Valley of the Eagle

Price	€ 15
Day & Time	Wednesdays starting at 10:00 (walking calendar)
Meeting Point	Nerja bus station, Nerja (map) at 09:30, and then at the Nerja Caves (map) at 10:00.
Minimum Group Size	Limited number of spaces available on each walk in order to maintain group safety and good walker/guide ratio.
Start Time	10:00 at the Nerja Caves
Finish Time	14:00 at Nerja Caves (map)
Walking Time	approximately 4 hours (includes lots of stops for breaks, lunch, photos, chit chat, etc.)
Walking Distance	11 kilometres (linear route)
Height Gained	300 metres (from Nerja Caves)
Level of Difficulty	1B (rating explanation)
Risk of vertigo	No
Recommendations	Hiking boots or walking shoes with thick socks not essential. Trainers/tennis shoes will more than suffice. Definitely no flip-flops, sandals or similar, please. A fair level of fitness to the point of being able to maintain a brisk walk is all that would be needed. Bring something to eat for lunch, sufficient water and appropriate clothing.
Additional Gear	None.
Highlights	Complete absence of any slopes, inclines or difficult terrain underfoot. Walk through one of the prettiest pine-cloaked mountain valleys in the area. Really nice views from a low mountain pass at the turn around point.
Facilities	Lavatory, drinks and food available at Nerja Caves.
Observations	This walk starts at the Nerja Caves at 10:00. Walkers based in Nerja should meet me no later than 09:30 at the Nerja town meeting point (map). Walkers based in Frigiliana who intend to use public transport for getting to the start of this walk should get the 08:00 bus to Nerja and meet the main group at the Nerja town meeting point at 09:30, at which point we will all get the 09:40 bus to the Nerja Caves, where this walk will begin at 10:00. This walk ends at the Nerja Caves at approximately 15:00. Walkers based in Frigiliana will be able to catch either the 16:15 or 17:00 bus to Nerja, and then catch the 19:00 bus to get back to Frigiliana.
Map of walking area

Do you enjoy walking in the mountains and feeling one with nature, but don’t like the prospect of having to go up too many hillsides or inclines? Then this walk is for you! This is an ideal walk for ramblers who love getting out into the Natural Park and mountain environment and feeling exhilarated by the beautiful surroundings without the strain or difficulty of too much exertion. This is one of my easiest walks and is highly recommended for those who especially need to go walking or do regular exercise in a low impact environment.

We will follow a well-groomed forest trail for practically the entire duration of the first half of the walk as we explore one of the most beautiful and easily accessible valleys in the area. The trail steadily follows the slow rise of the valley, taking us through a thick forest of pine trees. There are a few historical points of interest along the way, not to mention the usual discussions of plants and wildlife which will add to the enjoyment and make for an interesting outing.

This valley was once a hive of mining activity during the 19th and 20th centuries as a consequence of the abundant mineral deposits found here. Located at our turn-around point on the site of a mountain spring is the old miners’ lodgings which is now a converted restaurant. We can have a lovely lunch here before heading back down the valley. The lodgings is hidden away in a verdant stand of eucalyptus trees. At this point of the walk, we can also appreciate the spectacular views of some of the more dramatic peaks and crags towering around us. The mountain spring greets us on our final approach to the miners’ lodgings where we can sit for a well deserved rest and enjoy a lovely meal.

Once thoroughly fed and watered, we begin our slow return via a different and exciting route. We retrace our steps down the valley for a short distance before dropping into a beautiful gorge. The gorge is shaded by the many eucalyptus trees that have taken up residence here, and you will soon notice that it is much cooler and quieter as you walk along its soft, fine gravel path. The gorge is replete with interesting features and contains a markedly different flora to that of the valley above. Once we have traversed the length of the gorge, all that is left for us to do is to walk over to Maro to enjoy a refreshing drink.

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