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History | Juzcar
Track | Jubrique Track
By Chris Wawn and Chris Chaplow
Leading out of the back of the Pujerra pueblo (GPS
36* 36' 44"N 5* 9' 6"W Google
maps), the road climbs steadily up and past chestnut groves.
One of the large commercial co-operative barns here is where the
chestnuts are processed in October and November. The road dips into
the 'Cañada de los Quejigos' before climbing to the .
The
The Jubrique track leaves the tarmac road at an
unmarked junction. At (GPS 36* 35' 56"N 5* 8' 31"W Google
maps) passes through some of this long mountain range, which
was the site of many mines up until the 18th century.
The track, which may be paved in a few years, roughly
follows the spine of the coastal range. Although best traversed
in 4x4 any car could make the journey except perhaps just after
heavy rains.
It continues its windy course following the contours
of the hillside. As the road climbs, so the chestnuts give way to
pine groves, many of which have been recently planted. Take care
on the sharp bends, not just for the drop down to the river Genal
but for local farmer in an oncoming vehicle all too familiar with
the route. Further on at an unmarked junction (GPS 36* 35' 18"N
5* 10' 32"W Google
maps) another track descends to cross the Rio Genal
at popular in the summer swimming and picnic location. (GPS 36*
36' 28"N 5* 10' 24"W Google
maps). This is near the ruins of the Finca
la Fabrica the old Tin factory. The track climbs up through
the woods to join the MA7301 at an unmarked junction (GPS 36* 37'
17"N 5* 10' 36"W Google
maps) between the villages of Júzcar
and Farájan.
Our track climbs to the highest point the 'Puerto
el Chaperral' (GPS 36* 34' 39"N 5* 10' 6"W Google
maps) where a automatic weather station holds guard, before
droping down near a weigh bridge by the entrance to a gated finca
which obstructs the old and more direct route down to the coast
via valleys such as the Guadalmansa. This remote
zone is only accessible to the sturdy hiker not deterred by fences
crossing uncertain ancient rights of way.
One interesting spot in Guadalmansa valley is the
Casa des los Banos. Given that the rocks contain
many minerals, it is likely this was some form of sulphur pool and
well known to the Romans. Access in ancient times would have been
up the steep valley from a Roman community known to have existed
where the river enters the sea.
Now is is only a short descent to the unmarked junction
(GPS 36* 32' 48"N 5* 10' 20"W Google
maps) on the paved Estepona - Puerto de Peñas Blancas
(1010m) - Jubrique road.
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