The path of the Arroyo de la Ventilla is a feasible route for everyone with an approximate distance of 3 kilometres, moderate technical difficulty and outstanding beauty.
The path starts next to the fairgrounds. We go up the Panabarro road, which is asphalted, towards the gorge of the Arroyo de la Ventilla, one of the most outstanding spots in the province of Malaga.
We walk approximately 700 metres along the asphalted road, leaving behind us a steep slope until we reach the first fork which will lead us to a winding path leading to the bed of the stream.
Our steps along this path will take us to the Cañolillos fountain. This spring takes its name from the place where it is born. It is a spring that collects the waters of the Ronda depression to supply its flow first to the pool located next to the path, and then to irrigate the ancestral vegetable gardens that stretch along both sides of the gorge.
Although this spring exhausts its flow in the summer, it provides a vital source of water for the conservation of the plant and agricultural landscape of the Arriate municipality. A few metres further on, after passing the cañolillos fountain, we can observe one of the most characteristic and impressive panoramic views of the Arroyo de la Ventilla gorge.
In this panoramic view we can see the magical forest that develops next to the stream, made up of elms, willows, poplars, ash trees, walnut trees, etc. A few metres from the course of the stream we find the second fountain, very popular and known as the “Fuente de la Tejilla”, due to the fact that the water emanates through an Arab tile from deep in the earth.
This spring never dries up in any season of the year, thus maintaining the majestic riverside forest that grows in this area.
After crossing one of the bridges that make up the path we can see for the first time the bed of the Arroyo de la Ventilla, which stands out for its crystalline waters, synonymous with the great quality and conservation of this area.
In this area we can take our first rest and even the bravest can enjoy a swim in the icy waters of the stream.
After a brief stop we continue on our way and reach the second fork. If we continue along the path next to the stream we reach the source, also known as the “Puente de la Ventilla”, where we can see a bust of Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente on one of the ledges, but our route obliges us to cross the stream over the wooden bridge to the other side of the river. From here we have to overcome a significant slope and climb back up to an asphalted track.
During our ascent we arrive at a beautiful viewpoint, built by the Arriate workshop school, where we can see almost the entire gorge of the Arroyo de la Ventilla, as well as being a privileged place for birdwatching. Another element of great scenic value that we can see from this side of the stream is the so-called “Cueva del Vigía” (Watchman’s Cave).
We then descend along the lane, giving views of the Huerta María Nieves and we will come to a winding path that descends again to the bed of the Ventilla, where the “Molino Quemao” is located, nowadays better known as the “Molino Verde” (Green Mill).
The path of the Arroyo de la Ventilla runs through an area close to the town centre and along the way there are natural and ethnographic elements that bear witness to the importance of water throughout history. Along the way you can also see houses, mills (Molino Cantos, Molino de la Mirla, Molino Quemao and Molino Miramón), fountains, pools, etc… that show the perfect relationship established between man and the environment throughout the years…
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