Júzcar - Nacimiento Las Zúas - Ruta de los Molinos (Valle del Genal)

This loop trail, laid out by Turismo Activo Juzcar, takes you to several sites of historic and geographic interest. In just a few kilometers, it goes by old flour mills, a section of Roman road, a 16th century Arab bridge, and the source of the Rio Zúas. It’s an easy trail to follow, marked by red arrows.

At the source of the Río "Las Zuas”, named after the Arab settlers who called it “Azud”,
you can see the water bubbling up in a clear pool. From this spring there is an average flow of around 623 liters of water per minute at a constant temperature of 16.5 degrees. The amount of water that emerges from the ground remains steady all year. The Zua is the main contributor to the Rio Genal in times of scarce rainfall.

The mill complex includes the remains of water-driven mills as well as an animal-powered mill (molino de sangre). Water from the river was diverted to flow through the mills. Originally there were four openings for the water to pass through, but today only two survive. You can still see the shafts inside.

An Arab bridge of the 16th century spans the river. It is an arch of a single eye with a channel on one side to direct the flow of the water.

Notes
This walk can also be done in reverse, allowing you to pass a mirador with an information panel at the start of the walk rather than at the end.

Walk 17 of a long-distance walk through the Serranía de Ronda
From our journal:
After we poked around the ruins of the mills, we did a bit of another trail (blue arrows) on the other side of town that leads down to the old tin factory and the ruins of the former settlement of Moclón. We went only as far as the area of Cima del Diablo (where there are wet suit adventure tours in the river during the warmer months). The trail was clear and easy to follow to that point.

This was our last day in Júzcar. It is certainly a village I would recommend as a base for walking. With Los Riscos, the tin factory, the old mills, and the ruins of a deserted village across the river, there is plenty to explore. The Hotel Bandolero is very comfortable and warm in February. Owners David and Ivan are friendly hosts who take the time to answer any questions you may have, and the meals are delicious. The village, with a population of 160, is well-signposted, so it is easy to find where trails begin or where the bus stop is. The local shop is stocked with fruits, milk, packaged goods, and freezer items. There is a pharmacy as well, but no bank or ATM. Júzcar can no longer call itself the Smurf village because of a dispute with the holders of the copyright, but the organization and drive to make the village an enjoyable destination are evident.

Possibilities for eating/sleeping
Hotel Bandolero is a great choice for a place to stay in Júzcar. The rooms are warm in February and have access to a deck with a view. The delicious meals in the restaurant are just what a walker needs to complete the day.
Ultramarinos Sonia is the grocery shop in the village.

Resources
History of Júzcar
https://www.rondatoday.com/history-of-juzcar/

Previous day’s walk: Júzcar - SL-A 176 - Los Riscos - Arroyo Majales
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/juzcar-sl-a-176-los-riscos-arroyo-majales-valle-del-genal-73774719

Next day’s walk: Júzcar - Cartajima - PR-A 224
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/juzcar-cartajima-pr-a-224-valle-del-genal-79957402

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