HIKING IN ANDALUSIA
Many do not share their partner’s craze for breakneck mountain biking. If you want to run or hike in the mountains on your own instead, just start directly from the door. There are plenty of excellent roads, pathways, and trails.
Almáchar is located at a moderate 240 meters above sea level and the mountains closest to the village have peaks below 1200 meters. The location of the village on a mountain ridge invites you to hike in all directions. There are different hiking tours here every day for a week. Since it is relatively low altitude, it never gets cold during the tour, not even in winter.
From the terrace of the Casa de Luz in Almáchar, you can plan your hike just by looking out over the folded mountains that surround the village. Most of the tours can be reached on foot from the door. Those who want to try more alpine hiking, bordering on climbing, have great opportunities within a radius of fifty kilometers.
HIKING SUGGESTIONS
A nice day stage is to walk along the mountain ridge, which looms in front of the hotel’s terrace, to the right towards the village of Moclinejo with a sea view. Here you can eat well in the beautiful square, stroll among all the colourful works of art that decorate the white facades and go back full and satisfied. 18 km in total sounds short, but there are very tough climbs that get the pulse racing.
A slightly nicer hike is to instead go down to the riverbed and aim for the village of Cutar on the left seven km away on the other side of the mountain. There, on more ambitious days, you can continue down into the next river valley, and then climb steeply up towards Comares, which has the area’s best view of the entire Axarquía mountain range and the coast with the sparkling sea. The hiking watch then shows 50 km well back in Almáchar, so start early.
A challenging but beautiful hike is to go to the right and continue past the turnoff to Moclinejo up the country road towards the sea. Turn right there for 200 meters, then left towards El Borge. Here I have also run many times, but take it down beautifully, the knees take a lot of beating for the person above when running far down. The trip is 19 km.
In “winter” (the average temperature is 16 degrees in January), the often-snow-covered mountain La Maroma opposite Almáchar, 2,000 meters above sea level, is the easiest to climb from Alcaucín. Bicycle or car to this village, which is a few miles up, is recommended. Otherwise, you won’t have time to experience the coolness of 2,000 meters on a hot summer day.
The easiest climb is to start in Alcaucín. From here there is a well-marked trail that takes about 4–6 hours round trip depending on fitness. The distance from Almáchar to Alcaucín is 25 km on roads, which means that cycling or driving saves time and energy. Alcaucín is already at an altitude of about 500 meters, which makes the actual climb of La Maroma more manageable. The weather can change quickly here, so don’t go up by yourself. In summer, the risk is more likely to be the heat and the scorching sun.
But having time to experience the coolness of 2,000 meters on a hot summer day is an experience. The temperatures can differ significantly between sea level and the summit.
Tips for the trip:
Bring water and sunscreen – even though it is cooler up there, the sun can cause heatstroke.
A windbreaker or lighter sweater is good to have in case of weather changes.
In winter, there can be heavy snowfall and the terrain is uneven, so hiking boots are recommended.
EXCURSIONS AND ATTRACTIONS WITH ALMÁCHAR AS A STARTING POINT
- Nearby towns and cities
- Comares (approx. 15 km) – A spectacularly situated mountain village with magnificent views and an exciting Moorish history.
- Frigiliana (approx. 40 km) – One of Spain’s most beautiful white villages with cobbled streets and local craft shops.
- Nerja & the Caves of Nerja (approx. 45 km) – Popular coastal town with fine beaches and impressive cave systems.
- Coast and beaches
- Torre del Mar (approx. 25 km) – A wide sandy beach with a lively promenade and many restaurants.
- Playa de Maro – An unspoilt beach near Nerja, great for snorkelling and relaxing.
- Nature and hiking far away
- El Saltillo Route – A spectacular hiking trail between Canillas de Aceituno and Sedella with suspension bridges and mountain views.
- Culture and gastronomy
- Málaga city (approx. 35 km) – Visit the Picasso Museum, the Alcazaba and the lively Muelle Uno harbour.
- Wine tours in the region – Axarquía is known for its sweet wines, and there are several bodegas to visit.
- Local specialties – Almáchar is famous for its ajoblanco, a cold almond and garlic soup.
