On the Search of the Lost Walkway
"La Senda Perdida"
Unique wooden sculptures!!
Prologue:
The village of Cartajima in the Serranía de Ronda, west of Málaga Province, is one of the first white village you come to on the route of Fray Leopoldo. You drive along a mountain road in a rugged scenic landscape.
When you are on the lost Walkway "La Senda Perdida" of Cartajima you will see along the way large wooden sculptures handcrafted by a local artist Diego Guerrero, .
It is a short and easy walk (900 meters one way, 20-26 m altitude difference). The walkway starts approx. 1 km from the entrance to Cartajima. It is an enjoyable walk for the whole family, and offers various resting points. You can enjoy fantastic views over the Copper forest, "El Bosque de Cobre" and the Sierra de las Nieves mountains in the distance.
As you walk through the village in search of La Senda Perdida, you notice the colourful facades and beautifully illustrated murals which portray the village life and history of Cartajima.
The village of Cartajima is situated at a height of 846 m above sea level and is the highest village of Málaga Province, it stands in a very dramatic landscape in the Upper Genal. To the north you see the bare and inhospitable limestone cliff of Cartajimalos riscos, and to the south deep valleys with Chestnut orchards, Cork oak and Pine forests and green pastures. The scenic views which surround the village are stunning,especially in autumn and winter when you can see the snow caped mountains of the Sierra de las Nieves with its highest peak Torrecilla (1919 m).
Directions:
- Drive from Marbella A-7 towards San Pedro Alcántara.
- Exit the A-7 at San Pedro Alcántara and drive towards Ronda A-397.
- When you reach the plateau after about 50 minutes a sign indicating the Route of Fray Leopoldo (Ruta del Legado de Fray Leopoldo) which you will follow.
- At the junction you turn left onto MA-7306 and towards the villages of Cartajima (6 km/12 minutes). Cartajima is the first village you come to.
- Note: It is best to park the car at the beginning of the village, which applies to all the villages in Andalucía.
Map of the hike
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| >>>Click on link: Wikiloc. Cartajima, La Senda Perdida |
The Walk starts through the village, and its surrounding area is very enjoyable and is suited for all ages. The natural surroundings and panoramic views are captivating.
At the entrance to the village you hardly can miss it, a small building with beautifully illustrated murals gives you an insight of what Cartajima has to offer.
An information board also tells you of the various hiking trails to the nearby villages which start from here.
The following mural displays the important role the river played in the village life.
Below, the mural is dedicated to the women of Cartajima.
The village church Iglesia de Ntra. Sra. del Rosario
We walked south/west through the village,
from Calle del Serillo and turned left onto Av. Andalucia.
You can follow the numbered signs (which might especially be fun for young families) or as we did, we first walked up to a viewpoint of the Upper Genal Basin.
"Mirador Cuenca del Alta Genal".
At the viewpoint we not only admired the vista,
we also were able to read up on the long history of the village.
Cartajima has still the Islamic layout of its narrow, winding streets. Some old facades date back to 18th century. These houses must have been built during an age of great prosperity and some important acts occurred in the town, including the remodelling of the parish church. This prosperity was caused by vine-growing and most of all, the extraction of iron for the cannons of Jimena de la Frontera. This economic strength caused the population of the village to rise, reaching 1500 inhabitants, which gave it the nickname Little Cádiz (Cádiz el Chico).
As we look across the valley we able to see the road as it winds itself alongside the barren limestone mountains of Oreganal and the cliffs of Los Riscos on the right side of the road and the deep more lusher valleys to the left. The road leads to the villages of Júzcar, Farajan and Alpandeire.
We left the village at Calle Calvario and followed a country lane.
On the way we pass by small vineyards, olive groves and we also saw many cultivated chestnut trees. I like to point out, that Cartajima is famous for making grape(Uva)-mosto, a very enjoyable wine!
We see the wooden way sign "La senda Perdida", our destination.
At the way sign we kept to the left in direction Pujerra.
This village is approx. 4,4 km from here.
A view across the Copper forest, "El Bosque de Cobre", especially beautiful in autumn when the chestnut leaves change their the colour, but today when we walked in middle of April, the trees slowly put on their spring green colours.
The road forked, and we first walked along the lane to the right. Ahead of us on the hill was a viewpoint "Mirador de Quince" which attracted our curiosity.
A view back towards the village Cartajima and overlooked by the limestone mountains of Sierra Oreganal.
This view is towards the west and the lower part of the river valley Genal.
In the distance, amidst the lush countryside various village stick out like white specs.
In early spring the chestnut trees are still baren.
On the horizon the limestone mountain of "El Risco".
Surrounded by young chestnut trees an old one is still standing strong.
We gently stroll on and enjoy the panoramic views.
On this stretch, large cork oak trees line the county lane.
We keep on walking.....
the panorama, the vegetation, the trees, we admired it all.
What a magnificent cork oak tree, (Alcornoque), how old we wonder.
It is visible, that the bark has been shed in the last year or so.
A highlight for us was to see some goats and sheep approaching.
As we stepped aside to let the shepherd with his small herd pass by,
we noticed a strange creature on the wayside.
A Red striped Oil beetle, it is native to the western Mediterranean Basin.
Ahead of us the village of Pujerra and no sight of the Senda Perdida, so we turned around and walked up a small slope to the viewpoint "Mirador Quince".
It is a lovely spot for a picnic.
What a panorama!
The rugged barren mountains, and in its foothills, the village of Cartajima.
Back at the crossing we followed the somewhat smaller lane to the left when facing the way sign.
Daisies line the road side.
At last we are on the lost trail "La Senda Perdida".
Amazing to see this large, handcrafted sculptures of local wildlife.
They are created by a local artist Diego Guerrero,
he used driftwood and wood from dry chestnut trees affected by drought.
A lovely spot to take five and enjoy the natural surroundings.
After this short walk (approx. 900 m) on the forgotten trail (La Senda Perdida),
we headed back to the village.
This time we took a different route through the village of Cartajima and we came across some very old facades.
We wondered what history this house has!
Below a passage which is typical for a Pueblo Blanco.
On another street corner a mural of a lemon tree.
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| The festival of grape-must tasting is at the end of November. |
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| On the 15th of August there will be a possession to honour the local Saint. |
The colourful murals have certainly brightened up the village, what a wonderful idea, and through the unique handicrafts of local wildlife on the "Senda Perdida", it is a fine way to introduce family's to enjoy the natural surrounding. Cartajima is certainly worth a visit at any time of year.
How to get to Cartajima and to the nearby village of the Genal valley.
Related blog: Autumn in the Serranía de Ronda
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