertile land.
A beautiful wheat field in vivid green and olive groves in front of us.
A very tranquil setting.
As we looked around we saw Irises and Dwarf Daffodils amongst the grass.
 |
| Iris/Pé-de-burro (Gynandriris sisyrinchium) |
 |
| Dwarf Daffodils, Narciso, (Narcissus wilkommii) |
Refreshed and nourished, we make our way uphill.
This view takes us towards the west and towards Teba.
This view is back along the gorge.
We try to follow various goat tracks between the Esparto grass uphill.
With the help of GPS we walk towards the east and then south.
Daisies and Irises.
We have reached a plateau at about 630 meters above sea level.
Luckily the plateau was sparce with vegetation and we had no difficulty to wander on.
The 360º panoramic views are stunning from here.
In the distance we can make out Teba castle.
The view towards the north and the village of Campillos and the nearby lagoons.
The view south.
Deep down the reservoir Embalse del Guadalteba.
Carefully we move on.
At times it was rather difficult not to get lost between the thickets.
In front of us the road to Teba and the village with the castle Castillo de la Estrella.
High above of us the Sierra Peñarrubia
and, as we look across the wheat field, a group of Spanish Ibex (Cabra de Monte)
are grazing, ignoring our presence.
Map of the hike
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