This hiking trail connects two small towns in Málaga and leaves

In the heart of the Serranía de Ronda, within the Great Trail of the Serranía de Ronda (GR 141), lies one of the most picturesque sections for discovering the landscape of the Upper Genal Valley. This is the GR 141.2 trail, a hiking route that links the towns of Cartajima and Pujerra, two charming localities that preserve the authentic flavor of the mountain villages of Málaga. This linear itinerary spans 4.5 kilometers, is accredited by the Andalusian Federation of Mountain, Climbing and Hiking Sports, and can be completed in just an hour and a half of walking thanks to its mild difficulty.

The route starts from Cartajima, departing from Calvario Street to connect with the Camino del Helechar, an old cattle track. In its first kilometer, the trail runs alongside the recreational area of the Mirador del Quince, which offers one of the most spectacular views of the surroundings. From there, the path enters a vast chestnut grove dotted with holm oaks, cherry trees, strawberry trees, ancient gall oaks, cork oaks, and olive trees, creating a landscape typical of the highlands that in autumn takes on coppery and golden hues.

This section is ideal for observing the characteristic vegetation of the Upper Genal Valley. The route, almost continuously downhill, leads the visitor through a succession of gentle slopes, among forests that transform with each season and frame the views of the valley.

The Genal River and the legend of the Visigothic king Wamba

Past the three-kilometer mark, the trail reaches the crossroad with the Júzcar-Pujerra road, where it is necessary to turn left to cross the Genal River over a small concrete bridge in the area known as Molino de Capilla. This site is linked to one of the most popular legends of the region: that of King Visigoth Wamba. According to tradition, a delegation of nobles and clerics arrived in these lands to crown him. Hearing his wife's voice from the Tajo de la Zorra, they located the monarch plowing with a pair of oxen. Initially refusing to accept the crown, Wamba thrust his goad into the ground and, seeing it miraculously bloom, interpreted the wonder as a divine sign to become king of Spain. This story, passed down through generations, was documented in the mid-20th century by Diego Vázquez Otero.

After the bridge, the route continues with a new detour to the left, marked as trail PR-A-225 (Júzcar-Pujerra). After traveling about 400 meters, the road is crossed again to face the final climb that ends at the Mirador de la Cruz, at the entrance of Pujerra. From this point, you can enjoy the best panoramic views of Cartajima, its Cancho de Almola, and the Sierra del Oreganal with its Riscos, a stunning torcal of limestone rocks shaped over millennia by atmospheric agents.