BEAUTIFUL CASTRIL

CASTRIL - ACTIVITIES FOR EVERYONE

Route 5 - Source of Rio Castril

	Time: 0 mins. Location: Cortijos del Nacimiento. GPS: 521938 / 4193740	Comments: We start at the cortijos at the end of the road that passes for about 8.5km along the Castril valley. To find this road, one takes the exit to the west indicated by the 'camping' signpost which is between the mechanic's workshop and the Repsol bottled gas supplier on the A326 (520846 / 4185492). We follow the road downhill looking for signs to 'Camping El Cortijillo'. The campsite is actually about half way to the end of the road. We cross a second bridge and we can be sure that we have arrived as there is a large silver water pipe suspended in the air. This feeds the electrical turbine for power in the valley.
	Time: 5 mins. Location: Track beside fencing. GPS: 521919 / 4193733	Comments: Our walk starts by passing under the water pipe by the information signs, and following the path which has a fence on the left and irrigation canal on the right.
	Time: 20 mins. Location: End of fencing. GPS: 522226 / 4194479	Comments: When the fencing ends, we find ourselves in the middle of the Castril valley with majestic cliffs to the left.
	Time: 25 mins. Location: Wooden bridge. GPS: 522289 / 4194586	Comments: We follow the path with the river on our left, noting the footbridge which is used on other walks.
	Time: 30 mins. Location: Y junction. GPS: 522352 / 4194772	Comments: At the Y junction, we take the left path and then follow alongside the irrigation canal.
	Time: 35 mins. Location: Viewing station. GPS:	Comments: We come across a viewing station with information about the geological formation of the valley.
	Time: 50 mins. Location: Nacimiento. GPS: 522107 / 4195686	Comments: In less than a kilometre we find ourselves looking down onto 'El Nacimiento' - the source of the river. Depending on the time of year there will either be an enormous cascade of water emanating from the rock, or none. This is now the start point for many other routes.