Skip to main content

7.3km – 12mins Drive Benahavis Village.

To many Andalucíans, native and expatriate alike, Benahavís is synonymous with food. It has the highest concentration of high class restaurants in the region and draws visitors by the thousand who come simply to savour the cuisine. By day the bustling administarative centre of the area, by night transforms into the ideal eating location. The streets become a padestrian maze, cars are replaced by tables spilling out from the many restaurants and bars. What ever your culinary preferance you will not be disapointed.

The village itself is full of beauty and charm and is well worth a visit at any time of day or year.

The Guadalmina River passes near to the village on its way to flowing into the sea Guadalmina Beach in San Pedro de Alcántara, Marbella, Malaga. Infact you drive up the valley with the mountain rocks to your left and the river valley below to the right.

The most interesting part of the river is the area near the village of Benahavis known as “Las Angosturas” or “Cañon de las Angosturas”. It is ideal for river walking or beginners’ level canyoning.

The river walking route begins in the area known as “Charca de las Mozas”. It is located just above the A-7175 km post on a tight bend. There is a path down to the river where you can start by jumping into a deep pool from the tall rocks that surround it.

Just below “Charca de las Mozas” is the “Angosturas” canyon, which is 1,100 m long, finishing at “Charca de los Tubos”. The duration of the whole ‘walk’ is about 2 hours, if you do it gently and carefully, and the descent is 50 meters.

The first part includes the “Tajo del Novio” where you see the large rock face called “Cerro de las Palomas” and the hill called “Loma de la Barrosa”.

When you arrive at the first narrow gorge, you will have to swim through a narrow section and where you can see various plants amongst the rocks and water dripping from the rock walls. This is a really impressive spot.

Further on, the river opens up until you reach the most spectacular area, as the rock walls on both sides come together, giving the impression passing through a cave with crystalline waters. Without a doubt, a pleasant place to stop and admire the surroundings.

Then you continue along the river until you reach the Dam “Presa de Guadalmina”. This is where water used to be collected and piped down the valley for agriculture. Here you will have to descend carefully for 3 or 4 meters, helped by a rope that is usually tied there.

Once you have reached the bottom of the dam, you cross the last gorge until you reach “Charca de los Tubos”, where the “Angosturas” route finishes.  There is a car park close to the finish of the river walk, we park here, walk up to the top of the hill enjoying the views as we go, then desend into the canyon at the top near the village.

Although areas of the walk are easy I would definatly say this is only suitable for confident swimmers and those that have a good level of fitness and ability. Highly recommend wearing dive shoes to protect your feet as travel down the gorge.