Casares, Costa del Sol

A Walk from the Roman Baths along the Riverbed . 

Baños Romanos de la Hedionda - Rio Manilva.

The bridge come aqueduct was constructed in the XVI.

Charco del Inferno (Hell's Pool)

Prologue:

The walk in the riverbed of Rio Manilva is geologically speaking, very interesting. We started at the Roman bath of Baño de la Hedionda near the village of Manilva and Sabanillas on the western part of the Costa del Sol.  The area actually belonging to the municipality of Casares, a mountain village, about 20 minutes drive from the coast.

As you near the baths, you first can smell the sulphurous water from afar, and the milky green look of the water and the bleached vegetation in and close to the stream give an unreal appearance. 

We have chosen late spring and a period of dry weather, just to be sure there is not too much water in the river bed to walk in,  as it happens, this year we hardly had any rain. The first part was fairly easy, later on we had to climb over large boulders and along a ridge near an irrigation channel, where a chain is installed to help secure your grip.

Map of the hike

Click on link: Wikiloc: Rio Manilva - Baño de Hedionda

• The Walk along and in the riverbed to the rock pool Charco del Inferno is approx. 2,7 km from the car park.
• Note: Best times to walk through the gorge are spring and autumn. Don't forget to take water along and wear hiking shoes, and avoid times after heavy rains. Maybe you would like to take a bathing suit along, in case you want to use the sulphurous baths, which of cause will be best enjoyed in the hotter months of the year, entry is free.

     Directions:

• When coming from Marbella head south on the A-7 in the direction of  Algeciras/Cadíz.
• After approx. 30 minutes you reach Sabanillas, take the 1st exit at the roundabout (Supermarket Lidl km 145) towards Camino de Baños. 
•  After 4km/8 minutes you reach a large parking area and the
• Roman bath is approx. 250 meters from there.

It is said that the Roman Emperor "Caesar" had the baths built, and used these sulphurous waters to heal his ailments. The waters are thought to have healing purposes, especially for skin problems.

Later it was renovated by the Moors and throughout time minor alterations have been made.

The sulphur spa is covered, which makes it more enjoyable for bathers. Beyond the arch there is another chamber.

The sulphur waters flow down into various shallow pools.

Further along, after about 80 meters the spring waters flow into the 

"Arroyo Albarrán" or Rio Manilva.

On the ground beside the river, you will find  picnic tables.

As our intention is to walk along the riverbed we followed the road above the bath house in northerly direction.

In spring you find many wild flowers lining the roadside.

White and green stripes painted on a rock indicates a way-sign.

Overlooking the "Finca de Ocaña".

Moving on, we come to the ruins of an old mill,   

"Molina de la Chica" or Molino de ls Ánimas.

A view across the riverbed towards the east.

The road ended at an entrance gate to a Finca (farm house), 

where we turned right and walked alongside the wall. 

The footpath leads down to the river.

We follow the dried out riverbed upstream northwards.

To start the riverbed was fairly easy to walk in.

Oleander bushes grow in the riverbed. 

The pink bloom start to form in late spring and throughout the summer.

 The layers of rock have been exposed by the stream flow of water throughout millennia of erosion.

We leave the riverbed by a group of Carob trees (Algarrobo).   

Under the tree the carob seed pods lay scattered on the ground.

The footpath leads across a clearing with many wild flowers.

We try to work out where  is best way to walk!

The footpath crisscrosses the river from left to right ....

Lush vegetation surrounds us.

Interesting colored rock.

 The painted stripes show you that you are on the right track.

As we walk along this ancient path we wonder who might have  used it in the  centuries before us.

The green bean pots of a carob tree.

So far it is easy going!

Everywhere we look we find signs where the flow of water has left  its mark.

The footpath passes a group of eucalyptus trees.

 Close up it looks like one tree with eight trunks.

Dainty pink flowers in the undergrowth.

We carry on further upstream.

At times the track it is hard to see.

A fig tree shows off it's new green leaves.

A succulent plant seen clinging to a rock.

The track winds itself along.

We find ourselves back in the riverbed.

If we want to carry on we have to conquer some boulders.

Having reached "Charca de la Paloma"  

we notice a cut in the broad rock face on the left-side.

It could have served as an irrigation channel.

We climb above the gash and carefully step forward.

A chain helped us safely across.

It was fascinating to find frogs in a small rock-pool. 

Quite remarkable, how this tree stump was squashed between the rocks.

Wild and untamed!

High above us the rocks look like giant building blocks piled up.

Now we find ourselves deep inside the river gorge.

Still we try to stumble forward.

Footsteps of a giant!!

Always on the lookout to discover birds of prey gliding through the sky.

High above us we notice a cave, perhaps someones home once!

This place makes an ideal spot for a picnic.

Amazing countryside!

It is hard to imagine that water would be gushing through here at times.

The Charco del Inferno (Hell's pool) marks the end for us this time.

A shame, the water is not quite for bathing!

Many frogs can be seen in the pond.

After enjoying this

fascinating place, we headed back the way came on.

Evidence of flood waters.

Throughout the riverbed you find dwarf fan palms (Palmera enano)

A blooming pomegranate tree.

On the return route we decided to walk longer in the riverbed.

A view downstream towards the coast.

A narrow footpath cut through the field of wild Margarets.

Back at the bridge. 

We find this site is so very photogenic.

We decided to cool off a bit.

so we are head back to the car park.

A giant old leafless eucalyptus tree.

A view across from the car park and towards the vine orchards of Manilva.

How to get to the Roman Baths "Baños de la Hedionda"

Related Blog: A Walk through the gorge of "Canuto de laUtrera"