Bathing in the interior of Andalusia: fresh water and olive trees
**EL CHORRO RESERVOIR, ARDALES (MÁLAGA) **
At the end of the first millennium, back in the ninth century, a rebel without a cause, Omar Ben Hafsun , he defended himself and became great in his fortress of Bobastro by shaking the Caliph of Córdoba. It must have been quite hot, because in summer the sun seems to kill itself to heat the atmosphere in Ardales, north of Malaga. Too bad, at that time, there was no Conde del Guadalhorce reservoir , which in addition to irrigating the region that produces such good products and preventing flooding further south, is already one of the busiest inland beaches in Andalusia . Over there, a pair of pedal boats In the water, the hammock area and a small cove packed with towels make you feel in the heart of the Mediterranean, only with calmer waters. and without salt.
Surrounded by dry land where cereals grow and the blades of giant wind turbines turn, this refreshing space is a spectacular mountainous enclave that appears as if from nowhere in the Los Gaitanes Gorge Natural Park . And it has become a magnificent proposal to defend against the intense summer heat. Many prefer it to the Costa del Sol : Difficult to take a bath surrounded by so much nature and such a wild landscape. As if that were not enough, the Caminito del Rey is just a few minutes away, as well as very good walls to practice climbing. You can also visit the ruins of what was Bobastro and, by the way, find out who was one of the most interesting historical figures in Malaga who, yes, could not enjoy a beach next to his castle. The same there, between dips and refreshing local craft beers like Gaitanejo, he would have settled his disagreements with the Caliph, who also had to suffer from the Cordovan heat.
El Chorro Swamp
SAN NICOLÁS DEL PUERTO RIVER BEACH, SEVILLE
A small dam. Some grass. A couple of beach bars and a few umbrellas. That is enough to have the largest beach in Seville. And in the mountains. It is a river and it is in the Sierra Norte , almost in Extremadura, but it is the largest natural bathing area in the province and an absolute relief for those who live in one of the hottest areas of the country. It is the fluvial beach of San Nicolás del Puerto, whose inhabitants escape the heat in the cold and clean waters of the Galindón River as it passes through the municipality.
Presided over by a magnificent stone bridge, this giant natural pool becomes a great plan to enjoy in a family atmosphere. And, while it doesn't have waves, you can at least avoid coming home to the ubiquitous beach sand. Nearby, you can also enjoy pools and streams along the Hueznar River where you can also cool off, as well as the Cascadas del Huesna, a beautiful enclave from which you can follow one of the most beautiful greenways in Andalusia. A route on foot or by bicycle that runs along the same route as the old trains of the mine in the Iron Hill on his way to the foundry. With a previous bath, yes: there the sun seems to be closer than ever. Squeeze. And a lot.
River beach of San Nicolás del Puerto
**THE BEACH, ZAHARA DE LA SIERRA (CADIZ) **
He has the same name as paradise, but his last name gives him away. We are talking about Zahara de la Sierra, also in Cádiz. Perhaps it does not have beaches as spectacular as Zahara de los Atunes, but this beautiful white town does not lack arguments to be its competition when it comes to cooling off. Beneath the Nasrid settlement that stands out on the hill where its cobbled streets, alleys and Nasrid arches , there is a place with sand and umbrellas. With turquoise waters, calm and refreshing like themselves because the spring is just 200 meters from there. It's called La Playita and it's easy to feel in the countryside : orchards and fruit trees surround you a picture as unique as curious in full Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park . Its waters are those of the Arroyo de los Molinos, one of the many that flow into the Zahara-El Gastor reservoir, where there is a jetty and various water sports can be practiced. The offer is completed with an interesting beach bar, the swamp , very biker and a good place to approach the local gastronomy until the early hours of the interior of Cadiz.
If you have time, you can escape to La Garganta Verde , an impressive route along the Bocaleones river where you can practice canyoning and face waters so cold that even in summer everything will hurt (but it's worth it). And, if you dare, the area also hosts the Titán Sierra de Cádiz every September, a test that takes advantage of the waters of the reservoir and the wonderful surroundings to become one of the most interesting triathlons in southern Spain.
Zahara de la Sierra
**VALDEARENAS BEACH, IZNÁJAR (CÓRDOBA) **
The Genil River rises in Sierra Nevada. And, from there, it walks slowly through the Andalusian countryside to Seville, where it joins the Guadalquivir. To make better use of it, at the crossroads between Córdoba, Granada and Málaga, its waters accumulate to irrigate half of Andalusia in the Iznájar reservoir, which occupies almost the other half: it is the largest in the entire Andalusian community and the third in Spain. They call it the inner sea, lake of Andalusia and, no matter what you name it, the largest freshwater reserve in the south of Spain encourages you to take a dip between so many olive trees and dry land. It was inaugurated by Franco (who else) in the 1960s and the many families who saw how their farmhouses were under water had to change their cars for boats to move around their land. It has more than 100 kilometers of shore and it unites more than it separates, because both people from Cordoba, Granada and Malaga cool off there every summer on Valdearenas beach (with the same name as the one in Liencres, back in Piélagos, in Cantabria). Its kilometer and a half of clear, fine sand is a temptation and an absolute respite for the heart of Andalusia.
Also, there is a campsite, hotels and a wide range of active tourism by land, swamp and air : from hiking to paragliding through non-motorized water sports such as sailing or canoeing. You can also fish, a sport with many fans who have already caught too many catfish, those giant and invasive fish, between their hooks. The reservoir is dominated by Iznájar, which looks like an emerging island in the middle of the sea. A small charming town whose population is divided between the pretty town crowned by the castle of Hisn-Ashar and the 21 villages distributed by its municipal term . And it is that there they know how to enjoy the relaxation and calm of the rural environment. And when the heat hits, well, to the beach, that's why they have one.
Valdearenas beach
**TAMUJOSO BEACH, LA ENCINA BATHS (JAEN)**
Tamujoso beach is a truce in Jaén's battle against the sun. A well-deserved break for a population, that of Baños de la Encina and its surroundings, which coexists with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees throughout the summer . And a unique opportunity for a place that has in Almuñécar, more than 200 kilometers away, the closest sea shore. With slate soil and calm waters, this refreshing place is located in the Rumblar reservoir, north of Jaén. In addition to taking a few strokes, there you can fish, go kayaking or get on a boat and enjoy the views towards another sea: the one with olive trees that there are in many kilometers around. It also stands out in the rural skyline of the municipality the Burgalimar Castle , built in the 10th century and one of the oldest in Europe, the true protagonist of the marked medieval character of Baños de la Encina. At your feet, bikinis, towels, sun loungers and parasols on a mountainous coast where you can taste wonderful game meat.
A little further north are the Andújar and Despeñaperros Natural Park . And, surely, without knowing it, you have passed near there more than once and you did not know it. Or through some of the other eight authorized bathing areas that Jaén has, the province with the most inland beaches in Andalusia. Not even the Sierra Morena lynxes can complain about the heat.
Two seas: one of fresh water and the other of olive trees
**THE CELA RAFT, TÍJOLA (ALMERIA) **
With the beaches of Cabo de Gata as the main claim, you have to think hard to leave the clear waters of the wild coast of Almeria. But the experience of leaving the sea behind and entering the desert is worth it. Especially when you know that, beyond the boulevards, there is an oasis. It is in the neighborhood of Cela, the border between the municipalities and Lúcar and Tíjola, where there is a pool where you can cool off and, incidentally, improve your health: the waters that flow there have medicinal properties. It is an old trough now renovated with stairs and railings so that it becomes the main tourist focus of a region where there are no longer any sheriffs or bandits who rob stagecoaches. A square of 50 meters on each side that has aquagym classes in the mornings and night lighting in case the heat tightens. Its access is free and bathing there is a classic in the interior of Almería.
RULES AND BÉZNAR RESERVOIRS, GRANADA
In the background, Sierra Nevada and its white peaks. To the east, the entrance to the paradise of The Alpujarras of Granada . And, in the foreground, a surfboard at full speed on fresh water. Although the Costa Tropical is just a stone's throw away, the Rules dam has become one of the preferred enclaves for surf lovers in the area, who have Cadiz further away than expected and a spectacular constant wind throughout the summer in this swamp. The Granada Windsurf Sports Club has conditioned a space and even gives classes for beginners , although the waters are for public use. To navigate with a table you need permissions or all the power of Seprona will fall on you; and if you find it too messy, the club can manage them for you.
That's in summer, but if you want to keep surfing in winter, you're in luck: just 20 minutes away is the Béznar reservoir , where in the coldest seasons a steady wind blows, ideal for surfing. In both reservoirs you can also practice other non-motorized sports, such as paddle surfing, canoeing or kayaking, which are increasingly popular in these reservoirs. Bathing in Rules or Béznar is another story : the theory says yes, but the signs of prohibited the bathroom the opposite. So maybe forget about the bathroom and gallop through the Granada countryside on the back of your surfboard . Just in case.
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Rules Dam Surfing