Wikiloc | El Colmenar - Secret Aqueduct walk Trail

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Photo ofEl Colmenar - Secret Aqueduct walk

Author

Elsie Bee

with 2 trail buddies

3,659 227 3074

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Trail stats

Distance: 4.54 mi
Elevation gain: 528 ft
Technical difficulty: Moderate
Elevation loss: 528 ft
Max elevation: 882 ft
TrailRank: 47
Min elevation: 622 ft
Trail type: Loop

Time: 2 hours 36 minutes
Coordinates: 99
Uploaded: May 26, 2024
Recorded: May 2024

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near El Colmenar, Andalucía (España)

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Itinerary description

This is a circular walk starting at the beautiful swimming spot near El Colmenar (estación de Gaucín). The first section involves following the route of the old aqueduct (1904) - past a lot of tunnels, walls and bridges. The second section returns to your car along a wide and easy track.

Directions from Gaucín: from the petrol station drive down the main road for 5 minutes (in the direction of San Pablo/Jimena de la Frontera/Algeciras) and then take the MA-512 road towards El Colmenar (railway station of Gaucín). Pass Hotel La Herriza, keep going until you are nearly at the bottom of the hill, then BEFORE you cross the bridge to the village of El Colmenar, turn left on a rough track. Drive a short way along the track and park under trees when you see the river and swimming/picnic spots. The walk starts here.

On the aqueduct section, one tunnel is "compulsory" (you can't avoid it) but it's short. Other, longer tunnels are "optional". We went through the 1904 tunnel at the start.

There are a couple of mildly vertiginous sections and a few places where you have to climb up and down onto the aqueduct wall. The route is very rocky so wear decent footwear. At the end of the first (aqueduct) section you climb up through the woods to reach the track above, and the second section is an easy, beautiful walk back to your car along a wide track with great views. At the end of the hike there is the opportunity to swim in the river and/or have a picnic.

I've classed it as "Moderate" due to the terrain and climbing over walls but it would be a fun walk to do with older children (and adults who like this sort of exciting walk...).

Waypoints

A. Park under the trees by the river

Park under the trees by the river

B. Walk along the track with the river on your right

Walk along the track with the river on your right

B1. Pass through this gate

Photo ofC. At a left hand bend LEAVE the track by a large pile of stones. See note below.

C. At a left hand bend LEAVE the track by a large pile of stones. See note below.

LEAVE the track here at the corner by a large pile of rocks and go downhill on a small path. Go downhill and then right, then downhill again to meet a fence and then follow the fence to the right towards the electricity station. At the fence where you can see the electricity station on the other side, go sharp left through some bushes and you will see the first tunnel, marked with the date 1904. Go through the tunnel!

D. 1904 tunnel - walk through this tunnel, the ground is flat and you can see the far end

1904 tunnel - walk through this tunnel, the ground is flat and you can see the far end

E. Follow the old aqueduct walls

Follow the old aqueduct walls

E1. The path has fallen away here by the fence. You can pass with care.

You can either go around the broken rocks by the fence, or climb up the wall to avoid the short broken section.

F. Viewing point over the river Guadiaro

After the viewing point you join a wider track by a bridge and a tunnel entrance. Turn briefly right, then climb down to the tunnel entrance.

G. Climb down the bank to this tunnel entrance (don't go in)

Climb down the bank to this tunnel entrance (don't go in)

H. Go left inbetween two walls

Go left inbetween two walls

I. Climb up the steps to the left of this small bridge/tunnel

Climb up the steps to the left of this small bridge/tunnel

J. Reach a fence - look at the old aqueduct walls behind you

Reach a fence - look at the old aqueduct walls behind you and keep following along the fence and the old aqueduct walls

K. Pass this tunnel

Pass this tunnel

L. Go RIGHT at these large rocks - it's a bit scrambly here but the path soon gets better

Go RIGHT at these large rocks - it's a bit scrambly here but the path soon gets better

M. Pass another tunnel - or you can go through if you like!

Pass another tunnel

N. Fork right

Fork right

O. Pass another tunnel

Pass another tunnel

P. Pass another tunnel

Pass another tunnel

Q. Go across little wooden bridge

Go across little wooden bridge

R. Go through this short tunnel - or go around to the right side

Go through this short tunnel - or go around to the right side

S. Pass this enormous tunnel - then keep following the aqueduct walls

Pass this enormous tunnel - then keep following the aqueduct walls

T. First view of the bridge 'Puente Malillo' - take note because shortly after this you go uphill to the left

First view of the bridge 'Puente Malillo' - shortly after this you go uphill to the left

U. JUNCTION - go uphill to the left here.

JUNCTION - go uphill to the left here. From here to the track above you will see red and white tape tied around some of the trees to help you navigate the route.