Top 5 Gorges around Bayarque

The shortest beautiful gorge in the world

Challenging gorge, very quiet and unknown in the middle of nature with beautiful views, intended for the real biker and hiker.

One of the places that most impresses those who take a walk through the Almanzora Valley in the north of Almería, is El Estrecho located in the municipality of Urrácal. This narrow gorge is located on the Salada Rambla at the foot of the El Castillico hill. For decades it has not been possible to pass due to the large amount of vegetation that was on the boulevard. In the past, with the flooding of the riverbed, it was cleaned naturally, but the construction of dams to prevent large avenues and floods has caused, over the years, a large number of oleanders, tamarisks, blackberries and false reeds to appear. They prevented access. Thanks to the cleaning work that has been carried out, today we can enjoy a walk that surprises us with its particular geological formations of great beauty. The passage of water, which will accompany us along the route of this gorge, and the action of the wind, have shaped these spectacular geological formations for years, and its walls reach several meters high. It consists of two separate formations whose length reaches around half a kilometer where our senses will begin to enjoy the spectacle that this environment offers. A natural wonder worth exploring! 🌿🏞️

The Cueva de la Paloma in Bayarque, Andalusia, is a cavernous opening located at the foot of a steep peak. Its reddish and brown esplanade is formed by the compact accumulation of mineral rubble that fills the abrupt relief of the environment. This cave is located in the Bacares River gorge, with vertical limestone pits approximately 120 meters high. Access is free and available for visits. 🌿🏞️

This narrow gorge is located on the Rambla Salada at the foot of the hill “El Castillico”. For decades it has not been possible to pass due to the large amount of vegetation that was on the boulevard. Formerly, with the flooding of the riverbed, it was naturally cleaned but the construction of dams to prevent large avenues and floods has caused a large number of oleanders, tarays, blackberries and false reeds to appear over the years. the access. Thanks to the cleaning work that has been carried out, today, we can enjoy a walk that surprises us with its particular geological formations of great beauty. The passage of water, which will accompany us on the route of this gorge, and the action of the wind, have shaped these spectacular geological formations for years, and their walls reach several meters in height. It consists of two separate formations whose length reaches around half a kilometer where our senses will begin to enjoy the spectacle that this environment offers.

We will arrive at the top of Salto del Caballo where, according to legend, a cornered Moorish preferred to throw himself into the void with his mount rather than fall prisoner, NOT suitable for people with vertigo.

Located in the municipality of Bayarque, the Cueva de la Paloma is a cavernous opening at the foot of a steep peak, with a reddish and brown esplanade formed by the accumulation of mineral rubble, very compacted, that fill the abrupt relief of the environment. Outside we found a small hill on one side of the vertical wall that bordered the castle of Tíjola la Vieja, located in front. The place of La Cerrá, where it is located, is a gorge of the Bacares River, with vertical limestone pits with an approximate height of 120 meters. The sickle described by the river around a raised rock formation configures the natural fortress of the Tíjola la Vieja settlement. The Legend of the Treasure of the Cueva de la Paloma is shared by the residents of Tíjola and those of Bayarque. The locals say that when the artillery attack of Don Juan de Austria took place, the Moors fled at night, taking with them some food and the most valuable belongings for them, but they did not manage to take everything and hid most of their riches taking advantage of the grottos and caves in the area. It is assumed that most of a lavish treasure is hidden in the bowels of the Cueva de la Paloma, or in its surroundings.

The Paraje de La Cerrada de Valentín, La Cerrá, is a narrow and vertiginous gorge of several dozen meters, more than 120, a gash in the rock through which a small section of the Bacares River runs. Spectacular nature, history, work and leisure are concentrated there. Since my great grandparents, my family has been linked to their environment, hard work and happy moments. It is a benchmark of the natural and cultural heritage of the City of Tíjola. There are many vestiges of ancient populations settled in the environment. The place must have been very coveted for the abundance of water, mineral deposits and the defensive strength of the land. The current of water and its great unevenness favored agricultural use, livestock and the driving force for mills and other industries. The surrounding subsoil hides copper, iron, cinnabar and agate. La Cueva de la Paloma produced copper from the Argaric period (II millennium BC) until the last century. The abundance of limestone is remarkable, indispensable for ashlars, masonry and mortar. To the south, the Sierra de los Filabres offered wood, honey and all kinds of medicinal plants. To the north, just a few hundred meters, La Muela is a huge deposit of pottery clay of the best quality.