Andalusian Trails: Villages, Vines & Coastlines

Andalusian Trails:

Villages, Vines & Coastlines

Join us for our Spain walking days, designed for individuals, couples or groups alike with good/average walking fitness and ability. There's no need to worry about the pace, as we tailor it to suit all group members each day.

Expect walks of around 12-18 km in length, featuring varied elevation to keep your legs engaged. After a day of exploration, enjoy delicious tapas and a glass of wine in the evening! I have tried and tested these routes, visited all the areas, stayed in this wonderful location, and of course, tasted all the tapas to ensure you will be getting the best quality!

Why Spain?

My connection to Spain runs deep. In my younger years, I spent countless days exploring its landscapes, hiking trails, and climbing 2000-metre peaks with my dad and our dog. That’s where my love for the mountains began. Over the past 20 years, I’ve returned to Spain twice yearly, and I speak a good bit of Spanish. Now, I’m excited to share that passion by offering guided walks for you with an experienced walk leader in the area. Phil is a qualified and expereineced mountain and lowland leader operating in the beautiful Andalucian outback. He has extensive knowledge of the area and is a trusted friend having spent many an adventure on the Spanish trails in and around Malaga.

About the trip;

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Thursday - Your arrival

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Induction to tapas!

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We offer free collection from Malaga airport and run two journeys on the arrival day. We try to operate these with your flight times and generally have a mid-morning and mid-afternoon collection. Some participants like to arrive a few days earlier and explore the local area. Nerja makes for a great stay with its typical Andalusian food and drink, nightlife and spectacular beaches. Collection can be arranged locally.

If you cannot join us on one of our collections, then there are taxis/buses that operate from Malaga Airport to Nerja.

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If possible then we do like to meet up for a tapas and drinks in the afternoon so that everyone can get to know each other over a cafe con leche or a local cerveza, and we can run through the itinerary for the weekend.

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Friday - Archez

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Upper Axarquía Valley Circular Walk

A beautiful circular walk linking the historic towns and villages of the Upper Axarquía Valley.

This fascinating day follows old trading routes once used by the Romans and Moors, weaving together history, mountain scenery, whitewashed villages and a well-earned tapas stop.

Highlights include:

Canillas de Albaida, the Roman path and bridge

Acequias (traditional irrigation channels)

Árchez and its striking Mudéjar minaret

Cómpeta and the 16th-century church in the plaza

Tapas and refreshments in Cómpeta

Ancient trading routes through the valley

Travel time: 50 minutes

Distance: 18 km

Ascent: 850 m

Walk duration: 7 hours

Saturday - Cruz de Pinto

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Frigiliana & Sierra de Almijara Circular Walk

Set within the beautiful Sierra de Almijara Natural Park, just a short distance from the coast, this circular walk explores the edge of the Almijara mountains with sweeping coastal views throughout.

Starting from Frigiliana, the route follows a scenic spur up to the Cruz de Pinto monument, offering impressive views both out to the Mediterranean and deep into the natural park.

Highlights include:

A walk through the old quarter of Frigiliana

Following the Río Higuerón

Ascent through pine forest

Expansive views towards the coast and Natural Park

A short section through the natural gorge of the Río Higuerón

Tapas and refreshments in Frigiliana

Travel time: 15 minutes each way

Distance: 12 km

Ascent: 550 m

Walk duration: 5 hours

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Sunday -  The Watchtowers

Maro–Cerro Gordo Coastal Walk

A scenic linear walk through the coastal natural park of Maro–Cerro Gordo, following a beautiful shoreline path that links historic watchtowers and hidden coves.

The route passes a series of quiet beaches and rugged cliffs before finishing at the lively seaside town of La Herradura.

Highlights include:

El Cañuelo and Cantarriján beaches

A picturesque path between secluded coves

The Caleta and Cerro Gordo watchtowers

Opportunity for a swim in the sea

Walking above the dramatic Cerro Gordo cliffs

Expansive coastal views

Refreshments at La Herradura

Travel time: 20 minutes each way

Distance: 11 km

Ascent: 480 m

Walk duration: 5 hours

Monday - lazy breakfast in the sun

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A lazy morning on the breakfast terrace, reminisce over the last few days with like minded folks. Then your onward journey.

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Or extend your trip with sightseeing around the city of Malaga or nearby. 

FAQ'S;

How do I pay?

You will be required to pay a deposit and settle the balance as soon as possible. You will make a payment to Andalucia On Foot who is our tour organiser.

Deposit £100pp

Based on a couple sharing double room £635 per person

Single room booking £675 per person

LINK TO BOOK

(this link takes you to an external website)

Who is the tour operator?

Andalucía On Foot is run by Phil Mills. His love of walking began in the Black Mountains in the 1980s and later took him across the UK and to the Pyrenees before I moved to Spain in 2013. From his base near Málaga, he has been guiding and developing walking routes across Andalucía since 2014. I met Phil through my love of Andalucia online when our 'Spanish paths' crossed through a photo of my beloved La Maroma, my first BIG summit in Spain. We share the love for the same trails and some are even included in these bespoke trips.

​Phil says; 

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"I believe Andalucía is an underrated walking destination, offering quiet trails, stunning landscapes, Moorish history, and welcoming villages. I carefully research each route to ensure great scenery, cultural interest, and good tapas, focusing on quality of experience rather than distance or speed."

Where will we stay?

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The Hotel Perla Marina is a 4-star beachfront hotel in Nerja, Spain, situated directly on El Playazo beach, offering easy access to the town centre and stunning Mediterranean views. It features 197 rooms, two outdoor pools, a buffet restaurant, and a cafe. Breakfast is included.

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It is also just a short 35-minute drive from Malaga Airport to the hotel to make your transfer hassle free.

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What flights do I get?

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You will fly into Malaga on the arrival day and depart from there also. You can arrive a few days either side of your walking schedule and pick ups can be arranged around your extended stay! It makes a great oppurnunity for you to explore the local area if you want to make it an extended holiday. I usually do this myself and will be in the country ready for your arrival at the airport.

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More info on flight times will be share upon booking. Most carriers fly twice a day from major airports to Malaga. 

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What are my extra costs?

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Your trip itinerary includes everything except your flights. Breakfast is included in the cost, but you will need to budget for tapas, drinks and evening meals.

Your trip fee is inclusive of transport, guiding, logistics and accommodation.

About Nerja;

It sits on the eastern Costa del Sol in Andalucía, tucked beneath the mountains and right on the Mediterranean. What makes it different from a lot of the coast is that it avoided becoming wall-to-wall concrete hotel misery in the 70s. So instead of giant tower blocks everywhere, you’ve got whitewashed streets, little plazas, beaches tucked into coves, and dramatic cliffs dropping into ridiculously blue water.

The famous bit is the Balcón de Europa. It’s this huge viewpoint sticking out over the sea where everyone eventually ends up eating ice cream and pretending they’re not taking the same photo as everybody else. But honestly, the view earns the cliché.

Then there are the Cueva de Nerja caves, which are genuinely impressive and not one of those “tiny damp hole with a gift shop” situations. Massive caverns, prehistoric paintings, giant stalactites. Some of the chambers are so huge they hold concerts inside them.

The area around Nerja is brilliant for walking too, which is probably why it keeps appearing in my orbit given my Spain obsession. You’ve got:

Historically, Nerja was a fishing and farming town. Then tourism arrived, but compared to places further west like Torremolinos or Fuengirola, it stayed calmer and prettier. It became especially popular with British visitors after the 1980s TV series Verano Azul was filmed there. Entire generations emotionally attached to a fictional boat.

And food? Proper Andalusian stuff:

* Grilled sardines

* Tapas culture

* Olive oil on everything

* Seafood

* Tiny bars where someone’s grandfather is permanently leaning on the counter judging life silently. If that doesn't make you want to extend your stay, I am not sure what will!