Another great family day out for anyone looking to get away from the beach for a day, is to walk up the Rio Chillar in Nerja, on the Costa del Sol.
It is one of the few walks that is possible during the height of the Andalucian summer. Indeed, walking through the river is one of the best ways to cool off on a hot summer’s day.
What you need
The walk itself is very straightforward. You only need a good pair of shoes (that you don’t mind getting wet), a picnic, water, sunscreen and as its a linear route you can turn back the way you came at any point. A walking stick is also recommended.
Children love it. Splashing round in the water, spotting various animals and higher up there are several larger pools from which they can swim and jump around to their heart’s content.
These pictures were taken from a walk we did last Saturday with the family section of a hiking club in Malaga. The water levels were high. At the height of summer, expect less, but you’ll still get wet!!
Be prepared to cross the river numerous times and eventually having to walk within it. As you get higher up, there are numerous larger pools for swimming
People travelling with small children often find one of the quieter pools and stop there. If you carry further up the river you’ll eventually come to a series of waterfalls. Some of which provide a fantastic natural massage!
The walk up Rio Chillar is well worthwhile. An increasingly popular walk, there can be quite a few people on weekends.
For the more adventurous Junta de los Rios – just inland from Almunecar is highly recommended.
Getting there
There are numerous ways to get to the river bed. If going by foot from the center of Nerja probably the easiest way is to walk down to the river bed from the end of Calle de Joaquín Herrera, just behind the main bus station on Calle de Pescia. Google map
If wanting to save a couple of kilometres and going by car.
Drive through the center of Nerja going in the direction the health center and Burriana beach.
There’s a roundabout with a sign post for Verano Azul, follow the roundabout round leftwards and take a right up into the urbanization. Falling onto Calle de Julio Romero.
Keep going straight, then take the second left and then rightwards down to the river. Follow the track on as far as you can and park at the cement factory. Google map
From the cement factory just follow the river upwards. There is no way to get lost. You keep following the river upwards and come back the way you came. As always, take precautions, wear good shoes, bring a mobile phone and tell someone your plans. One important point to bear in mind is water levels can change very quickly. Do not attempt the walk after a lot of rainfall or if rain is forecast.
Enjoy a great day out in one of Andalucia’s most beautiful Natural Parks – the Sierra Tejeda and Almajira
