Much of my time in this exceptional neck of the woods, has been spent hiking. I didn’t know there would be this much available. I have found a destination where I am virtually alone in the most amazing natural surroundings. The beautiful estuary hike in Tarifa is one such place.
Getting There
This is an easy place to find. Head down to the main beach, Playa Los Lances, and walk along the esplanade heading west. When you arrive at the small arena and football pitch, walk past on the wooden boardwalk. Keep walking until you have gone by the small parking lot and you will see a group of signs on a post.
From town, it takes me about ½ hour to reach this starting point walking at a brisk pace. This is the trail head for not only the Los Lances estuary and lagoon but also two larger hikes. In one direction you can hike the Sendero Europeo Sierras Mediterraneas and in the other Sendero Europeo Arco Atlantico. These are both big hikes that go along the coastline and cover several different countries.
Boardwalk
A large part of the initial portion of this hike is on a raised wooden boardwalk. This is to protect the fragile ecosystem below your feet. There are small signs here and there asking people to stay on the trail and not wander into the dunes.
Eventually, hikers will come to a section that is currently roped off and closed. You can make a choice here to walk on the sand beside the platform, or continue on, but be extremely careful of the loose and missing boards.
Inlet
There is one bridge on this hike and it crosses a beautiful inlet. Each time I pass there are varying levels of water here, depending on the tide.
Stop and have a look down, there are some huge fish that live in these shallow waters. Looking one direction will offer a gorgeous view of the beach and Atlantic Ocean and the other the mountain range that spans the coastline.
Perch
Walk far enough and you will arrive at a detour down to a larger building that I have nicknamed the perch. Here find protection from the wind and rain, and also several benches and stands to set up camera gear. Watch and see if you can find any of the local wildlife, especially the beautiful birds from the information stand.
Military Bunker
Another interesting sight along the way is the large military bunker. Hiking around this area, you may have noticed a lot of these hidden in the hillsides and bushes. This is the only one I have seen exposed like this and on the beach.
There is a trail, you can approach and explore to your hearts content. I can see that there were two stone structures built on either side and a well at one point too. One residence has collapsed but the other looks intact. I did not go inside; I was much too afraid but it is certainly an interesting abandoned structure to explore.
Flora
Now in the winter, there is not a whole lot of colour. Plants yes, but most look dried and just about dead. They are of course in their dormant state and will look completely different come spring time. Enjoy the tall grasses gently blowing, little flowers here and there, and birds darting through the air.
Don’t miss the millions of snails too. They will be out in force on days when the boardwalk is wet after a rainfall. If you are like me, and wont dare step on them, and will be hopping along like walking on eggshells.
No matter the weather, this is a beautiful hike. When you reach the end of the boardwalk, you can now decide to carry on a raw path in the sand. It passes by some farms where you can see cattle and chickens, very charming and quaint. Hike as little or as much as you wish here, the views are dazzling, the air clean and the wind exhilarating.
