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Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana

Diputación de Málaga
GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana.

Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana

Route On foot
Difficulty - Blue -Easy
Access -

1. Initiation Stage:

Access Starting point: Exit 272 of the A-7 E-15 direction Zafarraya and then A-356, A-7205 and lastly the MA-4106.

Starting point: Extreme north-west of Canillas de Aceituno, at the road entrance, close to the football pitch.

Enjoy the walk safely:  The only part of the walk which is a bit wild is the descent to Cueva de la Fájara. As it is a narrow pass where the two ravines unite to form the Río Bermuza river, you must be extremely cautious wading through during rain and in flooding season.

Fording the Alcaucín river would not normally present any problems; however there is a bridge close by which you can use for this crossing.

On the asphalted tracks and the stretches of main road, as always, it is necessary to be aware of the vehicles, which here could include motocross bikes and mountain bikes.

2. Completion of Stage:

Access to finish point: Main road A-7204.

Finish point: Entrance to Periana to the east, at kilometre 7 of the A-7204.

3. Alternatives:

Possible "escape  routes": Alcaucín at km marker 6 would be your best option. After this, there are many junctions with main roads or asphalted tracks; you will also be passing many inhabited houses, and farmhouses.

No return point: n the first section, at the Cueva de la Fájara. In the second section, after the Alcaucín River, it is unnecessary to retrace your steps, it is better to use the asphalted tracks to return to the village.

Connections to other footpaths and trails:

This eighth stage is the mirror image of the first stage of the GR-242, Sierra de Tejeda mountains – Almijara Stage 1 – overlap until km 8.0. Link up in Periana, end of the stage.

Hazards:

• Farm traffic circulating
• Crossing the A-7205, A-402, MA-4104 roads
• Crossing the Arroyo Fájara creek and the River Alcaucín.

Duration - 8:00 horas
Length - 29700 Km
Routes

Along the edge of the Natural Park (Up to km 6)

The departure from Canillas begins with a 700-metre stretch along a concrete track, to then join a footpath through a Pine forest. This then crosses an irrigation channel and a few dry creeks before taking a steep downhill slope to the west, ending up at the bottom of the main valley. At kilometre 1.5, you cross a dried river bed, however at La Fájara cave, you meet two interesting watercourses: Los Tajos Lisos and that of La Cueva de Don Pedro (further west).

There is an impressive overhanging rock, La Cueva de las Cabras as well as the cave, La Cueva de Don Pedro just underneath, with Oleanders on display. Having been explored to a depth of 1500 metres, these caves are known to empty naturally in times when groundwater is need of replenishing, but excess water flows directly into the River Bermuzas during the rainy seasons. The permanent natural spring, hidden under a rock, can be located by going down the stream bed a short way

The route then rapidly gains height, goes through one of the many gates that line the boundary of the Natural Park and after passing the barbed wire fence, you keep this perimeter on your right-hand side. Going constantly uphill here, you encounter sections of cobbled path underfoot. You skirt the edge of dense woods for the most part, with some sections through Pine forest. There is a lime kiln on your left, among Esparto grasses and Rosemary bushes. A little further on, you come to a small cluster of houses, which you keep on your left.

On your way to the mountain pass, La Loma de Canillas (km 4.4), you approach another lime kiln surrounded by steep and rocky sides. At this pass, the obstruction of the Alcaucín quarry means the path takes a sharp turn to the south-west. Continuing along an unsurfaced track, you pass two water deposits, with some vineyards on either side. Close to a communications antenna, the track becomes concreted. From here, it drops down to the base of the quarry, where you gradually see more houses and arrive in Alcaucín.

The middle of the River Alcaucín valley (Up to km 14.4)

Walking to the west, you cross the town’s southern neighbourhoods and its famous fountains. After further housing developments, you cross the MA-4104 road and then drop down past country houses and fields with olive trees, used for grazing and cultivating cereals. At the Peña Rodera rocky outcrop, it changes course, gradually arcing round to the south, following the valley of the River Alcaucín. At kilometre 8.0, you cross the river at a section filled with reeds. Just below this and visible from a higher point in the track, is a pleasant river bed area densely filled with plants and sub-tropical plantations. On your left is one of the centuries-old Carob trees before you meet a crossroads in the track. A little further on is an enormous threshing circle and shortly after you arrive at the inn, Venta Baja.

A kilometre down the shoulder of the Old Granada Road, what was once a livestock track and is now tarmacked, you come to an olive mill in the opening around the Don Manuel Bridge. Take a track that goes down to the left and then cross the River Alcaucín again, where there is a forest of tall Eucalyptus trees. Keep the storage unit of Alpechín (olive oil lees) on your right and you come to the Alcaucín road again, precisely at the Salia or Zalia Bridge. If you look to the north, it is possible to see the all-important castle on a hillock, which the area is named after.

After crossing the road, the unsurfaced track of El Cerrajón takes you to the entrance of the Sol housing development. The track levels out while straightening and passing by olive groves and an estate in ruins. You then come to a stream, which instead of crossing, you simply change direction from south to south-west, rising up to higher point that is concreted over.

A steep downhill section takes you a crossing point of the MA-7205. Once in the centre of La Viñuela, on Calle Granada (aprox. Km 14.4) make a 90° turn to the west, down Camino de la Fuente street or La Ruta del Agua (The Water Way). Having passed the ayuntamiento (Town Council) building, you will see information boards for the old lavadero (washhouse), El Pozanco pool, Lejos Fountain, the historic irrigation channel and  other elements from its heritage linked to the Arroyo de los Cortijuelos stream.

Following the reservoir’s border (Up to km 26.6)

The hill of La Cuesta del Guaro is a pleasant enough place, primarily for its traditional country estates surrounded by olive trees. On top of this, the mountain pass where you cross the A-402, to look north to the emblematic gap of El Boquete de Zafarraya or north-west to the magnificent Sierra Tejada with the splash of white of Alcaucín on its slopes. This is an important section owing to its transit along the old railway line between Malaga and Ventas de Zafarraya, in use between 1922 and 1960. The cogwheel train used to climb up from the Los Romanes station (close to the hotel) to Periana, crossing and then running parallel to the road that we see now. There is a sharp bend in the track, which you follow and where you begin to see ever more services and numerous information boards.

Although the river management of the River Guaro (or River Vélez further downstream) dates back further, the construction of the dam was completed in 1986. The reservoir still didn’t reach its full capacity of 165 hm³ until the 90s. Its real advantage lies in its supply of water to the coastal cities of La Axarquía and to the profitable agricultural industry of sub-tropical fruits, due to their high consumption of water.
The unsurfaced track that skirts the reservoir is just a few metres from the highwater mark, when it is completely full. In the photograph on this page, it was at 42% capacity in July 2018, hence being far from the Path.

The pathway that follows the reservoir edge goes from Las Monjas, all the way to El Castillejo on the other side of the water. It is the section close to La Viñuela which contains some of its most special enclaves. El Poblado de los Romanos (The Roman Hamlet) at kilometre 16.1, is one and is not difficult to find. Also of note is the old railway station, on a small hill to the east. Continuing to the north, you pass close to one of this area’s large farmhouses, named Vilches, next to a sluice gate on your right. Up ahead is the largest bend in the waterside track, which navigates the outlet of the Pocapaja tunnel. This carries water from the Salia, Bermuza and Rubite watercourses on the far side of the Loma de Zabato, to the north-east. Two limestone headlands either side of the water indicate the start of the Periana municipality, at kilometre 22.6. It is also the location of the archaeological site, La Capellanía dating back more than two thousand years.

Periana’s centuries-old Olive grove (To the end of the stage)

The tail end of the reservoir is home to a small gathering of Tamarisk trees which have adapted to the salty gypsum soils. The rest of the landscape, however has evolved from swampy conditions into olive groves. Soon after the Piñero & Las Mayorales estate, you arrive at the crossroads of the Recreational Area of the same name at kilometre 26.2. The well-groomed track to reach this has European Hackberry trees running alongside and is a detour of a few hundred metres. In contrast, the track to follow continues uphill and enters some of the Great Path’s most spectacular agricultural land. The aged trunks of the century-old olive trees completely surround the Pathway. Despite some sections of wire fencing, the tradition of dry-stone walls between land estates fortunately has been maintained. The same can be said for small stone terraces to reduce the gradient of the land and so the workload.

The vast majority of the scenery is covered by Olive trees, however it is the Carob trees which stand out most, being much larger despite being a similar age. At 250 metres above sea level, the small and wooded valley of the River Guaro on your left drops away. At the river’s convergence with the Arroyo Cantarranas, the 13 kilometres of unsurfaced track since the head of the reservoir, come to an end and tarmac track takes over. This new track arches slowly to the north-east. The steep slopes are enriched by centuries of hard work in creating farmhouses, rows of Almond trees, small agricultural plots next to watering pools and normally little in the way of vehicles coming and going. The houses to the south of Periana, at the crossroads with the Cantillana Path are the first sign of your arrival into the town and so, the end of the Stage.

GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Fuente de los Cinco Caños at Canillas de Aceituno, where Stage 8 begins Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Fuente de los Cinco Caños at Canillas de Aceituno, where Stage 8 begins GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. The hills of the Axarquia, the swamp, Comares and Colmenar from the Path Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. The hills of the Axarquia, the swamp, Comares and Colmenar from the Path GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Geolocation work in the Natural Park Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Geolocation work in the Natural Park GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Traditional and emerging crops around the undergrowth of the Alcaucín River Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Traditional and emerging crops around the undergrowth of the Alcaucín River GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Water sports area in one of the meanders of the La Viñuela swamp Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Water sports area in one of the meanders of the La Viñuela swamp GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. El Pantano de la Viñuela, between century old Olive Trees and many scattered houses Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. El Pantano de la Viñuela, between century old Olive Trees and many scattered houses GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Another view of the Pantano de La Viñuela from a different vantage point on the GR Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Another view of the Pantano de La Viñuela from a different vantage point on the GR GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Carob trees among centenary olive trees on the track that ascends from the swamp Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Carob trees among centenary olive trees on the track that ascends from the swamp GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. View of Alcaucin from the route Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. View of Alcaucin from the route GR 249. Stage 09. Periana - Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto). Vilo Baths, Periana. Bridge Imagen de GR 249. Stage 09. Periana - Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto). Vilo Baths, Periana. Bridge GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Olive groves and landscape of stage 8 of the Great Malaga Path before reaching Periana Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Olive groves and landscape of stage 8 of the Great Malaga Path before reaching Periana GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Detail of the trail near Alcaucín Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Detail of the trail near Alcaucín GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Blue Rock Thrush Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Blue Rock Thrush GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. The Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina) Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. The Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina) GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. View of the Colmenar Corridor Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. View of the Colmenar Corridor GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. View of the Gap of Zafarraya (Boquete de Zafarraya) Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. View of the Gap of Zafarraya (Boquete de Zafarraya) GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Zalia Castle Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Zalia Castle GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. View of the Swamp and Romanes Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. View of the Swamp and Romanes GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Olive grove and sheep Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Olive grove and sheep GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Partridge found on the route Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Partridge found on the route GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Paths. Canillas de Aceituno Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Paths. Canillas de Aceituno GR 249. Stage 09. Periana - Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto). Periana. Hikers Imagen de GR 249. Stage 09. Periana - Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto). Periana. Hikers GR 249. Etapa 09. Periana - Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto). Periana. Hikers Imagen de GR 249. Etapa 09. Periana - Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto). Periana. Hikers GR 249. Stage 09. Periana - Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto). Periana. Hikers Imagen de GR 249. Stage 09. Periana - Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto). Periana. Hikers GR 249. Stage 09. Periana - Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto). Periana. Hiking Imagen de GR 249. Stage 09. Periana - Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto). Periana. Hiking GR 249. Stage 09. Periana - Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto). Periana. The reservoir of the Viñuela from Cerrajon de los Baños Imagen de GR 249. Stage 09. Periana - Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto). Periana. The reservoir of the Viñuela from Cerrajon de los Baños GR 249. Stage 8. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Aerial view. Periana Imagen de GR 249. Stage 8. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Aerial view. Periana GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Landscape with farmhouse. Periana Imagen de GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana. Landscape with farmhouse. Periana GR 249 Etapa 8 Pantano de la Viñuela Imagen de GR 249 Etapa 8 Pantano de la Viñuela GR 249 Etapa 8 Somormujo lavanco Imagen de GR 249 Etapa 8 Somormujo lavanco GR 249 Etapa 8 Argiope lobata Imagen de GR 249 Etapa 8 Argiope lobata

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