Cartajima - Arroyo Bolones (Valle del Genal)
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 4.38 mi
- Elevation gain
- 673 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 673 ft
- Max elevation
- 3,311 ft
- TrailRank
- 59
- Min elevation
- 2,736 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 3 hours 56 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1267
- Uploaded
- August 6, 2021
- Recorded
- February 2018
near Cartajima, Andalucía (España)
Viewed 338 times, downloaded 10 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
This route provides excellent views of the surrounding mountains and villages. In addition, it passes a historic water source, now restored, a cortijo perched at the top of a hill, and an arroyo that is normally dry but is filled with thunderous cascades of water after heavy rains. It is easily walked with no difficulties other than some rock scrambling in the Arroyo Bolones.
On leaving Cartajima, the trail immediately offers views in every direction. The peak of Amola is visible to the north, Los Riscos de Cartajima to the northwest, and the Sierra de las Nieves to the west, including Torrecilla, the highest peak totally in the province of Malaga at 1919 meters. (La Maroma is higher, but its summit is shared with the province of Granada.) The Sierra de Las Nieves has just become Andalucia’s third National Park, the other two being Doñana and the Sierra Nevada.
The first stop on the route is the Pilar de la Higuera. This natural spring, restored in 2015 with a picnic area furnished with old mill stones, has long been an important watering place for both people and animals. Located at the intersection of the Arroyo del Riachuelo and the track from Estepona to Ronda, it served mule drivers, shepherds, and walkers of every sort. These springs were so important to the history and development of the area that in 2009 the regional government decided to make a survey of every known fuente and lavadero and its current condition. The extensive documentation that resulted is available online. See link below under resources.
The route next passes the hilltop setting of the Cortijo de las Aguzaderas, crosses the road, and heads up a rocky track that takes the walker to the Arroyo Bolones. This rugged arroyo can be explored both north and south of the road.
Notes
This route follows the southern portion of the PR-A 221. If you were to continue along the northern portion of the track, it would take you to Ronda, sixteen kilometers from Cartajima. Our out-and-back route took us up to a good viewpoint at the foot of La Cancha de Almola, one of the highest peaks in the Sierra de Oreganal (1406 meters), before returning to Cartajima.
Walk 20 of a long-distance walk through the Serranía de Ronda
From our journal:
As we left the Pilar de la Higuera, we heard bells coming toward us.Thoughts of old-time mule trains were in our heads.But instead, it was a herd of about 60 goats with no shepherd anywhere in sight. Perhaps they came from the Cortijo de las Aguzaderas which seemed to have more than a hundred goats in its pasture.
A bit later, we entered the arroyo and this time heard bells coming from behind us. Soon the vertical rock walls of the arroyo were filled with more than a hundred goats moving effortlessly from rock to rock, eating everything in sight, completely oblivious to the thorns.
Possibilities for eating/sleeping
A stay at Hotel Los Castanos in Cartajima is a wonderful treat for a walker. Di and John are ready to help you choose suitable trails and even offer delivery and pick-up service to and from trailheads. Their hearty breakfasts and delicious dinners are just what a walker needs.
Cartajima also has two food shops and a pharmacy, handy for walkers needing to resupply.
Resources
Serranía de Ronda: Fuentes y Lavaderos
http://static.malaga.es/malaga/subidas/archivos/5/3/arc_150235.pdf
The villages of the Serranía de Ronda are listed alphabetically along with the coordinates of each of their fuentes, the points of access, a description of its current state, and both a topo map and a satellite photo showing its location. If you are visiting this area, it gives a picture of how fortunate these villages are in terms of water sources.
Ayuntamiento de Cartajima
http://www.cartajima.es
Previous day’s walk: Cartajima - Camino del Molino de la Maquina
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/cartajima-camino-del-molino-de-la-maquina-valle-del-genal-80033942
Next day’s walk: Cartajima - Fuentes
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/cartajima-fuentes-valle-del-genal-80210563
Link to journal
http://hiking.topicwise.com/doc/GenalValley
On leaving Cartajima, the trail immediately offers views in every direction. The peak of Amola is visible to the north, Los Riscos de Cartajima to the northwest, and the Sierra de las Nieves to the west, including Torrecilla, the highest peak totally in the province of Malaga at 1919 meters. (La Maroma is higher, but its summit is shared with the province of Granada.) The Sierra de Las Nieves has just become Andalucia’s third National Park, the other two being Doñana and the Sierra Nevada.
The first stop on the route is the Pilar de la Higuera. This natural spring, restored in 2015 with a picnic area furnished with old mill stones, has long been an important watering place for both people and animals. Located at the intersection of the Arroyo del Riachuelo and the track from Estepona to Ronda, it served mule drivers, shepherds, and walkers of every sort. These springs were so important to the history and development of the area that in 2009 the regional government decided to make a survey of every known fuente and lavadero and its current condition. The extensive documentation that resulted is available online. See link below under resources.
The route next passes the hilltop setting of the Cortijo de las Aguzaderas, crosses the road, and heads up a rocky track that takes the walker to the Arroyo Bolones. This rugged arroyo can be explored both north and south of the road.
Notes
This route follows the southern portion of the PR-A 221. If you were to continue along the northern portion of the track, it would take you to Ronda, sixteen kilometers from Cartajima. Our out-and-back route took us up to a good viewpoint at the foot of La Cancha de Almola, one of the highest peaks in the Sierra de Oreganal (1406 meters), before returning to Cartajima.
Walk 20 of a long-distance walk through the Serranía de Ronda
From our journal:
As we left the Pilar de la Higuera, we heard bells coming toward us.Thoughts of old-time mule trains were in our heads.But instead, it was a herd of about 60 goats with no shepherd anywhere in sight. Perhaps they came from the Cortijo de las Aguzaderas which seemed to have more than a hundred goats in its pasture.
A bit later, we entered the arroyo and this time heard bells coming from behind us. Soon the vertical rock walls of the arroyo were filled with more than a hundred goats moving effortlessly from rock to rock, eating everything in sight, completely oblivious to the thorns.
Possibilities for eating/sleeping
A stay at Hotel Los Castanos in Cartajima is a wonderful treat for a walker. Di and John are ready to help you choose suitable trails and even offer delivery and pick-up service to and from trailheads. Their hearty breakfasts and delicious dinners are just what a walker needs.
Cartajima also has two food shops and a pharmacy, handy for walkers needing to resupply.
Resources
Serranía de Ronda: Fuentes y Lavaderos
http://static.malaga.es/malaga/subidas/archivos/5/3/arc_150235.pdf
The villages of the Serranía de Ronda are listed alphabetically along with the coordinates of each of their fuentes, the points of access, a description of its current state, and both a topo map and a satellite photo showing its location. If you are visiting this area, it gives a picture of how fortunate these villages are in terms of water sources.
Ayuntamiento de Cartajima
http://www.cartajima.es
Previous day’s walk: Cartajima - Camino del Molino de la Maquina
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/cartajima-camino-del-molino-de-la-maquina-valle-del-genal-80033942
Next day’s walk: Cartajima - Fuentes
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/cartajima-fuentes-valle-del-genal-80210563
Link to journal
http://hiking.topicwise.com/doc/GenalValley
Waypoints
Waypoint
2,866 ft
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