Parque Ardales travel guide

Fantastic environment

The entire landscape around Ardales forms a marvellous natural panorama offering the visitor endless possibilities.

The clear blue water is perfect for swimming.

First of all, we must mentions the reservoirs. There are three in total and are all very large. These are: El Conde de Guadalhorce, El Guadalteba and El Guadalhorce reservoirs. The first falls entirely within the municipality of Ardales, whereas the other two are shared by those of Antequera, Campillos and Teba.

Kayaks can be hired to enjoy the lakes.

The banks of El Conde de Guadalhorce are of enormous tourist interest, with the Parque Ardales camp-site with accommodation for 1,000 guests, only separated by a one-kilometer path. One of the most beautiful spots of the province of Málaga is the gorge known as the Garganta or Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, reached by a two-kilometer track from the camp-site. In the narrowest part of the gorge is an old service road that runs along at a height of more or less 100m. This picturesque path is known as the "Caminito del Rey".

Cave of Ardales

This cave is also known as the cave of Doña Trinidad or La Calinoria. It is reached by a 3-kilometer track which begins outside Ardales on the Carratraca road.

Ardales Lakes

The cave was discovered in 1821, but it was not until 1918 that Abbot Breuil found and studied its prehistoric paintings and carvings. The cave is 1.5 kilometers long, containing such chambers and galleries as the Gran Sala, the Galería, the Chamber of El Arquero, the Sala del Lago, the Gallery of El Espolón, the gallery of the Grabados (carvings), and the Sala de las Manos (hands). The interior contains labyrinths of columns, underground lakes and beautiful formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Apart from its undoubted interest as a natural phenomenon, the cave's major attraction is its paintings and carvings which date back 20.000 years to the Upper Paleolithic age.

TOURISM OFFICE ADDRESS

Avda. Málaga, 1 - 29550 Ardales. Phone: +34 952 45 80 46

OFFICIAL SITE

www.ardales.es