Nerja walks.
April2017 Rio (River) Chillar
Simple walk
This a simple walk, not quite 'flip flop' (Or 'Thongs' if American or Australian). However you can do it in trainers. Take some water and a packed lunch. There are no shops or facilities once you leave Nerja.
Walk duration approx. 4Hrs.
The start point is also the best place to park your
car.
There is a parking area in Nerja under the ‘new’ road
bridge, close to the main ALSA bus stop, known as the 'dust bowl.'
If you drive up the hill, along Avenida Pescia,
crossing over the new bridge, to your right you will see the ‘Dustbowl’ car
park. Just as you cross the bridge there is a slipway to the right. Turn down
there, and head right. You will find a hill to your right at the rear of
Mercadona that leads to the car park. Sounds confusing, but is fairly easy!
Park there.
The Rio Chillar is easy to find, it runs under the
bridge! Turn right here away from the sea (Obviously!)
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| Nerja car park dust bowl |
From here follow the route of the Rio (River) Chiller
towards the hills. Passing under the road bridge in central Nerja. It is
important you keep to the right hand side of the Rio Chiller. Once under the
bridge you will pass a foot bridge to your left. Stay on the right of the Rio
Chillar. After a few minutes if you look above you there are a number of cave
houses which are still lived in. After about 15 minutes the whole area opens up
almost into a plateau. You will see a road/path crosses the rio at this point going uphill from both sides. In the distance you will see the A7 motorway bridge high across the valley. You will be heading for that bridge. After about 10 Minutes, go under the bridge.
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| Motorway bridge over A7 Nerja |
Once under the bridge the path splits. Take the right hand path. It is important you take the right hand path, you will see the river bed of the Rio Chillar. Carry on walking straight along this route. After approx. another 10 minutes
you come across a white building, next to a white compound which operates as a
car park during the summer months.
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| Car park near Rio Chillar Nerja |
Just past here is the entrance to the National Park.
There is a barrier across the road to prevent vehicular traffic. Just prior to
the barrier you will see the Rio Chillar to your left. Dependent upon the time
of year and rainfall, the river invariably disappears under the ground at this
point. However keep walking forward and you will see a disused quarry area.
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| Entrance to Quarry, Rio Chillar, Nerja |
Keep the quarry to your left, and eventually you pick up the Rio Chillar again.
After 20 Mins there is a 'man made' waterfall to your right. The local power station divert the water on occasions causing the 'waterfall.' It can be missed as sometimes the waterfall is not operational.You will see the difference in the coloration of the rock where the
water falls.
Now the fun starts! Up until now the river may have been dry or slow flowing. However the water increases and you walk through narrow passes, touching each side of the walls. You need to ensure a careful footing. Look at the 'tidal' height on the walls and see where it sometimes goes up to.
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| Rio Chillar, Nerja |
This is a great hike, and you can walk as far as you
wish, remembering of course it is the same route back. I usually stop at the
first 'lagoon' which is about a 90 min walk from the barrier. Take your
swimming clothes it can be a great spot. The local children build a dam to make
the lagoon deeper. There is a car route where you could park by the barrier and cut out the
first 30/40 mins walk.
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| Lagoon, Rio Chillar, Nerja |
This and all my walks are simple, solitary walks, but if you want something a bit more sociable interaction, informative about local areas, history and and in depth to varying degrees you cant do better than go walking with John Keo walking tours. John, and his brother Graham, operate out of Nerja and Frigiliana. The link is http://www.hikingwalkingspain.com/ . Well worth the day out with these 2. Give them a try. I did, it was one of the best things I did (I don't work for John, he is just very good).
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