Río Verde gully: a paradisiacal place

Dear guest, the Río Verde gully is part of the Sierra de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park, whose peaks form the natural border between the provinces of Granada and Malaga. Getting to it is not difficult, but it requires crossing a private country estate. Hence, there is an access control and, currently, the Cooperative, Agricultural and Livestock Society of Campo de Cázulas charges an entry of five euros per person and another five per vehicle.

From the entrance gate to the parking of the Junta de los Ríos there is a dirt track that lasts for about eight kilometers with many curves. But the journey is worth it: it passes through a landscape declared of Cultural Interest by the Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage. Shortly after crossing a narrow section, crossing the bridge over the river and arriving at the natural park of public domain, you will find the parking.

In this ravine you can first find a puddle of very fresh and clear water. In it, falls a waterfall over which a suspension bridge crosses, in the middle of the Andalusian drylands, but surrounded by nature with landscapes reminiscent of the Alps and the plant exuberance of a riverbed that never dries up thanks to the contributions of the nearby ravines. 

Before crossing the bridge, you have to go down to its left bank to find another postcard featuring a turquoise pond surrounded by ferns and the sound of a small waterfall. It is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful and accessible places on the tour. That is why it is the one chosen by many families to enjoy a picnic on the weekends.

On the way there are a couple of viewpoints where you can stop to regain your strength and observe a view that seems to be taken from the “Picos de Europa”, with limestone rocks and dense pine forests.

When, about 20 minutes later, the path begins to descend, it is a good sign. Get ready because the good things are coming again. First, walking along the river and, later, crossing it a couple of times next to puddles in which to recreate and cool off.

A little further up, under the second suspension bridge, a large natural pool helps to get the adrenaline pumping with a couple of jumps into the water safe enough to dare.

After the second walkway, the final stretch of the route begins splashed with puddles where dragonflies dance. The definitive surprise comes again with a waterfall –this time called the “y” because of its shape– of fifteen meters and that gives vertigo just to look at it from below.

There are several possibilities that allow practically anyone to practice canyoning. In fact, the initiation route is the one chosen by 90 percent of the people, as well as the family itinerary, suitable for children from about ten years old. Finally, the integral is intended for people who already have previous experience and qualities suitable to perform it, since it offers more difficulty.

For this reason, the Río Verde ravine can always be enjoyed in a lot of ways: be careful, respecting the environment and without leaving any type of waste.

Dear guest, I leave you the Google Maps link in case you dare to do canyoning in the Río Verde within the Sierra de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park: