Following the flow of Water through the Village
Prologue:
The rural village of Cuevas del Becerro is just 20 minutes north/east of Ronda in the Málaga Province. Cuevas del Becerro is located on high plateau at 724 meters surrounded by mountains. As the gateway to the Serranía to Ronda and bordering to the Sierra de las Nieves National Park it is surrounded by an outstanding natural environment. Water is the main protagonist in the village and you can hear the sound of water everywhere.
Many civilizations have left there mark in and around the village of Cuevas del Becerro.
The village history dates back to the Paleolithic era, followed by the Romans, Moors and Christians to modern day man. It still reflects in their traditions and poetries today.
And on a beautiful day in May we took a round trip via Coín, Árdales, Teba to Cuevas del Becerro and the return trip via Ronda and San Pedro de Alcantara back to Marbella. It is a very scenic drive through rugged mountainy landscape and through fertile farmland. Spectacular panoramic views are guaranteed along the way.
From the source of "El Nacimiento", the water flows along the river Rio Carrizal and in underground channels until it cascades over the rocks of a large waterfall, and out of the village into the river Rio de las Cuevas.
Cuevas del Becerro likes to show it's artistic side throughout the village, in portraying wood carvings, poetical inscriptions on tiles and colourful illustrated information boards. The village especially likes to attract families, and teaches the awareness of the importance of water.
Dead trees have been given a new artistic appearance.
You find these carvings and the poetic written board in the park of
"El Nacimiento".
La Cuevas del Becerro
La Cueva is a beautiful sorceress that attracts you, envelops you, surrounds you, and bewitches you with its captivating mountain surroundings
It attracts you with its Jurassic peaks climbing towards the blue sky, with the ancient and seductive calls that emerge from its fields, with the enigma and stories that slumber in each of its corners, and seduces you with its siren song, both pristine and dark, and enchants you with the enveloping silence of its ancient stones.
Until it finally and forever captures you with the fraternal embrace of its people, with that character that has always defined the inhabitants of La Cueva
Text translated from information board
You find the fountain in Callejon de la Fuente Gertrudis.
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| Translation done by a photo translator. |
Directions:
- In Marbella exit the highway AP-7 and drive towards Ojén A-355 onto Coín.
- At a junction exit the roundabout and drive north towards Campillos A-357. You bypass the villages of Pizarra and Árdales.
- After approx. 68 km exit the A-357 onto the A-367, and the road takes you onto Cuevas del Becerro.
- From Marbella to Cuevas del Becerro takes about 1h 30 min/98 km.
- The return trip, from Cuevas Becerro you drive west on the A-367 towards Ronda.
- In Ronda at the roundabout exit and drive towards San Pedro de Alcantara A-397.
- Back on the AP-7 drive east towards Marbella.
- The total roundtrip takes about 2h 40min approx. 180 km.
On the road A-367 you reach a roundabout with an old tractor in the middle which has a sculpture of a farmworker on it, you find the entrance to the pueblo on the east side of it.
A large fountain in Calle Andalucía welcomes visitors to the town.
We parked the car in Calle Andalucía and walked along to Avenida las Eras.
Having reached the area of "El Nacimiento" (the source), we find a large park with lots of mature trees and water channels. The trickle of water and birds twittering is everywhere.
A nearby information board shows you which kind of birds can be observe here.
The River Bridge
Sharpen your hearing!! It is time to hear and listen. I want you to find a comfortable spot, sit or lie down quietly, close your eyes, relax and just concentrate on the sounds that reach you, so you can distinguish them and then discuss them among yourselves. You can repeat the test, this time paying special attention to the birdsong; you're sure to hear the beautiful melodies of many of these birds. Text translated from the board.
Robin, Kingfisher White Wagtail, Goldfinch, Dipper, Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Nightingale and many more.
At a corner of the white building which within is the source "El Nacimiento", spring water gushes out from two spouts. The local people come regularly to top up with spring water.
So we thought we would give it a try too!
The spring water is very clear and refreshing. We fill up our drink bottle before we stroll on.
You will find various tables and benches here, it makes an ideal place for a picnic.
It is a very relaxing place!
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| Bear's Breeches, Acanto (Acanthus mollis) |
"La Era", this is the place which was used to thresh the grain.
A map of the village highlighting some points of interest.
We walk towards the left of the spring fountain and followed a water channel.
Up a small hill you see a giant bench,
from here you have great views over the surrounding countryside.
A rock garden near the source took our interest.
We climbed up some steps and found a statue of a Spanish Ibex (Cabra de Montés),
which is a symbol for the Serranìa de Ronda region.
Across from the park of "El Nacimiento" is a play ground.
From there we followed the river down stream.
A stone bridge leads across to farm land.
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| Translation done by a photo translator |
Looking out for some wildlife,
we saw little fishes and frogs in the water.
Some ducks were busy with nest building.
From this point the river carried on underground.
Above the gate on a old plank of wood, is lovely engraved poetry.
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| Translation done by a photo translator |
From the "Plaza la Repùblica" we walked along Calle los Jardines.
At the end of the street we turned into "Calle Era de la Tabla" which leads to
"La Chorrera" or "El Cao" the waterfall.
We found ourselves on a long balcony with a viewing platform.
is quite breath-taking!
Views across the fertile countryside.
A view down to the viewpoint "Mirador El Molino", our next destination.
Having reached the viewpoint, fantastic panoramic views await you.
A beautiful illustrated information board is about the surrounding area.
The sound of gushing water is deafening to our ears.
In this area there used to be a hydraulic flour mill.
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| Translated done by a photo translator |
Some of the old machinery is still standing here.
A carved eagle is standing vigilant.
A view over the river valley.
As so many information boards in Cuevas, this one also comes with a poem.
Listen to the melody of the water as it falls from the heights, each drop each splashing and wetting another, transmitting that natural freshness that reaches our faces through a pleasant, damp breeze.
An information board shows you all the birds of prey you may observe here.
Black vulture, Griffon vulture, Bearded vulture, Egyptian vulture, Golden Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Bonelle's Eagle, Osprey, Red and Black Kite, Marsh Harrow, Peregrine Falcon, Eleonora's Falcon, Kestrel, Merlin and many more
From the viewpoint we walked downwards, we past some very old buildings.
At the bottom we turned left and followed the sign Chorrera "Cao"
The trunk of a huge tree which has fallen across the pathway.
50 meters along the footpath we stood right next to the waterfall.
It was impressive!
A group of very large mature trees standing at the bottom of the waterfall.
We think they must've been Elm trees, which can reach a height of 30 meters tall.
The red blooms of poppies brighten up way sides.
We follow the way-sign back to the village centre.
Upwards we go!
We turned a corner and saw a beautiful fountain.
"Fuente Gertrudis"
It symbolises (A day in the country).
We turned into Calle Andalucía which brought us back to the main road A-367
The round trip to Cuevas del Becerro
We walked along Calle Real and then turned into Calle Horno (photo below)
We turned into Calle Andalucía which brought us back to the main road A-367
Across the street by the roundabout we had a very nice lunch in
"Restaurante Lagares"
We highly recommend the menu of the day, especially the homemade deserts.
Map of our route through the village Cuevas del Becerro
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| Click on link: Wikiloc: Cuevas del Becerro |
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