Sunny Walkers 011120: Pico Huma y Tajo del Estudiante - El Chorro v1

What an adventure this was leaving Gibraltar at 07:30am with our official starting point some two hours away in El Chorro which is located in the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Natural Park. Departing from the village of El Chorro, the route immediately ascends through the pine forest to the the Arabian Stairs built in the mid-twentieth century, which leads
a steep gulley called the chimney that will allow us to avoid the steep limestone wall. Although I did take this route I’d recommend that you ascend before this point looking out for the route markers unless your fit and agile as it is technically demanding especially given the amount of elevation already gained at this point.
We continue our journey to the top of Pico Huma (1,191 m.) via the magnificent views from Tajo del Estudiante crossing the Tajos del Arrejanado and del Student.

From Pico Huma the trail descends through the Torcal del Tajo de las Pedreras then picking up the Arroyo del Chorro forest track taking us back to the starting point.
The route runs along the upper level of the gorge where the famous Caminito del Rey is located, whose footbridge anchored in the vertical wall we will see during this journey.

Fantastic views are in abundance throughout this hike and to the north of its Tajos de Almorchón and Ballesteros, Sierra Llana and the Guadalhorce-Guadalteba reservoirs.
If we are attentive when walking, we can find marine fossils of ammonites embedded in the limestone rocks
In the other direct we have distant views of the Sierra de las Nieves, Sierra del Tablon, Sierra del Pinar and Sierra Tejeda.

The predominant vegetation is the low and shrubby scrub, highlighting palm hearts, broom, gorse with its yellow flower, and at higher altitudes blue brooms, also in bloom. In relation to the grove, there are plenty of Aleppo pines, holm oaks, carob trees, junipers and almond trees.
As for the fauna, we come across mountain goats very close, already used to the hustle and bustle of hikers and climbers. Griffon vultures, hawks and other raptors flew over.

The location for this hike is in the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Natural Park and the recommended month for doing it is November.