Walking in Andalucia
Please remember it gets hot here, so take plenty of water and sun cream even in winter.
Walk near Torremolinos
Location: Torremolinos/Alhaurin de la Torre
startpoint: Alhaurin de la Torre
length: 4 miles
walk difficulty: Moderate
comments: Monte Palomas is your goal
Distance 7 km. (4 miles) in total.
Height gained: 400 metres, approx.
Difficulty: easy to average; steep in places but never dangerous
Time: 3 hours there and back
Monte Palomas is the big mountain behind Torremolinos. From the Torremolinos side it looks rather bare, hardly surpising since it is blasted by the sun and sea air all day long. The other side of the mountain is totally different: here you will find an idyllic mountain scene: in spring the variety of flowers is amazing. From the top you are rewarded with an excellent view of the bay of Malaga and on a clear day in "winter" (there is no winter as we know it) you can see many mountains in the province of Granada . There are also good views of Torremolinos and Benalmadena. You are very unlikely to get lost on this walk.
How to get there by car or taxi: Take the A-366 road (also called C344) from Malaga and pass the big roundabout near Churriana and then continue straight ahead towards Alhaurin de la Torre. Pass various new housing areas: a little before you reach the centre of Alhaurin de la Torre when the restaurant Venta del Aleman is seen on your right, turn to the left taking a road in the middle of which are palm trees until (just after the bar Casa Paca) you take another road which forks off to your right at a roundabout. This road follows the line of the electric cables between cypresses, orange trees, and avocados. After following this road for 1 km you arrive at a small bridge over the arroyo (stream) Zambrano. The starting point is at 185m altitude next to a fig tree with lots of branches. There is always space for parking here and the path starts between the wall of a house on the left and an olive grove and the stream on the right. The stream is notable for its lack of water: it is nevertheless an attractive place. You can also get a bus to Alhaurin de la Torre (the Malaga to Coin bus) but do bear in mind that the walk does not start in the centre of the village. Getting the bus would add another 2 miles or so to the walk.
After about 300 yards you arrive at a wood of pine trees. Passing through this wood the path follows the left bank of the stream (right bank as you ascend): you are now 1km from the start of the walk. Then we change to the other side of the stream between pine trees, white rock rose, gorse, rosemary, spurge flax, sarsaparilla, etc. At 1.5 km you will pass a stone wall, formerly a sheepfold, opposite a small stream and you cross again to the left bank of the arroyo Zambrano. You continue among palm hearts, kermes oak, wild asparagus and wild olive trees. Eventually you'll pass a "stream" joining the main stream from the left with marble "steps" which form a waterfall on the rare occasions when it rains. The path does a zigzag, beneath a rocky crag from which you'll have a good view of the Guadalhorce valley. At 500m height and 3 km from the point of departure you arrive at the Puerto del Canuto, a mountain pass amidst a thicket of rosemary etc. From here three paths lead off: the right one to the north goes to the cable car station above Benalmadena eventually, the path going downhill to the south terminates in Torremolinos. The path which goes up to the south east, on our left, goes to the summit of Monte Palomas. First it winds steeply then levelling out to the trig point at 598m and 3.5 km from the start. You return the same way that you came.
Mijas short walk
Start point Mijas
Length 3km (2 miles)
Difficulty: Easy and short but steep
Height gained: no more than 200 metres
You can get a bus or train to Fuengirola and from the bus station in Fuengirola - buses leave half hourly for the 15 minute journey to Mijas. A walk around Mijas itself is very rewarding, especially in the area of the park near the bullring. From the Costa del Sol resorts Mijas is the most easily accessible pueblo blanco or white village. For this walk, however, make your way to the highest point in the village: leaving the "Mirador de Mijas" car park at about 100 yards to the left you will find a stone wall with a sign for the "Ermita del Calvario." Follow the signs and crosses (stations of the cross) to the top of the village and cross the main road which skirts the top of the village and locate the little path diagonally opposite which zigzags up to the "ermita" or pilgrimage chapel not very far above. Return the same way. The ermita, which once served as a retreat for Carmelite monks and was built in 1710 , can be seen from many places in Mijas and offers an excellent view of a long stretch of the coast .
Montes de Malaga walk
Location: north of Malaga
Length: 10 kilometres or less
Difficulty: easy
Height gained: 400 metres
By car take the motorway out of Malaga going towards Granada and Sevilla. After only a few miles, perhaps 2, follow the exit and signs for the Jardin Botanico: this takes you to the other side of the motorway. At the little roundabout turn left again following signs for the Jardin Botanico. Not far from the Botanical Garden entrance you will find a small tunnel taking you back to the side of the motorway you started from: go through here and cross the road on the other side of the tunnel. Park the car and keep walking in the same direction you were driving. This area is called San Telmo and you can also get the no. 61 bus to the Jardin Botanico from Malaga (Alameda Principal) from 10 in the morning till 6.30 pm. First you walk past a few houses and soon come to a large gate giving access to the Montes de Malaga. The gate is nearly always locked but a little gate at the side is open for pedestrians. Go through here and just keep walking until you want to return. Always keep to the main path when the path forks and always walk upwards. You will pass a ruined farm house on your right and after about 3.5 kilometres you will see a bird sanctuary with vultures in cages. You are now not far from the main road through the Montes de Malaga and might be able to here an occasional car. Continue along the now very wide path to the road: on the far side is a cafe. Return by the same route. On Sundays there are always quite a few mountain bikers on this route: they are always courteous and often will greet you with a "Hola" as they pass but the ones going downhill will be going at speed. During the week the path is much quieter.
Rio Chillar walk (near Nerja)
location: Near Nerja
start point: Nerja
length: between 2 and 5 miles
walk difficulty: Moderate
comments: The Chillar River (Rio Chillar)
Walking is not possible from the end of May to the beginning of September in southern Spain . This walk is one of the few exceptions: it is best in June, July and August, because you walk along a cool river bed in a narrow, shady canyon. Unlike many Andalusian rivers, this one has water, at least from the “fabrica de luz” (a very small hydroelectric station). Obviously you have absolutely no chance of ending the walk with dry feet. Wear old trainers and shorts. A walking stick is very useful, as the river bed is stony. In places the canyon is so narrow that you can touch both sides at the same time. The flora and fauna are not at all typical of southern Spain . You will see a variety of ferns and other shade-loving plants and beautiful butterflies and dragon flies. The walk is easy but the stones in the river might make it a bit more difficult for some people, especially children. In places you can swim in shallow pools, so take a towel.
How to get there: Nerja is accessible from Malaga by bus. You can get to the river via calle Julio Romero de Torres, then turn left into calle Solana and finally go right in to Picasso, one of the streets above the Municipal Sports Centre, leading to a broad track which descends to the river bed. You can also get to the river from El Playazo Beach. If you take the latter route (which is longer) keep on the right hand side of the river (when facing the mountains). Following the unsurfaced track which follows the banks of the river Chíllar you will arrive at the confluence with the river Higuerón (which forks off to the left). Continuing on the right hand side of river, you eventually reach a small cement works and from this point the river bed narrows. You go this far by car (and perhaps a little further) but you must park the car before you reach the little hydroelectrical station. If the water in the river has dried up, don’t worry, there will be water above the hydroelectrical station.
From here you have to continue on foot. The first few yards (3 or 4) are steep and sometimes slippery as you navigate a ramp up to the real start of the walk. The walk gets better and better from her on. No description is needed: you could not possibly get lost from this point onwards. How far you go is up to you. You can continue for a few miles but the going is slow.
Walk on beach near Tarifa
location: Tarifa, Cadiz province: this is the Atlantic coast of Spain
start point: Playa de Valdevaqueros, near Tarifa
length: 6 miles each way or shorter
walk difficulty: Easy but not if you attempt the whole walk, because its very long and you wont want to rush.
This is not Spain , it is paradise, miles of golden sands and not a hotel or parasol in sight. And if you make it to the end of the walk, you are rewarded with the beautiful ruins of an ancient Roman town. From Tarifa you can see the Rif mountains in Africa just 9 miles away. Please dont do this walk, leave it for me. Valdevaqueros Bay is very popular with kitesurfers and there are a couple of camp sites nearby. But this a a vast area of beach and it could never get crowded. You start from Playa de Valdevaqueros, which is just east of Punta Paloma: follow the coast road from Tarifa in the direction of Cadiz for a few miles to Kilometre 74 and turn left down the lane towards Camping Paloma. Pass the camp site and take a left turning a few hundred yards later. This soon leads you down to the beach. There is plenty of parking space. Walk to the right, away from Tarifa. Turn back when you have had enough. The Roman ruins are at a little place called El Lentiscal. If you dont walk all the way, you can get to El Lentiscal by car too: when you get there turn right by the beach to get to Claudia Baela, the Roman town.
Pico de Vilo walk
location: Alfarnate in Malaga province
starting point: Alfarnate
length: 11.2 km
walk difficulty: Moderate
comments: El Pico de Vilo is one of the lower peaks near the village of Alfarnate Distance: 11.5 Km. in total
Suitable for any average walker with a little experience.
Time: 4 hours
Height gained: 500 metres approx.
Alfarnate is a typical Spanish village in a delightful location which has really not been touched by tourism. This is a linear walk starting and ending in the village. There are very good views throughout. How to get there: Alfarnate is really only accessible by car. Take the motorway going north from Malaga. When you reach Casabermeja, leave the motorway and follow signs for Rio Gordo and Alfarnate.
The Walk
1. Start from the municipal sportsground (signed “Polideportivo” from the centre of the village) on the southern edge of the village and close to the mountain. Walk towards the Pico de Vilo mountain along an unsurfaced stony road which is wide enough to drive along in a car. As the path zigzags up the mountain you will have excellent views of Alfarnate in the wide valley below. From time to time you will see the TV tower on the shoulder of the hill in front of you.
2. When you reach the TV tower, follow the main path round to the left. Gradually climbing parallel to the mountain ridge. On your right you will have spectacular views of the mountains south of Villanueva del Rosario, although the village itself is concealed behind the mountains. Even more impressive are the views of the Tajo del Fraile, Gómer and Doña Ana. You follow the main path practically to the end. Eventually Alfarnatejo village comes into sight far below on the right.
3. When you have walked more than 3 km (2 miles) you reach a much narrower path climbing up the hillside to the left. The main path leads down to a farm from here. Our path soon leads through pine woods and when you reach the ridge, you will see a circular threshing area made from stones, “era” in Spanish. From this point on the ridge the path leads upwards towards the right, or generally south. A hundred yards after the threshing area you reach a fence, which you cross and follow the line of another fence on your right. The path is sometimes a little indistinct but you are always going uphill. Eventually you emerge from the wood. From this point you can see the highest point of El Pico de Vilo and you make for that. You are now in a wide open area and it is clearly possible to find your own path without any danger of getting lost. There are one or two signs indicating where the path is but do not worry if you miss them, you cannot get lost if you bear in mind that you are always heading for the highest ground. Soon you will see another TV or radio mast on the highest point of the Pico. Head towards this and enjoy the view across the valleys over towards Lake Viñuela and in the distance the sea. The return route is the same as the ascent.
