Otivar river valley

A steep descent on one of the ancient mule trails through the cherimoya orchards directly below the town. Ford the river (a small trickle in summer months) and follow the tranquil valley for about half a kilometer before returning on a steep mule track up to the town with fantastic views across to the Palacete and the mountains.

Start the walk in Otivar town square. Otivar can be reached by bus from Almunecar. Find the square in Otivar below the church on the left hand side as you walk into town.

At the left hand side of the square below the church a track descends between high walls. This is the way down to the river valley below. The cobbled mule track zig zags down hill between orchards, some walled in, and some open to views. As the path levels off at the bottom you will cross a field and come to the waters edge. After rains in the autumn and winter the river may be too full to cross – if so retrace your steps, but if it is shallow ford the river here and pick up the track on the other side going inland, up-stream – turning right. Various roads head off up hill from this river bed, but follow the river and you will find yourself in a charming watery world, cool and damp with birds all around. Eventually the river bed opens out and you will re-cross the river to the right hand bank by another ford. At this point look to your right, slightly hidden and back in the direction of Otivar is a route back up the hill that starts climbing immediately. The other more obvious route goes more gently uphill and eventually takes you via the River Lentegi valley up to the Palacete de Cazulas and the main road. The route back to Otivar climbs again in zig zags upwards away from the river and back to the town. It is a steep but wide track and you are almost sure of meeting mules, farmers and people going up this way. The path emerges into the streets of Otivar and you need to follow the streets by turning right in order to get back to the square where you began.
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