New Cave, Fuente, Casa and the Chocolate Trail.

It all started a few months ago when  just two or three of us went walking on a Thursday and discovered some new routes. I then found that others were interested in walking on a Thursday also, and the Thursday Explorers group was formed, and today was a great example of what this group is all about.

I had plotted a route to check out an alternative for the planned Saturday Group walk, but it soon proved that this route would only be suited to a limited few so the original plan went out of the window and we followed our collective noses.

Our route started at the beginning of the Camino Forestal,  which runs at the foot of the Sierra de Mijas behind Alhaurin el Grande, and took us past the Jurrasic riverbed which we discovered last week and along a well used track that passes the water deposito fed by the Fuente Acebuche. However whilst on this track I was in need of a comfort break and ducked into what appeared to be a gully between the rocks only to discover the mouth of a very well hidden mine (disused). Even to John (who has walked these tracks many, many times) this was a new discovery.

After a short while we came upon some bukdings which John informed us was part of the Gun Club and indeed there were actually toilets (locked) and an open area where Clay Pigeon or Skeet shooting would take place.

We continued along the track until we came to the point where I had planned to turn right and take the track that I had found from Google Earth, and again this was new to John. However the track was VERY steep, long and very rocky, most unsuitable for the Saturday group. It took quite an effort for us to get to the level track at the top. Fortunately this track had a better surface and was thankfully flatter. This track led us to the access to the Fuente Achebuche, which we took and then John took us up the steps to the Casa Forestal which again was a discovery for me and the rest of the group.

We took a well deserved break at the Casa and admired the amazing views from the terrace of the Casa and watched an aircraft take off from Malaga airport in the distance, and knowing that we were actually higher than the plane.

An alternative route was then proposed by John, and being that this was the Rufti Tufti Explorers group we decided to try it. The route that we took, we believe, was at one time the main route over the mountains to between the Alhaurins and Mijas, as although time, footfall and the weather had took it’s toll, it was obvious that the path had been constructed, with steps and retaining rocks still visible. This route again took us through some excellent wooded area with plenty of fauna which was showing plenty of new growth, indicating that there must be water not far below the surface.

This path joined the path that leads up from the helicopter landing area far below to the fire track some considerable height above us, we take the route down and pass the ‘hidden mine’ which we have now visited a couple of times, and make our next decision at the helicopter landing area. Decision made, we are to take the Chocolate Trail, so called because of the amount of Carob Trees, whose seeds were used to make chocolate many years ago and their pods are used as animal feed.

The path down the Chocolate Trail, is possible one of the best that I have ever walked on, it was truly stunning, in fact we were walking on the dry bed of the Cañada de las Palomas (Glen of the Pigeons).

This ended at the main Camino Forestal and it was this that we took back to our start.

In essence a most satisfying hike, enjoyed by all.

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Caves, Mines, Fuentes and a Casa Forestal - 09 June 2016

Today was areal hike of discovery with a small group of the Thursday Explorers. We started at the beginning of the Camino Forestal opposite the Mirador Hotel in Alhaurin el Grande, and the first part of our route was up to where our walk the previous Saturday had turned around and then along that route for a couple of kilometres. We then left this main Camino and took to the narrow rocky path that leads down to the Cave.

Although a couple of us had been there before it was a treat for John as he missed our last outing to this. We then re-traced the path back to the main Camino, crossed it and took to the steep service track for the High Voltage electricity lines, crossed another fire track and then onto the rocky path to the Hidden Mine.

The only evidence from this track is a spoil heap which would be unnoticed unless you knew what it was. Again John was in his element and explored the extent of the mine. Another back-track to the fire track and then along this rather pleasant level path with magnificent views across the valley and to Malaga.

It was then by chance that I spotted some conifers that are not common in this forest by are more suited to where there is habitation, a narrow stoney track took off to the right and after a short walk the building came into sight, and this was the Casa Forestal. There are no signs to it and could be very easily missed. A visit to this building was made, which was originally the base for the Forest Guardia, now recently renovated as a somewhat bland monument to times past, despite this the views from the terrace where splendid.



We retraced our steps back down the stoney access path and returned onto the main track and with a short distance were at the path leading to the Fuente Acebuche, which unfortunately due to the extended length of the dry spell is reduced to a trickle.

From here we slightly deviated from the planned route, but this doesn't matter as we are exploring, and took another path down to a a main Camino which lead us back to the Camino Forestal but not before another discovery of what appeared to be the remains of a very ancient well head and then another of some very unusual rock formations which John believed to be at one time, millions of years ago, a river bed.

Overall a very pleasant hike with some very interesting finds, fortunately mainly in the shade of the trees as the temperature was 38c when we returned to the cars.

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Camino Forestal - 04 June 2016

It is now becoming difficult to find routes that offer a reasonable amount of shade now that the summer is upon us, however todays route is one that is always a favourite in the warm weather.
There are a few gradients and a couple of short sharp inclines but apart from that it is a fairly easy ramble along the forest track amongst the pine trees and offering great views over the valley.

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