Riverside Walk: the circular route that takes you to the secluded sanctuary of the Virgin of Bethlehem

A circular trail starting from Riogordo, currently approved by the Andalusian Mountaineering Federation as SL-A-392. It goes around the perimeter of the urban area, passing by the Cueva River and one of its tributaries, the Morenas stream.

1. Trail Information

Region: Axarquía

Municipality: Riogordo

Difficulty Level: Low. This route has some slopes, but they are short and not too steep. There are numerous signs and indications to prevent getting lost at any point.

Type of Route: Circular

Approximate Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Length: 5.5 kilometers

Minimum Elevation: 368 meters

Maximum Elevation: 475 meters

Nearby Points of Interest: Riogordo Ethnographic Museum, Church of Virgen de Gracia, Sanctuary and old mill of Virgen de Belén, Paso enclosure and Olivos Bridge.

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1. How to Reach the Starting Point

To start this route, head to the municipality of Riogordo. Specifically, look for the end of Paseo de Andalucía, right where Vera del Río Park is located (near the Olivos Bridge). There, you will see the descriptive sign for this circular route. Try to park your vehicle in the vicinity of Paseo de Andalucía or Calle Real.

1. Route Description

1Once the starting point is located, proceed along Galeote Street, and then Salcedo Street, to reach the road leading out of the urban area, Virgen de Belén. Right there, it meets the Cueva River through a riverside walkway with plenty of shade in the first meters. The riverbed will be on the right, and you will walk on a paved and slightly descending lane at the beginning.

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2After just over a kilometer from the start, you reach one of the most emblematic places for the people of Riogordo, the sanctuary of Virgen de Belén and the old mill of the same name. The former is known for housing a painting of the virgin that, according to legend, arrived here after a flood in 1907. The canvas remained among the rocks and is still there today, although it is hard to see as it is protected by a door and a metal net.

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3From the sanctuary, the path begins to slightly ascend, while moving away from the Cueva River bed. It will continue on the right, but with a better perspective. Several orchards are seen that today use its waters for irrigation. Soon after, the path makes a nearly 180-degree turn to head north where it meets a tributary of the Cueva River, the Morenas stream. Here awaits a thrilling and ascending path that takes the route back to the urban area of Riogordo, but this time reaching the eastern part of the town.

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4After crossing a pedestrian crossing, the path continues along the perimeter of Riogordo's urban area. It will go up Jorge Guillén Street first, and then Rafael Alberti Street. On this street, be sure to take the bridge over the Morenas stream (to the right). From there, the path continues parallel to the stream, but in this case, it remains on the left.

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5From the cooperative, turn left onto a wide lane known as Camino de los Baños de Vilo to reach the urban area of Riogordo from the north. From there, only an urban stretch remains through this town in Axarquía. For this, you will go through Calvario and Blas Infante streets until reaching a roundabout where you will link a few meters by Camino del Bujeo. At the beginning of this road, take a left onto a wooden footbridge that returns next to the Cueva River. Here awaits one of the most pleasant parts of the trail until reaching the Olivos Bridge. Once there, only an uphill ramp remains to reach the starting point.

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Flora and Fauna

On this hiking route, which runs along the perimeter of Riogordo, there are some attractions in terms of biodiversity. On one hand, you can see some birds of prey and cliff-dwellers. On the other, there is also a valuable ecosystem in the olive grove and along the banks of the Morenas stream and the Cueva River. You can see or hear from frogs, hoopoes, kestrels, or wheatears to foxes, wild boars, or badgers, among other animal species. Regarding flora, in addition to the mentioned olive trees, there are wild olive trees, holm oaks, eucalyptus, almond trees, and pines, among other trees. This is complemented by various shrubs and aromatic plants, such as gorse, thyme, or rosemary, among others.

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