Los Alamos Stream Path

On Avenida del Cortijo, between calle Jaén and Calahonda Hills, is Los Alamos stream, a green area that has recently been equipped with environmental notices and tree description signs by the Environment Department of Mijas Town Hall presenting the natural interest of the area. This stream is one of the few that still offers an ecosystem of great biodiversity, despite being immersed in a highly urbanised area. The native flora blends in with the ancient crops abandoned nowadays.

The path offers the walker the possibility of enjoying a pleasant walk parallel to the stream and uphill path, along a kilometre to the vicinity of the tunnel of the AP-7 motorway, in the vicinity of La Cortijada.

At the beginning of the path, what stands out most is the existence of some white poplars (Populus alba), that in this case are grand trees and some willow trees (Salix sp.), which shows us how this area must have been years ago. During the itinerary you can recognise many cork oaks (Quercus suber), of majestic appearance, which are still debarked for the exploitation of cork. Some of these trees have already been proposed for the Singular Trees Catalogue of Mijas. These are surrounded by wild olive trees (Olea europaea Sylvestris) and other shrubs such as mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus), myrtle (Myrtus communis), gorses and rockroses. Finally, in the last section, the resin pine tree (Pinus pinaster) prevails. This stream carries water all year round, which allows the growth of reeds (Arundo donax), brambles (Rubus ulmifolius), rushes (Scirpus holoschoenus) and cattails (Typha dominguensis) among the trees and offer shelter to many wild animals.

It is an ideal itinerary not only for a pleasant walk, but also a delight for butterfly and bird lovers, as it is very easy to see many different species through the dense vegetation all along the path. Also, it will not be difficult to observe many birds flying and singing during the walk.