Casarabonela

A Scenic Walk through the Countryside 

Sendero Camino de la Dehesa PR-A 270

Prologue:

The municipality of Casarabonela is situated in the north east of the Sierra de las Nieves in Málaga Province. The village and its surrounding countryside has a long history, and still today some of the Roman and Moorish traces can be found. Casarabonela lays in the foothills of the Sierra Prieta overlooking the lush river valley of the Rio Guadalhorce.  

       The Hike 

• was a 11,3 km  fairly easy walk along a forest road. 
• An inclination of 350 meters over a stretch of 5,5 km.
• The panoramic views along the way reach as far as the Sierra Nevada (east),   Sierra de Mijas (south) and towards the coast of Málaga. 

         Directions:

• From Marbella AP-7 head north onto A-355 towards Ojen and onto Coín.
• You stay on the fast road and follow the signs towards Campillos A-357.
• After 7,8 km you turn left onto A-354 towards Casarabonela.
• At the village you turn right at AV. Fernando Diaz Herrero onto A-7275 and onto MA-5401 towards El Burgo. 
• To the Puerto Martínez it takes about 10 minutes 5,2 km from Casarabonela.
• From Marbella it takes about 1 hour /60 km. 

The road MA-5401 Burgos-Ardales takes you above the village Casarabonela.

We parked the car near the information board of Puerto Martínez at MA-4401 Km 16.



Across the main road from the restaurant Venta de Carmen, 

it is here where we started the walk. 
"Sendero Camino de la Dehesa PR-A 270"

 Ancient walkways of the countryside

"Antiquo camino de la Dehesa"

These ancient walkways, many of roman origins, were commonly used by people for many centuries. Some of the cobble stone pathways are still visible near some of the villages in the Sierra de las Nieves.

This sign points towards an ancient Roman path which leads to Casarabonela.



As we follow a forest road uphill and we looked between the pine trees 
we were blessed with beautiful panoramic views.

Ahead of us the peak of Pico Prieta



A view south 
and across the village of Casarabonela and on towards the coast, in the distance 
the Sierra de Mjas and Sierra of Monda/Coín.



A view east, 
and on clear days you are able to see the snow capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada. 



The Sierra Alpujata near Coín, are between the Sierra de Mjas to the east and the 
Sierra Blanca to the west.



The bay of Málaga on the left side.




In front of us the, peak Pico Prieta (1518 m).



Various wildflowers line the roadside.

Purple Milk Thistle, Cardota, (Galactites tomentosa) 

Rock rose (Cistaceae), Jara blanca, (Cistus albidus)

Purple Jerusalem Sage,  Matagallo, (Phlomis purpurea)

A view over the pine forest and across the river valley of Rio Guadalhorce.




A view of a footpath which leads to the village and below the road we came on.

This view takes you towards the bay of Málaga and the airport.



In the centre, the village of Pizarra which is set along a hillside overlooked by a large statue of Santo Christo.



Leisurely we stroll on and enjoy the beautiful scenery.



A view towards the coast.



The white Limestone peak of Sierra Huma (1191m) near the Desfilatero de Gaitanos Nature Park and where you find the famous King's pathway "Caminito del Rey".



A view in the direction of Málaga bay and the airport.



The view east.

As we reached an open space near a large curve, we were able to see Casarabonela below us.




Steadily we wander on and enjoy the spectacular countryside. 



The road seems endless winding along the mountain side.



Deep down the village of Casarabonela.
On the horizon the Sierra Alpujata and the Sierra Blanca with the peak of La Concha.




The forest road we walked on.



The view north and the limestone mountain of  Sierra de Huma.




We are approaching a promontory.





A Birdseye view of Casarabonela.

In the distance the Sierra Blanca mountain range with the peak of La Concha,

 facing Cerro de la Blanquilla

What scenery!



We enjoy every minute!



At the small outcrop we found an ideal place for a picnic.

This spot allows us to rest and take in the fantastic scenery.



Overlooking the village of Casarabonela.



Near a rock and hidden in the undergrowth a mysterious plant.

Chupamieles, Cytinus hypocistis,
it is a parasitic plant which is pollinated by ants.

From here the forest road is visible, as it winds itself along the mountain side.



About 100 meters on we saw some signs pointing uphill.



As we were sitting here and taking in the panoramic views ,we could
hear the bells of  goats as they approached.



It was a very large herd guided by some dogs.



They sure knew where they were heading too.



We followed  them on a narrow footpath uphill.



Suddenly we found ourselves surrounded by them. 



They looked as curious of us, as we of them.

Nibbling and crunching, they headed on their way.



This view takes us along the road we came on.



The footpath is leading to the mountain pass of Puerto de la Jácara, 
and on the left side, the peak of Pico Prieta (1518m).




The hill side is covered with yellow blooming bushes.



This view takes you towards the north, 
in direction of the villages of Ardales and Carratraca. 



You find Dwarf Fan Palms growing  everywhere in the southern Iberian peninsula. They are the most northern native grown palm species.



We are standing here on the mountain ridge at approx. 1000 m above sea level.



The path is leading over the ridge to the north/west side of the mountain.



We  decided to return by the same route back.



As we walked we tried to imprint the views in our memory.



A view towards the Mediterranean coast near Málaga.



Below us Casarabonela and in the distance the villages of Alhaurin el Grande and Coín.

Some more wildflowers we saw on the way.







Map of the hike

Wikiloc: Casarabonela, Sendero Camino de la Dehesa

How to get to Casarabonela