The little silver cup, Havana with more salt: Cádiz is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, but its province is not far behind. It is a jewel of nature, with a coastline rich in flora and fauna and mountain ecosystems and unparalleled natural landscapes. In this article, we highlight three hiking routes suitable for beginners to get lost.
Majaceite River
In the heart of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park is one of the most famous landscapes in the province of Cádiz: the Majaceite River Trail: only 5.3 kilometres – about two hours of walking – that separate the towns of Benamahoma and El Bosque.
The trail begins in the lower part of Benamahoma. Before starting the walk, we recommend visiting the Water Ecomuseum, located at the beginning of the trail and housed in an old mill powered by the river.
Along the banks of the Majaceite River there are poplars, willows, oleanders, sarsaparillas and honeysuckles that grow so close together that they give a feeling of freshness to the hiker, even in the hottest months. Along the way we find several mills and fulling mills –machine who transformed fabrics open onto others that are denser and work with a water wheel.
Before arriving at El Bosque, you can enjoy the view of the riverside forest, as well as the majestic panorama of the Sierra del Pinar and the Pico del Torreón. There is also the El Castillejo Botanical Garden, whose visit allows you to discover the flora of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park.
At the end of the road we arrive at El Bosque, one of the main towns of the Sierra de Cádiz, where you can enjoy a wide gastronomic offer with which you can taste local products such as merino sheep cheeses.
Captain’s Gorge
The La Garganta del Capitán trail is located in the Los Alcornocales Natural Park and the Mediterranean Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve. This space has been protected by the Junta de Andalucía since 1989 and is one of the examples of Mediterranean wild forest. The park is home to the so-called Andalusian roe deer, a unique species that only lives in this part of the planet and is particularly endangered. Los Alcornocales also preserves real natural treasures, such as forests of giant ferns, typical of subtropical vegetation.
This trail inside the park is 12 kilometers long, six of which are one-way and six more are round trips. Even though it is hot, there are many shaded areas along the route that help cool the temperatures.
The beginning of the route is indicated in the area authorized for parking between Cobre and the Penitentiary Center of Botafuegos. Along the route we find laurel forests with alders, ash trees, laurels and gall oaks in the area of the Gorges. Along the way we can enjoy views of the Bay of Algeciras, the cork oak forest or the public mountain Hoyo de Don Pedro.
When you leave the path you reach a waterfall falling from the rocks into a natural pool. It is important to remember that it is not designated as a bathing area and therefore swimming is not allowed. It is also not allowed to stay with camping items, such as tables, chairs or umbrellas, in any of its sections.
Along the way you can see Bronze Age graves carved into the sandstone rock, as well as the gravestone of the supposed ‘Captain’ who gives this gorge its name, as well as old flour mills whose remains can still be seen on the banks of the stream.
Legend has it that in this tomb, in which a cross is engraved in the stone, is buried the bandit Gabriel Moreno, who on June 13, 1834, was shot while fleeing the forces of law and order with the group of thieves he was part of. , according to It is written on the tombstone. His treasure would remain hidden somewhere in the mountains.
Honey River
The Miel River Trail also begins in the El Cobre neighborhood of Algeciras, where you can park and there is an explanatory sign. The trail follows the course of the Miel River, named after the Muslims who conquered the Iberian Peninsula, either because of the mildness of its waters or because of the color of its current. Here we find the Escalona mill, the only one that survives in operation.
Right next to the mill, the starting point in the forest is marked by an old blind bridge, with a Roman appearance. Further on, the Fuente de las Niñas, a spout that arises from the rock itself and whose fresh water is perfectly fit for consumption, is worth a stop. Next to the fountain is the Molino del Águila, which has been in existence since the 18th century.
Leaving the mill behind, we arrive at the end of the signpost, just after reaching the waterfall known as Poza de la Chorrera. This small turquoise lagoon corresponds to the last large waterfall that the river makes from its source.
There are also more waterfalls in the Honey River. Along the Chorrera pool, you can access other waterfalls, although the path becomes a little more difficult because you have to climb a little on the rocky sections. In fact, some parts of the park, being a nature reserve, require a special permit from the Algeciras Tourist Office.
A little higher up is what is called the Ponytail Pool. Ferns and other plants climb over the rocks as the water falls. The humidity of the environment creates a sort of tropical jungle or laurel forest that maintains a fairly constant temperature throughout the year.
