The car park.
The guide suggested that we parked here and walked to the Central Electrica, about 2 kilometers away. It stated that the track was passable by a normal car but advised against it due to possible parking problems. I would advise against it just on the state of the track. I would think twice before doing it in a range rover. Amazingly, as we walked up the track, a few cars had braved the track and saved themselves a fifteen minute walk. Hire cars I bet.
Monica’s first steps in the water.
The central electrica is where the first river crossing is. Time to change into my wet shoes. Across the stream and its not long until you are in the river proper. Well, its more of a stream really. The majority of the walk is shin deep with only a few places where you go beyond knee deep. The sensation of the cold water running past your feet when walking in the heat is superb. You need to be careful of your step as some of the rocks under foot are treacherously slippy. There are also small "waterfalls" that you need to negotiate. This should not put you off as it isn’t that difficult and there is usually a path on land to avoid most of the obstacles.
The first obstacle.
The first part of the walk takes you through a couple of "Cahorros". I have no idea what you would call them in English but it is where the stream goes very narrow and either side is banked with steep cliffs. The second one is spectacular. The cliff face is smooth and like marble. The walk was very popular with young and old alike. The more mature walkers with their alpine ski-like walking sticks. The younger Spanish walkers opted for sticks carved out of bamboo, of which there is a plentiful supply of.
In the Cahorro.
After 45 minutes in the water you reach the first stop-off point, popular with families. It is the first pool. At its deepest it is probably up to your belly button. You can skirt around the sides to keep dryer if you want. We decided it was too busy for us so we didn’t stop. We would wait for the pools further up stream.
The next section of the walk has another "Cahorro" to admire. However, after that there is not much else to see. This is taken in the context of the beginning of the walk. I think the first part raises your expectations too much. You still need to concentrate on your footing. The obstacles become more frequent. The water flows quicker. The number of paths on land also increases but many of them are short lived. Enough for Monica to take a break from the cold water.
Its too cold.
After another good hour of walking you reach the first waterfall and pool. As it was Wimbledon Mens final day we had agreed that this would be the end point of our walk. Again, the pool area was busy. Mainly with teenage Spaniards cooling off from the summer heat. We found a nice rock under the shade of a tree that doubled as a bag stand and made camp. I nice swim in the pool. A cold shower under the waterfall. A promise to return and explore further upstream another time.
Cooling off.
It was now 1:30pm. The final started at 3:00pm. It had taken us over 2 and a half hours to get to this point. I set the target of being back at the car within an hour and a half. We had no chance but it motivated us. As a rule, we don’t like walks that go back on themselves. Doing it against the clock added a bit of fun. Parallels to the British Grand Prix ensued. Not only did we have to negotiate the bends and obstacles of the river. We had to get past the walkers coming the opposite way, and worst, overtake the ones returning back to base. This often meant going the hard way, or taking advantage of the paths on land. We made it back to the car at 3:20pm. Not a bad effort. Off to watch the tennis in Burriana. The usual Sunday nightmare packing situation meant we had to park at home and walk down. Nadal had better win. Alas, it was not to be. A great final though and Monica can no longer have a go at me for shouting at the tele when football’s on. Shocking behaviour Monica!
Front row seats at All That Jazz.
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