Malaga is discovered step by step, which is why hiking is one of the activities that are becoming more and more popular among nature and sports lovers. Through these activities, we can get closer to the flora and fauna of Malaga while doing physical exercise. There are more than 40 official routes for hiking in Malaga: short and long-distance, with slopes and plains, rivers and all kinds of flora and fauna. We propose some of the most beautiful routes for cyclists and e-cyclists.
Acequia del Guadalmina
The starting point of this route is located next to the access road to Benahavís. A couple of kilometres before reaching the village, the Guadalmina river can be glimpsed on the right. In fact, you can see the existence of a wooden bridge that serves to cross it. Right there is a parking area.
This path has been open to the public since late summer 2014 when a wooden bridge was installed to cross the Angosturas del Guadalmina from the road. Therefore, the first thing to do on this short trail is to cross this footbridge. From here you will have an interesting perspective of this impressive canyon through which this river, which rises in the Serranía de Ronda and flows into the coast of Marbella, has found its way into.
Once you have crossed the wooden bridge, turn slightly to the right to follow the only path allowed on this route. It begins to climb slightly with some sharp bends until it reaches the irrigation channel that gives its name to this hiking route. The path becomes practically flat here, as it maintains the level of the irrigation channel itself.
From this point onwards, there is just over a kilometre of walking along the mountainside, always next to the aforementioned irrigation channel. In some sections, bridges and metal footbridges have been installed to avoid certain slopes or even to avoid entering the irrigation channel itself.
Ribera del Guadiaro (Estación de Benaoján-Estación de Jimera)
This riverside route is only 9 kilometres long and links the villages of Estación de Benaoján and Jimera Estación. The route corresponds to the 25th stage of the Gran Senda de Málaga.
The starting point of this route is in Benaoján Station. Specifically, next to the bridge over the Guadiaro River. After crossing it, you will find the information panels for this trail as well as for others integrated into the Gran Senda de Málaga.
The twenty-fifth stage of the Gran Senda, which links the centre of Estación de Benaoján with Estación de Jimera de Líbar, runs for the most part along the banks of the Guadiaro, one of the most important rivers in the Serranía de Ronda, together with its main tributary, the Genal. The route, therefore, is practically flat or with slight descents and ascents in its accompaniment to the Guadiaro.
The route crosses the Guadiaro River over the bridge over the Genal.
After crossing the river over the bridge at Estación de Benaoján, you will come to the first signpost on this route of the Gran Senda de Málaga. As indicated there, continue along the path next to the course of the Guadiaro in the direction of the river. You can contemplate the descent of the river at this point, with a spectacular and sonorous waterfall.
On leaving the Estación de Benaoján behind, the path temporarily moves away from the river and begins to ascend slightly along a forest track to the holm oak grove of Monte de las Viñas. This gives a good perspective of what is to become this riverside route, where the river flows into a spectacular valley, popularly known as the Angosturas del Guadiaro (Guadiaro Narrows). Although for the first kilometre there is hardly any shade, shortly afterwards the lush vegetation that accompanies the river begins to abound, which serves to make the path more refreshing. You will also see some tributaries that carry their waters to the course of the Guadiaro from both sides of the valley.
El Candado-Rincón de la Victoria
This coastal route is one of the sections that make up the Coastal Path of Malaga. In this case it connects the eastern part of the city of Malaga with the municipality of Rincón de la Victoria. It passes by emblematic coastal enclaves such as the Peñón del Cuervo or El Cantal.
The starting point of this route is next to the El Candado club, where the marina of the same name is located. Nearby, next to a parking area, you can see the start of the lane that leads along the Coastal Path to Rincón de la Victoria. This section also partially coincides with the first stage of the Gran Senda de Málaga.
This route, which is more than 7 kilometres long, can be done all the way to Rincón de la Victoria or you can opt to go back earlier if there is not enough time to get there or if the weather is not optimal. However, unlike other sections of the Coastal Path, at some points, such as El Cantal or the Peñón del Cuervo strip, tunnels are crossed that allow partial shelter from inclement weather, such as rain, wind or excessive heat. Despite this, it is not recommended to do this route if the weather is expected to be less than optimal.
The route, which is almost entirely flat, allows you to get to know the coastal landscape of the eastern part of Malaga and Rincón de la Victoria, where the abrupt coastline of this metropolitan and Axarquia area is particularly noteworthy. About five hundred metres into the itinerary you will pass by the Peñón del Cuervo beach, so-called because of the large rock of the same name located on the shore.
From the Peñón del Cuervo beach, the route heads towards the centre of La Araña, situated opposite the spectacular cement factory. The path runs through the streets of this popular neighbourhood, where a watchtower still survives today, from which there was and still is a wide view of the Bay of Málaga.
Torre del Mar-La Caleta de Vélez
This coastal route is one of the sections that make up the Coastal Path of Malaga. In this case, it links the Axarquia towns of Torre del Mar and La Caleta de Vélez by routes along the beach and the promenade.
The starting point of this route is in the town of Torre del Mar itself. Specifically, you will have to look for the promenade and from there the milestone located in the westernmost part of the beach.
This route, which is not even 3.5 kilometres long and is practically flat, is ideal for enjoying a peaceful stroll along the Velez coastline. This way, by means of the path that has been laid out on the beach itself or along the promenade, it is possible to go from the tourist town of Torre del Mar to the centre of La Caleta de Vélez, known especially for its fishing port, in a short time.
The route is practically urban but allows you to enjoy the rich landscape of this area of the Axarquia coast. Thus, at the start, it runs along almost the entire coast of Torre del Mar, the most important centre of the coast of Vélez-Málaga. Although many of its historical remains have been lost over time, the charm of its beaches and its wide promenade has been preserved. From this coastal promenade, you can see or intuit its main enclaves, such as the industrial vestiges of its sugar past. On the other hand, in the centre of the town, the Paseo de Larios, which is its main pedestrian artery, stands out.
Walk along the river Guadaiza
This route runs along the course of the Guadaiza, one of the rivers that rise on the southern slopes of Sierra Bermeja and runs through part of the territories of Marbella and Benahavís until it flows into the town of San Pedro de Alcántara.
The starting point of this route is next to the Guadaiza river dam. To get there, take the A-7, both in the direction of Algeciras and Malaga, until the exit signposted for Nueva Andalucía. Take Avenida de los Girasoles, first, and then Avenida Calderón de la Barca, which leads to the Los Naranjos golf course. At this point, take Calle Sirio and pass just under the toll motorway (AP-7). Right there you will connect with the river Guadaiza.
Although its course is not as surprising as other rivers in the area, such as the Castor or the Guadalmansa, this river walk is one of the most peaceful and tranquil that can be done in this area of the Costa del Sol. The itinerary starts next to the dam itself.
The first thing to do is to cross the dam to get to the other side of the river. Afterwards, turn right to follow the path that follows the course of the Guadaiza along this stretch. Still upstream, the path is diffuse for the first few metres and involves having to cross a small stream.
Little by little, following the indicated path, you leave the dam and the course of the Guadaiza river to the right. The path is narrow at many points, especially when the vegetation becomes more abundant. At times, the ferns make the route almost imperceptible. You will have to be very careful not to stray from the itinerary, although you must bear in mind that the Guadaiza river will always be the main thread of this river walk.
After more than half a kilometre, the path begins to get more involved with the river, which will even serve as a path to reach one of the deepest pools. At this point, it can be somewhat difficult to avoid it, so it is advisable to carry watertight containers and cross them while getting completely wet. You will have to be careful with the deepest areas, which will require you to swim.
This is a way of discovering Malaga for lovers of walking or cycling routes and hiking in general. Full days of planning on these 5 marvellous routes.
Depending on the route you choose, we have two models of electric bikes you can rent. Our Dakota, the pure electric mountain bike, or the Vienna, for the long route. Click here to discover them.
Are you interested in renting an electric bike? Click here to see all our models available and book online.
Perhaps you would prefer a guided tour on an electric bike? Click here to see all our tours available and book online.
