THERE are a few variations on the standard walk down the Guadiaro Valley from the railway station at Jimera de Libar to the station at Cortes de la Frontera. The route described here is there and back – actually describing a figure of eight, so there are various permutations for doing the walk in just one direction and using the train to return.

22 kms (there and back), 400m ascent, Grade 2/3

10-12 kms, one way, Grade 2

From Estacion Jimera, go over the level crossing in an easterly direction and head up the road . Just before the junction with the road that goes up to the village of Jimera de Libar look out for a concreted track to your left. Take this, heading uphill. After a 100m or so the track swings to the right but we continue straight up a well used path. We soon reach a junction where we bear right and continue up to the village of Jimera de Libar. Turn right and go up through the village square before dropping back down to the road.

Turn left on to the road and walk for about 100m until, just past the last house on our right, we find a track. Turn right down this and follow the paved track. We pass a footpath sign and continue on the main path to cross a stream and reach a green gate (1046, 2.8 kms). Go through this and continue straight, ignoring two junctions to our left, then right. We pass through a farmyard area, with the building to our right and just beyond, an information board. Continue straight along the track to a green gate (1048, 4.7 km).

Go through the gate and continue along the track which crosses a stream (1049, 5.3 kms) and then starts to ascend gradually. We pass through two wire gates and continue up until we see a ruined cortijo on our right. Take care here (1050, 6.1 km), as we must leave the main track and turn right (through another wire gate) to pass alongside (to the right) of the cortijo. The track winds its way down an open field (shortcuts are advised!) heading down to the railway line and river valley. WE arrive at another wire gate which opens to the track running alongside the railway. Turn left onto this, by a Zona de Reserva sign (6.8 kms).

The track soon crosses the railway (1051) and shortly after, in an area of eucalyptus trees the track forks. We take the smaller, righthand option which leads down to stepping stones over the river. Note – during the winter months or after heavy rain the stepping stones are probably under water and it is advisable to avoid the river crossing by continuing straight at the previous junction (i.e. following the return route in these route notes). Cross the river and follow the path up to a track (1053).

Turn left onto this and follow it to a 4-way junction (1054). Go straight here past a via pecuaria sign and follow the track along the right side of the railway line. Keep following the track to point 1056 where we see a bridge under the railway to our left. Go through this and turn right onto another track. We soon see a bridge to our right with the signposted path to Cortes de la Frontera passing beneath, but we continue straight, keeping the railway to our right. We soon come out on the road at Estacion Cortes (1059, 11.2 kms).

There are a couple of refreshment options at Estacion Cortes – recommended is Hotel/Restaurant El Gecko – head up the road towards the station and bear left at the signs for the hotel.

If continuing on the return route, we turn left on the road and cross the road bridge over the river. Continue up the road for some 600m until we see a track off to our left (1060, 12.2 km) The track soon starts to ascend steadily until we reach a wire fence/gate (usually open), 1062. Continue straight through this along the main track, passing a turnoff to our right (signposted to Valle Genal). Shortly after we come to a very confusing signboard which seems to suggest that we turn right into the bush for Jimera (1063, 14.1 km). Ignore this and continue straight along the track.

The track starts to descend and finally passes under a railway bridge (1064, 15.7 km). At the junction immediately after the bridge we turn right , following the railway. We soon reach the junction on our outward journey (by the eucalyptus trees, and cross back over the railway line (1052). We now continue along the track, keeping the railway to our left until the track ends somewhat abruptly (1065, 17.6 km) . We now follow the small path and soon come to a wire gate with a PR footpath marker (1066). We continue straight along the path going through a bedframe gate at point 1067 (18.4 km).

We continue along the path through some trees and soon it climbs slightly up to a ridge where there is a path junction, 1068, (turn right here if going up to the village of Jimera de Libar). For the station we continue straight and soon come to a railway crossing (1069, 19.9 kms). Cross over and pick up a track which goes past a signboard for the path up the Canada de Olivar (alternative route up to Jimera), 1015 20.3kms. Continue straight up the track back to the station (21.5 kms).

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Estacion Jimera de Libar - Estacion Cortes de la Frontera
Saturday, 12 September 2009
THERE are a few variations on the standard walk down the Guadiaro Valley from the railway station at Jimera de Libar to the station at...

© 2012 - Secret Andalucia - Guadiaro Valley, near Ronda

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