Walk 4. Maro Caves and Canyon

A short drive east along the Autovia to the start point just north of the main street through Maro.

A gradual climb up a narrow gorge which twisted and turned around rocky ourcrops with shallow caves. Then out into more open countryside with views back to Nerja, but dense vegetation close to the narrow rising path. Lofty views northward up to the ruined cortijo, which was to be our lunch stop. Then circling round and gradually gaining height toward the pine forest to arrive at the Cortijo de Rufina with long distant views of the coast.

After lunch on the edge of the threshing circle, a gentle drop to a dry stream and up to a 600m spur before descending to a wide stone track. Shortcuts across the long zig-zags presented a few problems for some of the group because of the steepness but the next section was a pleasant deep valley surrounded by eucalyptus trees shedding their bark across the path.

The steep exit out of the gorge to avoid the local rubbish tip was taken with care, up and across the bare rocks. After a short break the final descent along a broad vehicular track brought us out on to the Nerja Caves road and along the road to the local bar in Maro.

This was the favourite walk of the week for many of the group because of the variety of scenery with deep gorges and open views from interesting narrow tracks between rosemary and gorse bushes.