El Chorro Gorge And Ardales Lakes, Andalucia, Spain

Located some 50 kilometres inland from Malaga and near the towns of Ardales and Alora are the Ardales Lakes (Conde de Guadalhorce reservoir) and dramatic gorge at El Chorro. Three beautiful artificial lakes surrounded by pine forests created by a dam built across the dramatic 200 metre high gorge known by the name Garganta del Chorro or El Chorro Gorge. This is a tranquil retreat where you can camp. picnic, swim and dine out. The gorge, highly popular with rock climbers is over 400 metres deep with just a 10 metre gap between the 2 rocks. If the Gorge reminds of somewhere, it is probably from having seen Von Ryan's Express with Trevor Howard and Frank Sinatra which had the train scenes filmed there.

The village is located beside the dam of The Conde de Guadalhorce Reservoir in the Sierra del Valle de Agues which was founded to cater accomodation for the workers who built the dam, who gained access to it via El Caminito del Rey road. Alongside the Gorge is the railway line Cordoba to Malaga and on one side of the rock, 100 meters high is a frighteningly dangerous looking footwalk.

The area is very popular at weekends all year round and a selection of restaurants are located here making a popular place to come for Sunday lunch. Various offical camp sites provide accommodation for visitors from many locations across Europe. The area looks particularly beautiful in winter and spring.

Other lakes in the area that are well worth a visit include Istan near Marbella, Iznajar near Antequera and Vinuela near Velez Malaga.