Hozgarganta River Trail

This trail offers numerous natural and cultural attractions, including the Royal Artillery Factory, remains of a pioneering steel industry, and the flour mills along the Hozgarganta River, the last virgin river in Andalusia. A river that connects history and nature, especially as it passes through the Los Alcornocales Natural Park in Jimena de la Frontera.

It begins near the Cruz Blanca (located near the Los Alcornocales campsite), a place where trade routes from the north once converged (Cortes de la Frontera-Ubrique).

The Hozgarganta rises in La Sauceda at an altitude of 160 meters and runs for 35 kilometers, mostly through the Los Alcornocales Natural Park. It is a tributary of the Guadiaro River. It is currently the only Andalusian river channel that does not have regulation throughout its entire basin. This characteristic, combined with its location and ecological richness, makes it attractive and unique, serving as a resting place for numerous species.

The trail descends from the Cruz Blanca (White Cross) as the starting point until it soon reaches the Gaitán mill, where you can see the water inlet and outlet channels that once powered its operation, as well as the preserved exterior architecture from centuries past.

We continue along the path along the river along a cobblestone path and several paths carved into the rock that facilitated access to the town's old water collection points during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Among them, the famous "Fuente de la Teja" (Teja Fountain) stands out, the most characteristic of many, where we can still see its original decoration.

We continue our way toward the Royal Artillery Factory Canal, known by the name "Cao," but not before coming across the Professor's mill along the way.

Built during the Siege of Gibraltar in 1777, the Canal of the Royal Artillery Factory of Charles III served as a channel for water to the blast furnaces located in the Pasada de Alcalá area, entering into operation in 1780. This factory supplied weapons to the colonies located in American territory during the War of Spanish Succession.

This route can be traversed in several ways, either in the opposite direction and starting at Pasada del Alcalá or along the path known as La Encubierta.