Walk
Andalucia – Sample Itinerary
Walk
Andalucia will meet you at Malaga Airport and transfer you to your house in
Torrox Pueblo by private transport. After settling into your accommodation, you
will join the other guests for a welcome lunch followed by an orientation tour
and introduction to the history of village.
·
Transfer time to hotel: 45 mins
Our first
day’s walking takes us via an old mule track to the hill top village of
Comares in the beautiful Axarquia region. Comares
is the highest village in the Axarquia region and the walk takes us round the
outside of the village with breathtaking sea and mountain views.
The area ‘en route’ is rich is fruit trees as we pass near to Velez
Malaga a major centre for the growing and export of mangoes and avocados. During
the walk, there will be a wide range of trees including almonds, pomegranates,
oranges and olives. Flowers in April to June are spectacular including a wide
variety of orchids. Eagles and Griffon Vultures have also been seen in this high
terrain. The walk finishes with a tour through the village and the opportunity
to purchase some of the local muscatel raisins, figs, honey and almonds
depending upon season.
·
Walking time: 5 hours ·
Height Gain: 2200 ft ·
Grade: moderate
We take a
20-minute drive due north of Torrox and offer two alternative walks – the
choice is yours. For those who want
a more challenging walk, there is a steep climb up a track followed by a climb
up a dry river bed for about one hour. For
those who prefer a more leisurely
walk, we will drive you up the steeper part in our 4x4 drive.
At the end of the steep track, there are wonderful views of the valley
and we are now at a height of about 980 metres.
The walk is then on an excellent track, fairly flat, with stunning views
across the Almijara. We walk for about 30 minutes to the Casa de la Mina – a
delightful stop or refreshments with beautiful views and good opportunities for
taking photos.
We
then descend at times quite steeply towards the now disused Fabrica de la Luz
where we meet the river. The
descent takes about one hour to a wonderful picnic spot beside a waterfall.
On this walk it may be necessary to cross the river a couple of times so
weatherproof boots or spare socks are useful.
Also sticks would be useful for the ascent.
·
Walking time: 4˝ hours ·
Distance: 12 kilometres ·
Grade: moderate
DAY 4: EL CANUELO
This walk
starts behind the village of Periana and involves a gradual climb with stunning
views of Lake Vinuela. It is a
great walk for wild flowers and birds and in January and February beautiful
almond blossom. At the start we climb to an old railway track.
It is an easy walk but you are rewarded with 360o views
including that of Maroma, which is the highest mountain in Axarquia (2068 m).
This is part of the Sierra Tejeda. We
continue walking through to the Ventas de Zafarraya.
We then turn back and head down steeply to the village of El Canuelo
where we have a stop for refreshment. The
restaurant also has a swimming pool and we can relax and enjoy the views of Lake
Vinuela below. There is then a leisurely walk down mainly tarmac road back to
the cars.
·
Walking time: 5 hours ·
Distance: 12 kilometres ·
Grade: easy
This is a
circular walk along a shaded river bed for part of its length with a short steep
climb up to a good track for the return journey,.
The villages of Azebuchal, Bajo and Alto were deserted in the 1950s when
the villagers came down to the coast to escape brigands after the Civil War and
during Franco’s regime. Our guide
for this walk is steeped in the history of the area and we promise an
entertaining and lively day. The
Junta de Andalucia are now financing the restoration of the villages to
encourage rural tourism run by local people.
We finish the day at the Cortijo of Maria and her friends where they have
prepared a nine course meal comprising typical local home made dishes and wines. Situated on a hilltop with views down to Nerja and the
mountains behind. There is a
swimming pool for the use of guests, which is fabulous on hot days after a long
walk.
·
Walking time: 4 hours ·
Grade: easy
This walk
takes us up a river valley with a steep climb up a small goat track before
returning back down along gentle quarry road.
The walk starts from the now disused Fabrica de la Luz which used to
provide electricity for the area before the Spanish National grid was formed.
The walk takes us through many walnut groves and in the spring fields of
bright red poppies delight the eye. Past
an old cave which was once used by the local honey maker and is now home to a
herd of goats and climb to a height of 3,500 feet with superb views over the
higher Sierra Almijara.
·
Walking time: 5 hours ·Length:
12 miles ·
Grade: moderate
After
breakfast we transfer you to Malaga Airport (or by prior arrangement, to your
onward destination). Farewell from Walk Andalucia.