Nature Route
Discover the natural beauty surrounding Loja along the River Genil. Tree-lined paths, rest areas and landscapes of great ecological value await you.
2-4 hours
Easy
The route, step by step
The surroundings of the río Genil (Genil river) as it flows through Loja.
Return along the same riverbank.
Out-and-back walk along the river, outside the monumental old town.
The only route that leaves the historic quarter and changes scenery: water, riverside vegetation and the valley landscape. There are no monuments to visit here — you just walk.
The flattest and most accessible route of them all: it follows the riverbank instead of climbing the hill. The difficulty depends mostly on how far you decide to extend the walk.
Great for families. Bring binoculars to spot waterfowl along the river.
Tips to do it right- •The best option with children or a stroller: no slopes from the old town here.
- •Bring water and a hat: the shade along the river is uneven.
- •Check the state of the riverside area before you go: there are works and interventions underway near the bridge and along the banks.
Stops:
Río Genil in Loja
Andalusia's second-longest river, which rises in Sierra Nevada, flows through Loja and has shaped its history: its banks were channelled with walls and rock breakwaters after historic floods, and today there is a project to renaturalise the riverside environment.
Following the river's course brings you to the historic crossing over the Genil.
Puente del Gran Capitán (Gran Capitán Bridge)
The historic bridge over the Genil, begun in 1490 — first in timber — and built in stone in the early 16th century to link the city with the San Francisco quarter.
From the bridge you head back along the riverbank towards the starting point.
River landscape and the Infiernos de Loja
Downstream from the old town, the Genil forms the Infiernos de Loja, a Natural Monument designated by the Junta de Andalucía and the most singular natural spot in the municipality.