El Canuto and Los Baños de la Hedonia, (Manilva, Málaga)

25 03 2019

Category: Hill Walk
Meeting Place: Camino de Sabinillas a Casares, Manilva

Distance: 9.47Km
Grading: Medium to Heavy

Itinerary:
This is a circular walk up through the superb karstic canyon, El Canuto de la Utrera, and returning along the beautiful Ruta de los Molinos which runs alongside the Rio de Manilva.
The walk involves some scrambling over large rocks, short stretches with a steep drop off and the criss crossing of a riverbed (at times with water) using stepping stones. It is also at times uneven underfoot on downhill stretches so walking poles are recommended.
The route initially crosses a watercourse and then leads up through the canyon with remains of a roman pathway. After a brief stretch along a road the course turns into the next valley and downwards alongside a beautiful riverbed. Towards the end of the walk a slight detour can be made to visit the Baños de la Hedionda and enjoy the sight and smell of the natural sulphurous spring. It is a tiny roman spa still used by the locals and reputedly the one which cured Julius Caesar of his scabies.

Directions to the Meeting Place
From Marbella follow the A7 in the direction of Gibraltar; go past the Estepona exits, keep left and join the AP7 Toll Road. Take exit 142 just before the main Toll Station. This exit road swings to the right where there is a toll payable. At the roundabout ahead, turn left onto the road marked ´Caminos´. Pick up the signs for Restaurante Los Alamos and follow these heading downhill, turning sharp left just after the road goes under the motorway viaduct. Follow the road past the restaurant which is on the right, keeping the river to the right. The road becomes increasingly bumpy and uneven and after about 500 metres, just before the road starts to swing to the right, is the area to park.