This weeks midweek outing was an all boys affair, with no girls to inhibit our explorations we were heading for a footpath that I have looked at many times, but I did not have a map of the area and was unsure of the route, but this time I was able to down load the route into my GPS. It was not going to be a long walk and it was all down hill, so a late 8am start was on the cards.
The walk needs 2 cars and we met up with Kees in Velez and drove to Otivar and left his car there for our return at the end of the walk. A few weeks ago a similar arrangement fell apart at the seams when,arriving back, Kees discovered he had left his keys in the other car 10 km away. Taking no chances this time we made him give the keys to Ray for safe keeping.
As it was Grahams last walk for 5 months, we thought we would be nice to him for a change, so we stopped for a coffee and cakes. we then set off to drive the 25 km to the start of the walk.
What had looked a promising day down in Otiva soon turned cold and damp up on the ridge where the walk started, and we had not gone far before putting our waterproofs on as it started to rain. Fortunately it was only a passing shower and when we reached the Chorrera de la Fuente de las Cabrerizas, or, as we know it, the petrified waterfall, the sun was out. We were lucky to spot an Ibex as it ran along our path, but it moved too quickly to get a photo.
We then went down to the river and into unexplored territory, and the first of the many river crossings. After the recent rains there was more water in the river than normal, but we all made it across with dry feet.
I had sold the walk on the basis that it was all downhill, as you would expect on a walk that starts 900 metres higher than it ends and follows a river all the way, and even Graham can’t claim that water flows up hill on this walk. So with shouts from the rear of “We are not going up there are we” we proceeded up the hillside and into some spectacular scenery. I have always enjoyed walking in this area but this was unbelievable, with the near vertical sides of the valley, towering peaks and the lush tropical flora, words and pictures cannot do it justice. The path continued to contour around as the river fell sharply away, through a series of waterfalls. There are organised canyoning expeditions down the river, it must be one hell of a way to see it. The path looked like it was an old mule track, and it was well sign posted, so it came as a shock after we had made our way to the river that we came to a “Fin de Sendero” sign. We had come about 7 km by this point so we could have turned around and gone back, but where is the adventure in that.
We continued by scrambling over rocks for about 50 metres and then the path reappeared, there was also a new steel rope bridge strung across the gorge. Kees set off across the bridge with a smile on his face, but that soon faded as the bridge started to swing a little, it was a long drop down into the river.
Convinced that, with a bridge like that, we were on easy street we continued to follow the path as it twisted and turned, climbed and fell, and generally followed the river as it tumbled down through a series of rock pools, it was like walking in an enchanted garden. It came as a shock when we came round a corner to discover that the next bridge had been swept away, leaving us with no option but to carefully navigate our way across using some strategically placed rocks. This became the only way to navigate the river as a number of bridges had succumbed to a storm. This week it was my turn to literally go ”arse over tit” on a steep section of the path, at least it was not a piece of paper I had slipped on, I could display my wounds with pride. With all the river crossings and the rough track slowing us down, I was starting to regret the late start and coffee stop, and I was beginning to think we might be spending the night out under the stars. At the Junto de dos Rios we came across signs of civilisation, well, someone had driven here at sometime. At least it meant the track might become a little easier, it still made its way across the river without bridges and went up one side of the valley then the other, but at least we were managing to knock the kms off. We had kept passing Stalactites hanging from the rocks, but on this part of the path we came across some really magnificent specimens that had made gigantic umbrella canopies, truly amazing.
As we approached Otiva the valley opened out into lush farm land. The final half km, up into the village, was the hardest of the lot. I swear the road was nearly vertical, I have never seen anything like it, no wonder everyone has a Land Rover Defender, it must be the only vehicle that can navigate these steep, narrow roads.
We stopped at the nearest bar for a well earned beer, Kees and Graham nearly came to blows over the tapa when Graham accused him of having more than his fair share, next time we will have to get them separate plates.
The walk was one of the hardest we have done, even though it was all downhill (!), but it was also the most spectacular, well worth the grazed knee and damp feet.
All that remained was to drive back to the start of the walk to recover the car.
The walkers
Kees, Ray, Graham, Mark and myself.
Distance walked 20.8 Km, ascent 660 metres, descent 1411 metres.
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