"El Jaramillo" owes its name to the ranch located to both sides of the path that welcomes you into this "corredor verde", or "green path", as the government has now baptized the hiking/biking routes found within Natural Protected Parks and areas of Natural Interest. Thanks to this gesture, the once forbid and hidden trails within these georgeous environments are now accesible to the public, unravelling an unsuspected and magnificent Beauty.
The path we choose this time around, following the direction of the GR-7 sign, or E-4, is the one heading towards the "Sierra de Ojen", from Los Barrios....
The path we choose this time around, following the direction of the GR-7 sign, or E-4, is the one heading towards the "Sierra de Ojen", from Los Barrios....
Immediately approached by a significant hill, after much huffing and puffing from my side, once we reached the top we are rewarded by a stunning view of the green rolling hills and the village of the beautiful Los Barrios, on the horizon.
Upon descending, the scent of a million orange trees blossoms rush to greet us, as we pass by one of the many "fincas" surrounded by hundreds of these little trees.
A 4x4 or two drives pass by, later we will find out that there are some properties along the way used to keep goats, hens, goats and cattle, adding even more forms of life to the exuberant landscape.
The almost intoxicating scent of the blossoms left behind still accompany us for a while, as we approach a recreational area alongside the river; sadly, as with just about each one of this areas designated to allow visitors to enjoy and respect these marvellous surroundings, there is clear evidence of the impact of human transit, and the sight of garbage by the stream banks appears to be almost disturbing, in contrast with the sacredness of every form of vibrant life that surround us.
Rapidly, this uncomfortable feeling is replaced as we continue our path, being escorted by the many different species of herbs and flowers alongside the dirt road, in full blossom.
As we follow the instructions offered by one of the few neighbours, fortunate enough to own some property in such a privileged area, we soon reach a fork, were we are to turn right, downhill, and through the first fence.
A primitive locking system that ties the fence, allow us easy access into what appears to be a more luscious area; we leave an abandoned tractor behind, somehow managing to fit perfectly within the landscape, and some goats that stare at us with innocent curiosity.
The grass here grants the perception of being greener than in most places...........
On to the next gate that welcomes us to the vibrant stream where waters run furiously. To the right, we locate a few trunks lined up that touch both shores, serving us as a bridge to cross to the other side. Following the stream and leaving it to our left, we continue through the small path, coming almost face to face with a group of cattle, that, though peacefully roaming while watching us curiously, we would rather not walk between, however, not having noticed the familiar red and white GR7 path paintings reassuring us, we see no alternative but to walk between them. They seem to feel more uncomfortableby our presence that us from theirs,and try to avoid us by walking in front of us, at short distance, two youngsters get involved in a small fighting game, I turn around and go back the same way faster than the speed light, even feeling almost secure that they would not hurt us, but my refusal to continue walking behind them leaves us with the alternative of going back and leaving the path, or finding a way to continue on the other side that separate usthrough a large fence. Fortunately, we soon find the gate that leads way to the other side, where, in fact, we find further rocks with the GR7 red and white paintings, and no cows on sight, not yet...
We come into an open field very easy and comfortable to follow, with the ever present mountains in the foreground, and where oaks, bushes, flowers, and vegetation of a thousand especies find the perfect balance and space.
We come across some artificial stone formations composed by previous hikers, as the path in this area is almost non existant if not enough feet have walked through it for a large number of days, and that seemed to be the case in this occasion.
A surprise was awaiting for us as we relaxed breathing in the luxurious fresh mountain breeze, in the form of a bull, watching us from behind one of the many bushes, so we need to slightly divert our route as to not get in their way, he soon takes off to join a group of them that stood on the hill, silently, watching us God knows for how long. The idea of coming across the way of more of this magnificent creatures makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable, despite of their serene and peaceful aura, still, we need to save some energy to do the return way.
I am unsure at wich height of the path we returned, but we walked 2 and a half hours towards "Puerto de Ojen", the way back to the starting point was a bit agonizing, specially towards the end, however, worth every effort made on it, as with every breath one fills in with life in its purest state.
