Sendero Gaitanejo y Los Miradores (Ardales, Málaga)

14 09 2020

Sendero Gaitanejo

Please Note the GPS went a bit crazy at the start of the walk. The first waypoint is not the start of the walk. Use for reference the last waypoint which I will rename as Start of walk.

This circular itinerary begins surrounded by a fairly dense vegetation of Aleppo pines. We continue along a forest track through a tunnel until we reach the El Gaitanejo hydroelectric power station, one of the oldest in Spain. This is also the starting point for the famous Caminito del Rey walk.
From here you then turn left to continue parallel to the shore of the Gaitanejo reservoir. Once you leave the forest track you enter a spectacular area, where you can see unique geological formations due to the weather that has been produced over thousands of years.
The best months for this walk are in March and April as you will find at its peak the flora and fauna of this beautiful place.

This is a great area for bird spotting. There is the chance to see the Peregrine falcon and the Bonelli's eagle, and also a wide variety of vultures.
This area also has the kingfisher, the cormorant, the common and royal heron. Sometimes you may be lucky to see the odd otter.

A little further on the path you come to a horseshoe curve. From here the trail begins a short climb up with the reservoir always on our right. This part of the walk is a bit of a scramble as there are several fallen trees and some of the marker posts are hard to see. But which ever way you go up you will reach the top path.

Once you get to the forest track, by turning left you will come to a Mirador with spectacular views.
There is also a second Mirador when heading back to the start of the walk which is on your right.

There is plenty parking at the start of the walk just past the Mirador restaurant, taking the track on your right before going under the tunnel.
It is a great place to have a meal and a drink, and the views here from the restaurant are amazing.