Yesterday, I managed to escape in the morning to try and discover a path newly opened in Juzcar, a small village just outside ronda, Andalucia. It was a funny morning with clouds rolling over the southern Bermeja hills, pushed over by the Levente (south-east wind) making the sky grey and moist. It was rather warm though.
I drove to Juzcar and parked in front of the Hotel Bandolero. Had a quick chat with David and Ivan who were actually outside. Walked down in the street right in front of the Hotel and followed the concrete track down to the left. Just a few meters down, I saw a lovely field full of Narrow-leaved lupins (see photo above). The concrete path soon turns into a dirt track.
I kept following it down ignoring a track on the right. The bank sides were covered with daisies and Periwinkles in varying shades of purple. Where the track forks, I took the left track and ignored the one fenced off. This is the section that has been newly opened up. It has been widened in places, cleared, walled and some cute steps have even been added in one place (see photo on the left).
The path meanders down through Oaks, Cork Oaks and Prickly Pears, and follows the Arroyo Riachuello, a stream fuller with the heavy rain we have had over the winter, which was gushing down at the bottom of this very narrow, steep valley and could be heard from the path above.
There were a few lush green terraces along the path, carpeted with ubiquitous Periwinkle and planted with fruit trees (see photo of the orange tree and Quince tree in blossom on the left).
The path eventually narrowed and steepened down to the river Genal (see photo on the left of narrow path meandering down amonst Prikly Pears).
There is normally a bridge accros the river, but it had been totally washed away and the river was way too high and strong flowing to attempt crossing it (see photo of the river on the left)! So, after a little rest by the river, enjoying its deafening strength, I had to just turn back and retraced my steps!
While walking back up, I noticed a very distinctive creeper, Dutchman's Pipe, that is growing on the path. Apparently, its roots have been used in Spain since at least the 16th century for reducing fever. See photo on the left.
I also noticed an old tattered umbrella that had been left hanging on a lichen covered oak tree. It looks as if it has been there for a long time as it was blending extremely well with its surrounding! See photo on the left.
It will be a fantastic walk to do once the bridge has been replaced or the level of the water has come down. Maybe in the summer! Back at the Hotel Bandolero, I had a lovely coffee with Ivan before returning home. What a great start of the day!
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