Natural pool called Charco Azul near village of Genalguacil in Malaga

Charco Azul

Charco Azul is a natural pool and waterfall in the Arroyo del Quejigo which is one of the small stream tributaries to the Rio Genal. It is an isolated location and on most visits you will be alone you enjoy a swim (with or without swimming costume) in the crystal clear pool. There are two small (three metre) waterfalls cascading down eather side of a rock butress. The pool measures about 20m by 10m and is up to 3 metres deep. The Charco Azul takes its name from the clear waters and the blue grey colour of the exposed rock on one side of the pool.

From the Charco Azul you can follow the river upstream by finding a steep track on the right hand side of the Charco Azul and part hiking and part walking in the river after one kilometer passing some smaller waterfalls and some pools you will reach another charco and waterfall. this one is called the Charco Encanto it is about the sames size and features a large tree trunk that has fallen into pond.

You will need to return by the same path back to Charco Azul. You can retun by car the way you came and head back to Estepona or on the Genalguacil. Alternatively if you carry on along the track up the valley you will pass a few cottages, a goat farm and eventually reach Jubrique village.

Location

You can reach Charco Azul near Genalguacil from Estepona and the Costal del Sol by taking the MA-8301 road up to Peñas Blancas. At Peñas Blancas coll take the narrow windy MA-8304 down to Genalquacil. A few hundred metres after km 7 take a sharp right turn on to a track. It is unmade however it can be negotiated by ordinary car with care. After two km there is a sharp left hand 'U' bend and you will notice some large stone blocks have been placed on the outside of this corner. The road then decends sharply to a ford over the Arroyo del Quejigo. Park you car at the large stone blocks and walk into the woods where the Arroyo (stream) de Quejigo is, here you will find the Charco Azul.

You can reach Charco Azul from the Serranía de Ronda by taking the A-369 Ronda to Gaucin road. At the village of Algatocín turn onto the MA-8305 down to Venta San Juan crossing the Rio Genal and turning right on to MA-8304 through the village of Genalguacil. Continue up towards to Penas Blancas. A few hundred metres before km 7 take a left turn down onto a track. It is unmade however it can be negotiated by ordinary car with care. After 1.3 km there is a sharp left hand bend and you will notice some large stone blocks have been placed on the outside of this corner. The road then decends sharply to a ford over the Arroyo del Quejigo. Park you car at the large stone blocks and walk into the woods where the Arroyo (stream) de Quejigo is, here you will find the Charco Azul.

GPS: 36.533924 -5.1954880

Note: the Charco Azul is actually located just within the municipal boundary of Jubrique, however we include it in our Genalguacil section since it is much easier to access from Genalguacil - Peñas Blancars road. After visiting Charco Azul it is posible to continue along the track and after 4.3km you will reach the MA-8301 Jubrique to Penas Blancas road.