Walking, trekking and hiking in Andalucia

Andalucia in southern Spain is a great place for a walking holiday with plenty of mountains, numerous Natural Parks, including the Sierra Nevada National Park. This area of Spain enjoys mild winter, spring and autumn weather, so walking can be enjoyable at any time from mid-September through to mid-June.

The Sierra Nevada National Park is the largest National Park in Spain and is home to the highest mountains in mainland Spain. The Sierra Nevada National Park is easily accessible from Granada and Málaga and is an excellent place for walkers and hikers across stunning and dramatic scenery. This includes lush river valleys, pine forests, tranquil lakes, winding gorges, and barren rocky peaks.

There are many peaks above 3,000m in the Sierra Nevada, with the 3 highest peaks being Mulhacén (3,479m), Veleta (3,396m) and Alcazaba (3,336m). The Tres Picos trail links these 3 peaks and is a popular hiking route. Due to the huge size of this national park it is an incredibly peaceful and quiet place to go walking and hardly meet another soul. Buy the Sierra Nevada walking map and the Walking and trekking for the Sierra Nevada guidebook from our shop.

On Spain’s Costa del Sol coast are the towns of Nerja, Torre del Mar, and Almunecar that nestle under the mountains of the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama. This part of Andalucia is also known as Axarquia that is famous for its attractive villages and mountains, and is a superb hiking area. The highest mountain is called La Maroma that is 2,080m high, and there are around 50 other peaks over 1,000m high. The Mountains of Nerja Walking guidebook describes 24 walking routes in this area, and the Sierra Almijara and Tejeda Spanish Trails guidebook describes 30 graded walks, whilst the Axarquia Tour and Trail map covers most of the Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Nature Park.

The Montes de Malaga Nature Park is the closest Nature Park to Malaga, and is called Malaga’s green lung. The park is extensively covered with trees and boasts beautiful views across the sea. This is a great place to visit as part of your holiday near Malaga as there are many tracks and trails for hiking and cycling in the park.

The El Torcal de Antequera is a small Nature Park to the north of Malaga, a landscape of craggy limestone formations with mountains rising up 1,339m high. There are a number of walking routes that are signposted, some of which lead to a stunning viewing point called Mirador Las Ventanillas with views over the sea and the surrounding countryside. Buy the El Torcal de Antequera Nature Park walking map from our shop.

The Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park is a landscape of rugged limestone peaks along with cliffs, gullies, caves, gorges, and rich green forests. The highest peak is called El Torreón at 1,654m high, and there are around 20 other peaks over 1,000m high. There is a network of paths and trails to explore the park on foot, many of which are signposted. The Sierra de Grazalema map and Guidebook describes various walking and cycling itineraries throughout the park.  Buy the Walking in Andalucia guidebook that describes 6 walking routes in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, or the Walking The Mountains of Ronda and Grazalema Guidebook that describes 10 walking routes in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park.

The Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park comprises of varied woodland such as chestnut and oak along with green pastures. The hiking routes in this park follow cobbled paths and ancient mule tracks that link a series of charming villages, which are famous for producing quality cured hams. Buy the Walking in Andalucia guidebook that describes 6 walking routes in the Sierra De Aracena y Los Picos De Aroche Natural Park. The Sierra De Aracena Tour and Trail Map details 27 walking and hiking routes.

The Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park is an extensive forested area where the entire park is at an altitude of over 600m high. The landscape is filled with towering rocky walls and deep valleys with the highest peak being Pico Empanada at 2,107m high. Buy the Walking in Andalucia guidebook that describes 6 walking routes in the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park.

The Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park is Andalucía’s largest coastal protected area, and it is a wild and isolated landscape. The coastal scenery is beautiful with steep cliffs that plunge directly into the sea along with hidden coves and white sandy beaches. Inland is Spain's largest volcanic rock formation with sharp peaks and crags in beautiful formations. The largest summit is called El Fraile Hill at 493m high, and there are many marked footpaths throughout the park to suit all walkers and hikers. Buy the Cabo de Gata-Níjar walking map that comes with book, which describes 12 walking and hiking routes, plus 6 mountain biking routes.