Cueva de Hundidero & Embalse de Montejaque
Approaching the village from the Montecorto junction, the first point of note is the medieval bridge of Canada del Cupil. This once served an old cattle way that ran from Ronda to Seville. A Moorish lookout tower once stood on the hill above, but little of the tower remains.
The road leads to a steep curve left and below is an impressive site, of a large dam without a reservoir. Though some water collects in the winter. In theory it seemed a good idea, as the Rio Guaduares collects a lot of mountain water during the winter months and the river disappears at this point into a cave.
The natural water flow through the cave system was changed dramatically and unpredictably in 1920's with the construction of one of the first horseshoe shaped concrete wall dams in Spain. The Presa de los Caballeros (Dam) forms the Embalse de Montejaque (Montejaque reservoir) on the Rio Guaduares just upstream of the Cueva del Hundidero entrance. The dam was competed in 1927 but reservoir never fills due to seepage of water into the limestone rocks. The water reappeared inside the Hunidero-Gata cave system. Walkways, bridges and lighting were installed, some of which can still be seen by cavers today, to facilitate workers access for sealing openings with concrete. These construction workers were probably the first humans to fully traverse the 8km route between the two caves. The water sealing was without success and in the and early 1930's many international experts offered solutions. The Civil War stopped the project which was officially declared abandoned in 1944, the very year that the reservoir water reached 12m from the top of the dam. The useless and Civil Engineer's case study dam can be clearly seen today from the MA-8403. Today adventurous hikers do climb over the fence and ignore the warning signs the climb on the top of the dam for that special selfie now that Caminito del Rey has been rebuilt. Not to be outdone a tibetan style hanging walkway was constructed in 2024 across the face of the dam. Others just explore the reservoir bed which is usually dry. To reach the Cat Cave from Presa de los Caballeros it is necessaary to drive around the mountain via Montejaque and Benaojan.
A pathway leads down from the road to this grand folly of engineering and makes an interesting short walk. Nearby is the signpost to the entrance to the Cueva de Hundidero, which eventually connects to Cueva del Gato near Benaoján. Permits are required to enter the system, which sometimes involves swimming underwater. The water exits the mountain down by the railway line at El Gato (visible from the train and road). A number of hapless explorers have drowned in this system, due to unpredictable water levels, and it is not recommended to the novice.
El Gigante - Neolithic burial chamber
One of the mysteries of the area is the location of the dolmen El Gigante. Often pictured as a fine example of a Neolithic burial chamber, its location has remained a secret to the passing tourist. It sits on the north side of the reservoir and perhaps had it not been for the geological miscalculation, it might now be under water. Why this is not signposted remains a mystery, as the other 14 dolmens in the Ronda area are accessible one way or another.
Shrine to a bus accident
The next 1km stretch of road to the village clings to a cliff. As you curve steeply down with a drop on the right, a curious red lamp appears. This lamp is the site of and shrine to a horrific accident, when a coach went over the side killing a teacher and several school children. A memorial now marks the spot flowers are often laid on the anniversary of the accident. This is not a good spot to stop, but having found a place to park look across to what is a moonscape and an out of place concrete dam supporting a failed reservoir.
The Valley of the Republicans (Hacho)
The Hacho, at 1,075m above sea level, is the mountain peak that overshadows the pueblo with its white limestone slopes. To reach this area for a glimpse of the valley of the republicans, look for the Bar La Cabana and take the track up past the cemetery into the olive groves. Further effort will take you to the outcrop where a number of griffon vultures live during the summer. A climb up on the ridge offers a taste of bandit country and the Grazalema Naural Park. The walks can be taken around the peak or, for the adventurous, along a trail south to Jimera de Libar and Cortes de la Frontera.
