Sendero de la Rabilarga

It enables observation of the difference between the Mediterranean forest and riverside vegetation, as you stroll along the banks of streams, through a pasture, a cork oak forest and gaze on a holm oak that is hundreds of years old, the Encina de los Arrieros, which used to be a meeting place for mule drivers working on the nearby farms.

This short pathway starts from the Huerta del Rey visitor centre and the route is not at all difficult. The name encourages you to pay careful attention as you stroll along, as you may catch sight of examples of the great number of birds and animals that live alongside the river banks, and even more so if you are surrounded by meadows and woods, as is the case. The route starts at the 'Huerta del Rey' Visitor Centre and continues northwards alongside the Arroyo de Rabilarga stream, from which the route takes it name, along the right bank. The route follows the bed of the stream at all times and there is water present at all times, although the amount varies greatly, so you get to see a great number of species including elms, hawthorn, ivy, brambles, oleanders and black poplars. After about 100 metres you reach the 'Huerta del Rey' reservoir, used in previous times to water what used to be vegetable gardens. A little further on you come to a fork in the pathway, take the right fork to continue alongside the stream. After a few metres, to the left, you will see and abandoned quarry where slate alternates with limestone. Weathering has formed a scree.

During this pleasant walk, it is interesting to observe the different vegetation, Mediterranean forest on one side and riverbank vegetation on the other. The forest is populated with holm oaks and cork oaks, intermingled with shrubs such as rockrose, mastics and strawberry trees. The riverside vegetation is consists mostly of elms and poplars with climbing shrubs reaching up to the tree tops so in autumn there are wonderfully contrasting colours ranging from green to orange and beautiful red velvet. To continue, you turn left under the lane and cross a little wooden bridge to continue along a route which is parallel to the previous one but on the left bank of the stream as far as a small natural spring, next to an ancient holm oak called the 'Encina de las Arrieros' because it was a meeting place for the mule drivers who worked in the nearby gardens who then went off to the village together. 

You then continue until you reach an old Gall oak and just a few steps towards the stream you will see a small waterfall. If you keep quiet, you will not only hear the babble of the water, but wonderful birdsong: Reed warblers, nightingales and flycatchers. Once back to the centre, you will cross a small meadow with holm oaks and cork oaks and a fan palm here and there.