Benarrabá - Algatocín - PR-A 239 (Valle del Genal)

This delightful route connects the villages of Benarrabá and Algotocín, crossing four arroyos on the way. The tracks are wide and well-drained. Many of the streams are ducted under the track, so they are no problem to cross. There are fields of spring flowers, stacks of cork, and a pasarela leading into Algatocín that offers dizzying views through the metal grate to the water below.

Notes
About halfway to Algatocín (at km 3.2) at the waypoint labeled “track intersection”, there is a choice of two different routes to enter Algatocín: the PR-A 239 or the route followed by the Gran Vuelta Valle del Genal. The left fork at this intersection follows the PR-A 239 to the main road (the A-369), and continues 0.5 km along the road until reaching an intriguing pasarela leading into Algatocín. If you prefer to stay off the road, take the right fork at the waypoint labeled ‘track intersection”, and follow the GVVG route along a track into Algatocín. (See the photo of this waypoint for a color-coded explanation.)

Walk 26 of a long-distance walk through the Serranía de Ronda
From our journal.
After ten days of record-breaking rainfall, we had an equipment decision to make this morning: donate the large black umbrella we bought in Córdoba to the hotel or find a way to take it with us. Before the trip, I had actually considered getting two lightweight hiking umbrellas that attach to a backpack, but decided they would just be extra weight we would have to carry that would hardly get used, given the generally good weather in Andalucia. Little did I know... Since the prediction is for ten more days of rain in addition to the ten we’ve already had, it would have been a wise investment. In the end, our big black umbrella went into the slot on Ned’s pack meant for hiking poles. We didn’t need it today as the rain mostly held off until evening, but I bet it will be handy tomorrow when another big storm is predicted to arrive.

Possibilities for eating/sleeping
Casa El Alambique is a lovely restored olive mill. Staying here is like living in a museum.
Benarrabá also has the largest supermarket in the area, Super Valle del Genal, open seven days a week; a pharmacy; and a health clinic with 24-hour emergency staffing including on weekends.

Resources
Fedamon PR-A 239 brochure
www.fedamon.com/senderos/prs/archivospdf/malaga/PR-A%20239_infosenderos_web.pdf

Walking tour of Benarrabá
www.andalucia.com/province/malaga/benarraba/tour.htm

GVVG alternative track if wanting to avoid walking 0.5 km on the main road at the entrance to Algatocín
https://es.wikiloc.com/rutas-carrera-por-montana/gvvg2021-ultra-trail-48293868

Previous day’s walk: Benarrabá circular - 3 arroyos - Rio Genal
www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/benarraba-circular-3-arroyos-rio-genal-valle-del-genal-81119506

Next day’s walk: Algatocín
www.wikiloc.com/walking-trails/algatocin-valle-del-genal-82749272

Link to journal
http://hiking.topicwise.com/doc/GenalValley