El Chorro hike

We joined our new hiking group for our second ramble at El Chorro near the lakes, and set off via a 200 metre tunnel to a winding track, passing a colony of colmenas (bee-hives) , the Leader telling us to be very quiet as we passed, so as not to disturb them. We climbed for nearly an hour with frequent stops (breathers), and finally clambered up the final 300 metres over rough rocks, to be rewarded with stunning views over the El Chorro gorge, and a sheer drop of about 300-400 metres (1,000’). J not very happy as suffers vertigo on such occasions. (wouldn’t anyone!!!! - but I did enjoy looking at the wild autumn crocus’!!)

Spent about 30 minutes admiring the view, and spotting some huge Griffon Vultures (3m wingspan) on an adjacent rock face. As the weather was quite cloudy, they were not very active, but on hot sunny days, up to 60 can be seen soaring high on the thermals above the valley.

You can see an old railway line below where the final scenes in the film Von Ryans Express were shot and the bridge and a wooden walkway - now in a state of disrepair.