Cartajima - Río Genal (Valle del Genal)

The wide, easy-to-follow track from Cartajima to the Río Genal is short but steep, dropping 365 meters in 3.6 kilometers. On the way down, there are beautiful views across the river valley to Pujerra, and on the way back, you can see Cartajima framed by the peak of Almola. Even if it is not the height of autumn, chestnut trees in sheltered spots along the way may not have lost their leaves, giving a picture of what the entire valley must look like during the fall when the area is known as the Bosque del Cobre.

The area surrounding the river itself has numerous spots to explore. Ruins of an old bridge, a flour mill, and various storage buildings are close by. A protected fishing area is just upstream, and a tributary stream descends over interesting terraced steps.

If you plan to continue on to Pujerra from here, see the notes below.

Notes
Just beyond the bridge, a small parking area on the left leads to the trail that climbs to the village of Pujerra. The trailhead may be a bit difficult to spot. See the photos for directions.

Walk 22 of a long-distance walk through the Serranía de Ronda
From our journal:
Ever since we arrived in Cartajima, we have been wanting to walk down to the Rio Genal to see what the river looks like at this point. This morning it was raining during breakfast, but a few pieces of blue sky appeared soon after, and it seemed like there might be a small stretch of good enough weather for us to get down and back. However, just as we got to the bottom and began to explore the ruins of the old mills that were once there, the rain started up again giving us a good opportunity to test out whether our new rain jackets were as waterproof as we hoped (almost, but not quite). By the time we got back to the village, rainwater was rocketing out of every storm drain. The village streets are so steep that the water sheets down them as if the streets were a riverbed and the houses the banks. Our muddy boots were washed clean in minutes. The storm increased in intensity all afternoon with wind and rain lashing against the windows with such ferocity we wondered if we might all just wash down the hillside. Good thing Los Castaños is so solidly built!

Possibilities for eating/sleeping
A stay at Hotel Los Castanos in Cartajima is a wonderful treat for a walker. Di and John are ready to help you choose suitable trails and even offer delivery and pick-up service to and from trailheads. Their hearty breakfasts and delicious dinners are just what a walker needs.

Cartajima also has two food shops and a pharmacy, handy for walkers needing to resupply.

Resources
Ayuntamiento de Cartajima
http://www.cartajima.es

Previous day’s walk: Cartajima - Fuentes
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/cartajima-fuentes-valle-del-genal-80210563

Next day’s walk: Benarrabá - SL-A 175 Concaste - La Portá
www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/benarraba-sl-a-175-concoste-la-porta-valle-del-genal-80710778

Link to journal
http://hiking.topicwise.com/doc/GenalValley