The hidden pool among the mountains of Málaga that everyone recognizes by its giant stone: a natural paradise that seems like something out of a fairy tale.

In the heart of the Genal Valley, where nature makes its way among cork oaks, chestnut trees, and ancient glens, one of the most unique pools in the province of Málaga is hidden. This is the Charco Esteban, also known as La Fuentecilla, a natural pool nestled between the municipal areas of Jubrique and Benalauría, whose most recognizable feature is a large rock in the middle of the water, making it an easily identifiable and memorable spot for visitors.

This small haven, fed by the waters of the Genal River, stands out not only for its highly valuable ecological environment but also for its unique geography and as a common resting and summer bathing spot among the locals.

Two paths, one destination

Charco Esteban can be reached by two main routes. The most direct starts from the San Juan bridge, located on the MA-8305 road that connects Algatocín with Jubrique. From this point, hikers must join the Benarrabá-Benalauría section of the Gran Senda of the Serranía de Ronda (GR-141) and then turn off after crossing the Arabí stream, continuing along a track until reaching the old Almenta mill. The pool is just a few meters from there. This route has a length of 3.5 kilometers one way.

The second option starts from the town of Jubrique itself, following the signs for the trail SL-A 195, which outlines a route of just over 6 kilometers one way. It is a path heavily traveled during the summer months, frequently used by locals looking for a place to cool off. The route goes through landscapes that alternate between pine forests, cork oaks, orchards, and ancient paths, many of which have been connected for centuries with nearby villages.

A place with history and biodiversity

The Charco Esteban is easily recognizable by the stone block that rises in the center of the stream. Also by an ancient irrigation channel visible on the opposite rock wall, a remnant of the traditional hydraulic systems that supplied old estates in the area. The surroundings of the pool are flanked by abundant riparian vegetation, where notable species include the emborrachacabras (Coriaria myrtifolia), a plant characteristic of the humid margins of the Genal.

One of the most cherished features of the site is the small sandy beach that forms next to the pool, ideal for resting and observing the surroundings. In its waters lives the Genal chub (Squalius malacitanus), a species of fish endemic to certain streams of the southern Iberian Peninsula, adding ecological value to the pool.

The pool and its evolution

The depth of Charco Esteban has decreased in recent years. Torrential rains have carried sediments that have gradually filled the basin, significantly reducing its capacity. Although in the past this pool allowed for full immersion, today it does not reach enough depth for diving from the rocks, a practice that is discouraged. Nevertheless, the place retains its appeal due to the fluvial environment that surrounds it and the natural spring that flows all year round next to the pool.

Views of the Genal and hiking among white villages

During the ascent along the forest track leading to the pool from Jubrique, the landscape opens up and reveals the other side of the Genal Valley, where the white villages stand out on the slopes covered with Mediterranean vegetation. From Higuerón Alto, the relief of Benalauría is visible, with the Peñón de Benadalid dominating the divide between the Genal and Guadiaro valleys.

The end of the trail is abrupt. The dirt track ends in front of a house, and a narrow path descends for five minutes to the riverbed, where Charco Esteban awaits. This spot, halfway between two villages, has traditionally been used as a passageway between both and continues to be a meeting point for hikers, locals, and visitors who find here an environment of great natural beauty.