When summer comes, especially in the southern Spain, where the temperatures seem to try to break the thermometer, sometimes touching the highest extremes, the only thing you may desire to do is to immerse yourself into the waters of Mediterranean Sea. Keep in mind that the water is crystalline and not too cold, so the contrast between the water temperature and the environment does not cause you a shock when you enter to have a dip. Luckily, this wonderful land, Andalusia, has numerous natural places of singular beauty, where there are many opportunities to refresh and to relax. La Herradura, a small city on the Mediterranean coast in Granada province, is a perfect destination for all visitors who are looking for both rest as well as a little fun doing sports. Lets’ see our possibilities of adventure!
SURROUNDING THE COAST OF LA HERRADURA BY KAYAK
There are many options to rent a kayak on La Herradura beach, the companies are located along the seafront. However, specifically during the high season, the summer months, it is better to book in advance, since it could happen that you run out of the available kayaks. Many people love to spend a good time doing some sports, but the places are limited. The reservation can be made both with the guide service, and as in my friends and mine case, without the guide, because we already know the area. Really, do not worry if you cannot count on the service of the guide, since the route is easy. Just go towards the cliffs, and then skirt around them a bit, stopping to visit locations of incredible beauty, like, for instance, the small cove, where I love taking pictures next to a heart-shaped rock, which juts out above the sea. If you go further you will reach a wonderful area with the spectacular views of the high cliffs. I just feel so small by their side. They are really impressive.
Among the cliffs there is a grotto, where in the event that you come accompanied by more people, and everyone has a different kayak, you should not enter all at once, buy one by one to preserve the cuteness of this site, populated by the wonderful corals. What stands out mostly is its bright orange color and the contrast it makes with the waters of the Mediterranean Sea in the emerald hue. It is a spectacle of nature for your eyes. Surly you will love to contemplate the interior of the grotto. The corals are called Astroides calycularis, they are a group of polyps, that is, marine invertebrates in the shape of a tube closed at the lower end, by the area with which they are attached to the rocks, while at the upper end is opened and surrounded by tentacles. These corals are endemic to the western Mediterranean area, Also, next to the corals you can also find Actinia equine, or in other words, the Sea Tomatoes. These Tomatoes are really beautiful, with their cylindrical body and very intense shade of red, perhaps this bright color will warn you NO TO TOUCH THEM, since they can cause urticaria. Appreciate nature only with your eyes, but don’t come to close, it knows to defend itself.
DIVE INTO THE DEPTHS OF LA HERRADURA HISTORY
The seabed, which is situated between Punta de la Mona and Cerro Gordo, was declared in 1980 Natural Site by the Andalusian government, Junta de Andalucía. Due to this fact, many species are conserved, lots of them endemic, which are in danger of extinction. The rocky character of the seabed allows the exuberant development of fauna and flora, sometimes you may have the opportunity to appreciate the sympathetic dolphins that approach the coast with their curiosity. However, what is very interesting about the depths is the historical event that took place 1562. It was in this region where the 25 war galleons of the Spanish Crown, the House of Austria, under the command of Don Juan of Mendoza were shipwrecked due to the adversities of the weather. These ships as well as the shipwrecks of the Battle of Lepanto, which took place in 1571 between Spanish and Turkish troops, represent the worldwide exceptional sites. It is a magnificent opportunity to explore some of the galleons that date back to medieval ages. Don Juan of Mendoza on his way to Oran, the Algerian city, which was conquered by Spanish troops in 1509, made a stop near Malaga in order to meet Don Juan of Austria, before he left for Lepanto, who at that time was in the Sohail castle. Later, on his way to North Africa, Don Juan of Mendoza ordered to stop in La Haerradura, because the weather was getting worse. This area was frequently used by Berber pirtes for the same purpose. In the morning the situation worsened and the galleons were dragged, colliding with each other and with the cliffs, and sank. The historical sources point out more than 7000 mortal victims, whome Cervantes honors in Don Quijote. I suppose that this chilling story make you desire the site even greater.
TIPS:
- Book in advance your sport adventure trip, the places are limited.
- You don’t need to use a guide service for kayaking, the route isn’t too difficult.
- Maybe one day you can visit the Chillar River, it is close to La Herradura and a good place for hiking and swimming.
all about eve`s journeys 