Living in La Alpujarra we are spoiled for beautiful picnic spots where the kids can kick off their shoes and run free for a while. Today we spent a peaceful and happy few hours messing about on the river. It’s half an hour from Granada and only five minutes from the motorway and, with plenty of shade, freshwater and a cool breeze from the river, it offers a welcome alternative to the beach or the pool in the heat of summer.
Fresh water, a cool breeze and exploration on the Rio Guadalfeo | GranadaSpain
We arrived a bit after midday and we had the place to ourselves for about two hours before anyone else arrived and it started to get busier. As the summer progresses I plan to visit in the mornings to take advantage of cooler temperatures and lack of people.
A few picnic tables are dotted about and there are some grilling stations if you fancy going the full monty with a BBQ. There are loos and also a kiosk, selling hot drinks, beers and ice creams, but don’t rely on this as it is not always open.
If a little bit of respite from the sun is what you are looking for, then this place really is a little haven. Eucalyptus and Poplar trees shimmer and sough in the breeze giving dappled shade and a dreamy soft light by the riverside.
Getting there
Take exit 175, for Órgiva and Vélez de Benaudalla, off the A-44/E-902 motorway which runs from Granada to the coast.
The road takes you down to the Reservoir, Embalse de Rules, where to turn left at the roundabout onto the A-346 (signs are for Vélez and Granada). The road then winds down below the dam to a bridge, which you cross, and to the junction for the N-323. Turn left in the direction of Motril.
The track is about 300m down the road on the right-hand side just before a sign for Rio Guadalfeo. Follow this dust track for approximately 1.5km and you will arrive at the picnic spot. The car park is well shaded, which is always a bonus.
Tips for messing about on the river
* The paddling potential is great in this spot and made even better if the kids have jellies or beach shoes.
* Avoid weekends or holidays as this area is very popular with the locals and can get packed.
* Avoid the summer crowds by getting there early in the day. You may find that you have the place to yourself until the afternoon.
Find more information on places to take the kids when in Granada here. We would love to hear from you if you visit the picnic spot and found this post useful. Please use the comments box below to let us know if there is anything that you would add.
This post is linked with the Coombe Mill #CountryKids linky. Click the badge for more outdoor fun with kids.
Location map
This map is zoomed in on the start of the track to the river. You can zoom out to get the bigger picture.
I love the rivers – we always visit Medellín (either before or after the busy summer months) – there’s something very relaxing about being beside a river.
Hi Sue,
We have been really enjoying the beach in May and June but it can get a bit knackering in mid summer, not to mention busy, and the river just seems to offer a different pace.
Best of both worlds, eh? Our nearest (sea) beach is about 300km away, so we use the lakes and reservoirs!
When you put it like that I realise that we really are spoilt for choice! Would love to come out your way to Extremadura one day.
If you’re ever heading over this way, let me know – I can advise you on some of the better (because they’re all good) places to see. Best to avoid the summer months – May/Jun and Sep/Oct are the best times to visit.
Thanks Sue x
We used to use the rivers in the Peak District when we lived in Nottingham. Love that whole concept of wild swimming. Lovely photos, Sophie.
Thanks Matthew. I am a little bit more conservative about wild swimming than I was in my ‘youth’. This place is lovely, the paddling just about the right speed for four-year-olds, and fresh water makes a nice change from the beach. I have seen some other posts recently about river walking in Andalucía and am feeling the urge to get out and explore some of these places.
Looks lovely and a great place to go to cool off a bit. Anywhere with a loo is a winner in my eyes 😉
Ha ha. A proper loo does help. This place is a little oasis in the hot Andalucían summer. I almost don’t want to tell anybody about it 😉
Thanks for visiting Debra.
Such gorgeous clear water! What a beautiful place! 🙂
It is not that difficult to find either. I couldn’t believe that we had the place to ourselves this last time.
What a beautiful place to live, lovely for your children to grow up able to paddle in places like that 🙂
I know. My little one doesn’t know how lucky she its. Oh, dear I am staring to sounds like someone’s Mum 😉 Thanks for visiting.
Looks like an amazing place to be able to spend time with the children. So clear and clean.
The water is lovely and the kids really enjoyed go off exploring… not too far though and me and my friend had the picnic.
How perfect for the children to explore and have fun in the water keeping cool. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
Thanks Fiona. The bonus about this place is that there is so much shade.
Look how clear that water is!
I know! Lovely, eh?
Looks wonderful, we keep talking with my parents about meeting them near to Granada and exploring the area there. They live nearer to Sevilla, so it takes about 3 hours to drive to Granada itself, which is somewhere I adore. #CountryKids
There are so many beautiful places to spend time in Granada province… but it is a little bit of a hike from Sevilla. Worth it!
Looks fantastic Sophie. Definitely one to bookmark!!
Thanks John. I really liked your post about walking in the Rio Chillar. It’s on my list!
Give us a call if you are ever in the area. We know some great places for kids around Malaga. One river walk that is high on our list and closer to you, is the river in Durcal. Andalucia is a paradise….so much choice 🙂
Thanks, we will knock-you-up if we are in the area 🙂
I think that I know the walk in Durcal. It ends with a fabulous waterfall (if we are talking about the same one). We went a while ago with friends way back when my little one was littler and I wasn’t obsessively photographing and documenting everything we did and place that we went to.
What an awesome place! The water is SO clear!! I would want to go here but its too far. YOu have an awesome photos tho thanks for sharing =) #countrykids
Thanks. We are lucky to have this so close by. Thanks for visiting.