A walk through the sleepy village of Carratraca and to the ruins of the Chapel
"Sendero Ermita, LLano de Arenalejos"
Prologue:
The white village of Carratraca, just 30 minutes drive north from Málaga town, is located in the Guadalteba region of Málaga Province. If you have driven to the famous Caminito del Rey (the Kings Way) and to the big lakes come reservoirs Embalse Conde de Guadalhorce, Guadalhorce and Guadalteba in the nature park of Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, you have seen the village of Carratraca sitting alongside a hill towards the right of the road A-357 before you reach the village of Ardales.
Carratraca and the surrounding area of Sierra de Alcaparaín has a long history. The nearby caves are witness to the Palaeolithic times, like the cave by Ardales (Cueva de Doña de Trinidad) where cave paintings can be seen. They have also found a Neolithic burial ground and various artifacts dating back more than 20 000 years.
The Romas soon discovered the therapeutic properties of the spring waters of "La Glorieta", where coins of Tiberius, Claudius and Julius Caesar have been found.
Even so the village as we can see today, only really emerged in the early 19th century, after the popularity grew, and around 1830 to 1847 a new spa and a luxurious guest house were constructed to accommodate the many influential people from around the world, who came to visit and enjoy the sulphuric waters of Carratraca and its surroundings, it was known as "Little Monte Carlo". The poet Lord Byron was also a frequent visitor to the spa.
King Fernando XII, who stayed in the hotel, declared the sulphuric waters to be of public interest.
Directions:
- From Marbella AP-7 take turn off towards Ojén - Coin A-355 and than head north towards Campillos A-357.
- After approx. 57 km turn towards the village Carratraca A-7277.
- The walkway to the Chapel starts at the eastern end to the top of the village in Calle Glorieta. Sendero Ermita - LLanos de Arenalejos SL-A 302.
- The Hike up to the chapel is approx. 800 meters on a narrow rocky footpath and quite steep at times.
- The northern path from the top back to the village approx. 1 km, was much easier.
- Roughly you cover 150 meters in altitude difference.
Click on link below to the the complete route we took.
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| >>>Wikiloc: Sendero Ermita - LLanos de Arenalejos |
Coming from Málaga, the road A-357 follows the Guadalhorce river valley. It is a very scenic drive through cultivated land with and olive groves and occasional wheat fields. We drive past the white village of Pizarra as seen on the photo below, it is known for the statue of Christ "Santo Cristo" sitting on its highest point.
The village of Carratraca is another 15 minutes drive from here.
We left the car at the entrance to the village and walked from here.
To see and experience Andalusian countryside in springtime, this is my favourite time!
Overlooking fields of yellow blossomed sorrel and the old farmhouse,
it is like a picture post card.
We followed the street "Calle Málaga" upwards and thereafter walked onto Calle Baños.
In Carratraca you can find many interesting old facades.
Whitewashed houses with small Arabic style doors.
And patios walls covered with coloured flower pots.
The palace of Trinidad Grund (Casa de Trinidad Grund)
is currently the townhall (Ayuntamiento).
This emblematic building constructed in the "New Mudéjar" style, was once the summer residence of Doña Trinidad Grund.
Stunning panoramic views.
More or less opposite the town hall you find a large stone building,
it is the Spa or Bathing house "Balneario", which made Carratraca famous.
The 19th century building was constructed to house the old sulphurous spring water well.
The Spa hotel Villa Padierna is a luxury hotel, but is currently closed.
A panoramic view of the mountain range of "Sierra de Alcaparaín".
We follow the road further on until we see way-signs pointing to a small footpath on the left side.
An information board describing the route Ardales to ElChorro, which is part of the Great Walkway (Gran Senda de Málaga) around Málaga province.
A panoramic view south.
Overlooking a lush valley, deep down is the main road Málaga-Campillos A-357.
The stony footpath leads through a pine forest.
The hillside between the trees is full with blooming Sea Squill or Dirimía maritima.
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| Sea Squill/Dirimia maritima (Urginea maritima) |
This plant goes also under the name of Maritime squill, it has a very large bulb, sometime weighing more than 1 kilo and 20 cm in diameter. In Spring the bulb produces a tall inflorescence (it can reach up to 1,5 m heigh) with small white flowers. Later they turn into pea size seed pots. Sea squill grows mostly in rocky coastal terrain around the Mediterranean basin and prefers hot dry climate.
Some coloured stripes on a rock indicating that we are ion the right track.
On the way up we passed a small shrine.
The shrine is dedicated to "Nuestra Señora de Salud".
We followed the way-sign upwards.
Now the footpath is broader and easier to walk on.
Through the trees we can see some ruins.
As reading in the information given on the board,
a tragic event took place on the day before inauguration of the chapel took place.
Never the less it is a beautiful peaceful setting.
Stunning panoramic views all around.
This view is to the north/west.
Birdseye views of the village of Carratraca.
We retraced our steps back down and 300 meters after the shrine we followed the path to the right, and hoped it what be easier than the one we came on, and so it was.
A view down onto someone's front garden,
an idyllic setting.
A typical Andalucian alleyway, flowerpots everywhere!
The little street is called "Alley of Silence"!
The village of Carratraca is well worth a visit.
Click on link below to the complete route we took.
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