THE RESERVOIR OF THE COUNT OF GUADALHORCE, ALONG WITH ITS EXUBERANT SURROUNDINGS, IS POPULARLY KNOWN AS EL CHORRO. AN AREA SEQUESTERED AMONG MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS, BETWEEN NATURAL AND HUMAN MADE WALLS, SURROUNDED FROM NORTH TO SOUTH BY NATURE, SPORTS AND HISTORY.

It could be said that this is the story of a kidnapping. The story of an abduction by man a century ago, at the beginning of the 20th century. Spain, and most of all Andalusia, had great problems with drinking water supplies back then.

The scarce rains that annually fell in the south of the peninsula were lost due to lack of reservoirs. Málaga, as other provinces, was thirsty. The government, given this situation, ordered dams to be built throughout the country.
The infrastructure officers searched through several areas in Málaga for the ideal place for abducting the waters from a large river. The Guadalhorce, given its abundant flow and location, was chosen. The place was perfect: halfway between the valley of the same name, the Ronda mountains and the Torcal of Antequera. There, the waters of this river and the Turon river could provide a good water reserve for human consumption and for watering. The famous engineer Rafael Benjumea, count of Guadalhorce, set himself to direct such an important project. He worked so much and so efficiently, that he ended up lending his name to his creation.
The reservoir was inaugurated by King Alfonso XII himself. This was a great event in the life of the locals. In oder to prepare for such and honourable visit, workers fixed paths and lanes and the famous "king's chair" was built, where the monarch sat to rest. It was back then that one of Málaga's most spectacular works was built, the famous "King's path" in the Gaitanes Pass. This path winds around the natural defile and was conceived so that the train would reach Málaga from here.
In the 60's, when Franco's "reservoir fever" was in full blast, two new dams were built in the area, and the Guadalteba river was the liquid victim. This immense water deposit ended up being known as The Three Lakes.
El Chorro is a paradise of fauna, trees, sports and history, thus it has become one of the most beautiful and popular reservoirs of Andalusia. The proximity of places such as the Bobastro Ruins, the Ardales Cave or the Gaitanes Pass irself just increase its own wonderful heritage. Sports fishing (carp, barbell and trouts swim on the murky bottom of the dam), climbing (the vertical walls up to 400 metres) and trekking or mountain-biking (under the shade of the pine trees, holm oaks and eucalyptus), are all greatly practised.
But if you seek tranquility, El Chorro is a unique place, where the birdsong, the whispering of the water and shooting stars are still easily found.

Useful information

How to get there: From the central train station in Málaga to El Chorro. By car, on the road to Cártama and then take the turning to Alora.

Where to slepp: There ia a camping ground at the reservoir itself. There are also many rural houses to choose from in the surrounding area.

What to see: The "king's chair" built for Alfonso XII when he inaugurated the reservoir; the Ardales Cave, with over 1.5 kms. to be visited and cave paintings over 20.000 years old (restricted entrance); the Bobastro ruins, an interesting archaeological site as it contains a unique Mozarab church and it represents all that is left of the mythical reign of Omar Ben Hafsun; the Gaitanes Pass, an impressive natural corridor with abundant birdlife. Over this Pass hangs the famous "King's path", which is currently under reform due to the frequent accidents.