circular walks

Canillas de Albaida – Cortijo Llands/Parrilla, return, 10K/3H Suggested starting point: The central Square in Canillas de Albaida where there is a bus stop and parking. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Puerto de Colado - Casa Mina – 2 ventas-Cruz de Canillas (return) 14K/4H Suggested starting point: Puerto de Colado; a windling road from Cómpeta takes you to this grand view point where you can park easily. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Fábrica de la Luz return, 15K/4H (8, 8alt,7a on map) Suggested starting point: Fábrica de la Luz a short distance from Canillas de Albaida where there is a spacious parking area. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Fábrica de la Luz, 11K/3H (7a, 7b on map) Suggested starting point: Fábrica de la Luz a short distance from Canillas de Albaida where there is a spacious parking area. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Helicopter platform – Casa Mina – Cerro Verde – Acebuchal – helicopter platform 19K/6H The suggested starting point is a Helicopter platform alongside the road between Cómpeta and Torrox located approximately 7K from Cómpeta. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Cuevas de Nerja - Cortíjo de Almácan, return, 13K/4H (22 on map) The suggested starting point is the parking area at Cuevas de Nerja. An adjacent visit to the caves can be recommended. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Frigiliana, 17K/6H (16 on map) Starting point: Frigiliana village center; Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Salares – Ruta de Puente Árabe, 7K/2,5H Starting point; Salares; Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Canillas de Albaida – Archez – Corumbela – Sayalonga (16K) - Cómpeta – Canillas de Albaida, 22K/5,5H) Suggested starting point: The central Square in Canillas de Albaida where there is a bus stop and parking, but the walk could also start from any of the villages along the route. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Canillas de Albaida – Archez – Corumbela – Sayalonga – Algarrobo – Torrox – Rio Torrox - Cómpeta – Canillas de Albaida, 55K/2 days. Suggested starting point: The central Square in Canillas de Albaida where there is a bus stop and parking, but the walk could also start from any of the villages along the route. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Puerto Blanquillo – Puerto Cómpeta – Puerto Llano – Lucero, return, 10K/3,5H Suggested starting point: Puerto Blanquillo; a windling road from Cómpeta takes you to this grand mountain gate where you can park along the road. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Four ventas-Cerro Verde, 9,5K/3H Suggested starting point: Continue pass Puerto de Colado (walk A2 parking) towards Cruz de Canillas along the windling and narrow road from Cómpeta where you can park along the road (check waypoint). The trip gives you wonderful views over the valleys and mountain tops. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Sayalonga-Corumbela-Arenas, 19K/5H Suggested starting point: Sayalonga parking place by the main road. The trip takes you up and down the valleys between the three villages passing beautiful views and small idyllic farms along mostly dirt roads. The last part of the return takes you along the river bed of Rio Algarrobo and through an avocado farm before joining the outbound road. If there is too much water in the river or you want to avoid the avocado farm (no fences or houses there) continue along the main road back to Sayalonga. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Lake Vinuela, 21K/4H Suggested starting point: Parking next to hotel La Vinuela. The lake is man-made reservoir with several picnic areas and has a magnificent backdrop, La Maroma (2068m), the highest mountain in Axarquia. It is an easy and flat walk with beautiful views over the lake and the surrounding mountain tops. The only drawback is that 3K in the end is along the main road (A-356) which unfortunately can't be avoided. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Comares, La Teja, 12K/3H Suggested starting point: Parking place just outside Comares. Comares (Arabic Castle in the height) is an old beautiful white washed town on 700 m above sea level. It is situated 24K from Velez Malaga. It has been an important defensive bastion due to its strategic position. The walk La Teja is part of the balcony walks around Comares and the background is of course the fantastic views over the surrounding area. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Alcaucin, 10K/3½H Suggested starting point: Parking place in Alcaucin close to the main square. The first 3K through the pine forest is shaded and also steep but the climb is worthwhile coming up to the fantastic views. The path is old and solid partly overgrown but you can’t miss it. To the west, north of La Vinuela lake you can see the valley between two hilltops called Lomos de las Monjas (backside of the nuns). Once reaching the top it is an easy way back partly on an old path and partly dirt road and in the end through an old olive grove with a nice view of the reservoir (Lake Vinuela) before reaching Alcaucin. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Cerro Verde, 11K/4h Suggested starting point: Fabrica de La Luz (outside Canillas de Albaida). The first part of this circular walk is following the valley upto Puerto Blanquillo when it turns back over Cerro Verde. This part has beautiful views and the path is quite narrow and partly slippery over the top so be careful. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Casa La Mina from Competa, 8K/2½h Suggested starting point: Football field outside Competa. It is a steep climb up to the football field from Competa and after that mostly dirt roads except for a short narrow path down to Casa de la Mina. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Cajula river from Canillas de Albaida, 8K/2½h Suggested starting point: Busstop Canillas de Albaida. Short circular walk up the mountain and down along river Cajula to Puente Romano. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Loma de la Fuente from Sedella, 10K/4h Suggested starting point: Sedella small parking behind the church (Ermita) Start in Sedella. The first half is a long uphill stretch. The second half starts with a very steep downhill part covering a firebreak and an access road after that it is an easy path back to Sedella. Long trousers is recommended. However the route has very nice views and includes a Roman bridge and two cortijo ruins. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Competa - Rio Güi, 12K/3h Suggested starting point: Intersection Competa and start of the Torrox road Nice walk on the Torrox side from Competa down to the river Güi and back. Mostly dirt roads with nice views over the valley down to the sea. You can easily continue down to the coast and El Morche on these tracks (15K one way from Competa). Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Canillas de Albaida-Salares return, 12K/4h Suggested starting point: Parking available at El Molino close to the Roman Bridge beneath Canillas de Albaida. Nice walk from Canillas de Albaida up along river Cájula to Fogarate. follows GR249. From Casa de Jaro the path is very beautiful down to Salares. Don't forget to turn of GR249 before you reach Salares. A long uphill stretch follows back to Fogarate and Canillas. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

La Isleta del Moro, 17K/6H Suggested starting point: Parking place in Isleta del Moro. The walk starts in Isleta del Moro and take the route straight up to the peak of Penones and Caldera Majada redonda back to the coast and Los Escullos and then to La Isleta. After the Cerro Penones (488m) and the radar mast, the path is unmarked, narrow and follow the ridge. At the end of the ridge there is a very steep and hazardous unmarked trail down to the valley. After a couple of 100 meters there is a clear path that takes you to a dry riverbed and after that it will be a smooth and easy walk down to Los Escullos. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

San José beaches, 13K/6H Suggested starting point: Parking place along the road towards Playa de Los Genoveses. The walk starts in the outskirts of San José the “capital” of Cabo de Gata. The large and famous playa de Los Genoveses (2K long) is soon to be seen and almost directly the route turns off to the inland and a walk around the hills to be seen in the distance. This part of the walk is completely flat until you reach Playa De La Media Luna a small beach. Climb the hill ahead of you and see the spectacular view of the cliffs below. Now the walk return but along the hilly coastline and the beaches Play de La Media Luna, Playa del Mónsul, Playa del Baronal etc. The walk is quite steep and if you have problems with heights it is not for you. The hills are not very high max 100m but there are several of them along the coast. The path is partly marked (blue/white) but mostly not, so it is a little bit tricky from time to time to find the most convenient track. The views are spectacular and remember to bring your swim suite. There are several caves to explore along the track. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Melegis, 14K/5H Suggested starting point: Parking place outside Hostal Los Naranjos. The walk starts from the Hostal Los Naranjos, which is a perfect place to stay for a couple of nights. It is also a very convenient starting point for several of the walks in the Lacrin Valley. The Hostal has a good restaurant and half pension is a price worthy alternative for the stay. The walk starts in the town Restobal 700m along the main road and follows Río Dúrcal o Ízbor up to Cónchal. The views are magnificent and the path is mostly in good condition however not very well marked. In Cónchal there is only one restaurant La Huertecilla suitable for lunch or refreshments. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Moclín ruta Gollizno, 8K/3½h Suggested starting point: Parking along street entering Moclin. Beautiful walk around the historic city of Moclin. Quite strenuous with a drop from over 1,000m down to the valley and Olivares 650m and back up along river Velillos. The path is well maintained and technically not difficult. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.

Monachil and Los Cahorros, 9K/3h Suggested starting point: Parking along street close to bridge. Circular walk from Monachil along the river and return high over Los Cahorros. The first part follow closely the river Monachil and with quite narrow passages where there is a need to use metal handles to pass the cliffs. Includes a couple of suspension bridges. Altogether could be quite adventurous for some but never dangerous. Path is well maintained. The return over Los Cahorrosis is very beautiful and easy walking on dirt roads with nice views over the valley and cliffs below. Click on the photo to see more pics from this walk.