Attractions & Activities
- National Parks - Gaitanes Cliffs
Gaitanes Cliffs
Also known as Garganta del Chorro. Located 50km northwest
of Málaga, the Guadalhorce river has sliced through
limestone to create a spectacular gorge. Its 4km length has
sheer walls towering up to 400m in places, while its width
is only 10m wide at certain points.
It also is famous for its walkway, the Path of the King, a
stomach-churning route through the gorge, which runs for 7km
from the Salto del Chorro to the Salto del Gaitanejo. It was
built between in the first five years of the 20th century
as part of the hydroelectric plan that involved the construction
of the Guadalhorce Reservoir just north of the Chorro. The
Path of the King was named after a visit to the Chorro in
1921 by the then king, King Alfonso XIII, to inaugurate the
reservoir. Today, however, the path has severely deteriorated
and it is dangerous to even attempt to walk along it.
The area is a popular spot with climbers and the reservoir
is a good place for swimming and a picnic.
Flora
Aleppo pines, wild olive trees, junipers and holm oaks are
the main trees with an undergrowth of rosemary, rock roses,
dwarf fan palms, thyme and lentisc. Closer to the river are
rushes, reeds, tamarisk, oleander, poplar, willow and eucalyptus
trees.
Fauna
Here nest Egyptian vultures, Bonelli's, golden eagles, common
kestrels, peregrines and griffon vulture. We can also find
red-billed choughs, crag martins, blue rock thrushes, crested
tits and numerous swifts in spring and summer.
Spanish ibex inhabit the more inaccessible parts of the gorge.
Access
From Malaga, take the A357 to Ardales, from where the MA444
goes to El Chorro.
Villages nearby are Álora, Ardales, El Chorro and Valle
de Abdalajís.
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