Yesterday we had considered taking a diversion into Santo Domingo in order to visit an impressive gorge.  But due to the poor weather forecast we didn’t really want to prologue our stage. 

So we hatched another plan to visit the Gorge before setting off from Santo Domingo this morning.  I asked our charming Friar if we could leave our packs at the albergue and collect them after our trip and he said there was no problem. 

So we retraced our steps through the arch in the city walls and made a right turn alongside the Rio Mataviejas and followed a lovely path that eventually led to the start of the Yecla Gorge walk (Desfiladero de la Yecla). It was a bit like a poor but close relation to the Caminito del Rey near Málaga. 

We were very glad not to be carrying our packs as there were many places where there cliff face jutted into the narrow path and it was a bit of a squeeze. Also it might be a problem if you were on the portly side. The walkways cling to rock face with the river gushing deep down below and vultures soaring high above. It was quite the experience. 

We had been assured that it wasn’t a one-way trail but it would be an issue if you met people coming the other way. In the event, being early we didn’t see anyone else and when we reached the end of the walkway we about turned and retraced our steps. 

A round trip of 7 km and a most enjoyable diversion.