Andalucia is the real Spain - long sunny days, mountains covered with groves of olive, orange and lemon trees; villages full of tapas bars, and the most charming of people. All this can be enjoyed in Ardales, yet it is less than an hour from the Costa del Sol. Imagine if you can three beautiful turquoise lakes bordered by huge pine forests. A peaceful hideaway where you can swim or fish, take a picnic on the lake shore.
You no longer have to imagine, just come to Ardales! Malaga's "Lake District" is in fact three reservoirs formed by dams built across the extrordinary Guadalhorce river gorge, which is called the Garganta del Chorro. The views in this area have to be seen to be believed
To the south of Bobastro and from the previously mentioned reservoir, the landscape is formed by large hills, covered in olives and pine woods which continue over the sierras de Aguas and the thermes in the neighbouring municipalities of Alora and Carratraca.
There is much evidence that the first settlements in the area date far back to prehistoric days. Close to the village is the cave known as Cueva de Ardales, or Cueva de Doña Trinidad Grund, this is an underground cavern stretching several kilometers which contains paintings of goats, horses and stags and other images from the Upper Paleolithic period. The caves are not generally open to the public but tours can be arranged. |
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At Bobastro an ancient church ruin is located a short climb from the raod, but it is not well signposted. This church is the most evident remains of the ancient village and is cut directly out of the rock. Its primitive structure can still be identified by the three sections separated by arches. The ruins are located in an area known as Las Mesas de Villaverde between the hills called Tintilla, Castillón and Encantada. The nearest road to reach Bobastro is the MA 444 which runs from Alora to Ardales past the famous El Chorro gorge. It is no longer possible to walk along the "Camino del Rey" (The King's Path), as it has been closed, pending repairs. The path drops down and skirts the iron girder railway bridge (take care crossing the line, Von Ryans express was filmed here). |
| Even though the lakes are very popular in the summer, their shores are so vast that it is easy to find a quiet place to sunbathe, swim and picnic. We recommend a delightful waterside restaurant 'El Kiosko', a particular good choice for the winter visit as a blazing log fire and their excellent roast lamb and pork go down well after a walk along the shores of the lake. But equally delightful is their summer terrace with views to the lake. To find 'El Kiosko' continue east along the lakes, through a tunnel under another lakeside restaurant 'El Mirador' (also recommended) and cross over another dam. You will find 'El Kiosko' on the right hand side of the road. Alongside 'El Kiosko' is a tunnel which leads to a path which if followed will lead, after a walk of about 1 km to the other end of the Camino Del Rey. 'El Mirador' is more rustic than 'El Kiosko' but offers extraordinary views of the lakes, as well as a good selection of meals. The path at the rear leads up to an unmissable view point and the the Camino del Rey. |
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