Vélez de Benaudalla: Presa de Rules

This varied hike starts just outside Vélez de Benaudalla and immediately takes us into the surrounding landscape, following the river that guides us throughout the route. Vélez lies at the foot of the Sierra de Lújar and has a strong Moorish heritage, still reflected in the wider area through old water systems and agricultural landscapes.

We follow the river through the Guadalfeo valley, where open sections and narrower river passages alternate. The water and surrounding mountains constantly shape the scenery, with beautiful views of rugged hills and surrounding ravines. The river acts as a natural guide throughout the hike.

The highlight of the route is the impressive Rules dam, which we admire from below. This dam holds back the waters of the Río Guadalfeo, forming the large Embalse de Rules reservoir, an important water source for the region. The scale of the structure, combined with the surrounding mountain walls, makes for a striking final destination. After a break, we return via the same route.