Benarrabá - Potpourri of tracks and along the river Genal ANTICLOCKWISE

Start point at the campervan parking area as you arrive into Benarrabá village

You might find a parking space a little lower down but I find it easier to park here.

Turn left by the bar on the corner, and walk down Calle Toledillo

Turn right by Bar La Zambra and go down the steps

When you get to the little plaza below, go directly across and keep going down on another set of steps

Turn right at the stone fuente and walk down Calle Estación

Signboard and signposts

We took a wrong turn in the village (easily done!) but basically keep going downhill and you will reach the signboard

Pass the gates to La Porta on your right, but keep on the main track around a left hand bend

LEAVE the main track at the signposts and go left down a small rocky path

Cross the little stream and then turn right; follow the lovely path through the woods

Rest stop by the wooden birdwatching hut

Pass through the metal gate and turn right onto the track

Cross the river Genal on the concrete bridge and turn left, signposted GR141

There is a picnic area here and a playground for children (or adults...!)

Signposts, go along the fence on the GR141

Go along the metal walkway if you want to avoid wet feet in the river

The metal walkways are called "Pasarelas" in Spanish

Another pasarela

A fat black piggy in the field

Fork left. The main GR141 goes up steps on the right but I did a shortcut along the river here

The final pasarela; there is a new camera in the tree here! Not sure why it is here.

Little donkey

Go through the gate and cross the stream

Arrive at Venta San Juan (open in the summer months and at weekends in the winter)

Cross the river on the road bridge and turn left at the end of the fence; walk down the track

Go through the wire gate

When you see this gate, go to the left up an unpromising looking path (overgrown)

Have faith; after negotiating a couple of overhanging brambles the route becomes a well-traversed mule path uphill; it is narrow and steep but I found it much easier in this direction -going uphill - than when I did this same section downhill a couple of weeks ago.

The top of the mule path by a gate; don't go through the gate, go uphill on the track

At the junction with a choice of paths, go straight on

Lunch spot with fabulous view of Algatocín. Then fork LEFT at the next bend

Pass this gate (open) and turn sharp right onto the track below

Meet a wider track and fork right. This is the Sendero Llanos del Rey and you will follow it back to Benarrabá

Signposts - straight on and head for 'Benarrabá 1.6 kms'

View of Benarrabá village

Fuente del Chorruelo - straight on, head for 'Benarrabá 0.5 kms'

Mirador del Chorruelo - back in the village.

We headed downhill, forking left in order to find a bar for a well-deserved beer. If you didn't want a beer/drink then fork right on Calle Toledillo, and then go right at the corner bar in the little square, and you will return to the start point where you parked your car.

Bar Andrés Sánchez

A welcome beer with some tasty olives too