Easy hiking trails – Discover Malaga at its most active

Apartamentos Málaga Premium, with its comfort and good location in the centre of the capital, is the best starting point for all the sports and leisure activities that the province has to offer. There is no better way to discover our treasures than to walk our streets and trails, enjoying the views that our land has to offer.

So if you’re a fan of walking to discover your destinations’ most historic and authentic spots, get ready because we’ve got a treat for you. Wear comfortable clothes, take out your sports shoes and, of course, a small backpack with water and something to eat because you can’t miss these suggestions for easy hiking trails in Malaga that we have prepared for you.

• Gibralfaro Castle and the Alcazaba of Málaga
• Malaga Coastal Path – from Muelle Uno to Misericordia beach
• Malaga Coastal Path – from Peñón del Cuervo to the Cliffs of El Cantal
• Climb to Monte de San Antón – The Best Panoramic View of Malaga
• Easy hiking rout along the Caminito del Rey trail

Gibralfaro Castle and the Alcazaba of Málaga

We start with a hiking trail that combines history and tourism in equal measure. Practically on the doorstep of Apartamentos Málaga Premium. These two enclaves are historical testimony to Malaga and at the same time icons of the city. Immerse yourself in our Andalusian heritage. We promise you an experience that will not leave you indifferent. We recommend, first of all, going up to Gibralfaro Castle and, once the visit is over, going down to the entrance of the Alcazaba and the Roman Theatre. You can go up from the stairs near the Municipal Heritage Museum on Paseo de Reding, or from the stairs near the entrance to the Alcazaba on Paseo de Don Juan Temboury. The walk up to Gibralfaro Castle takes about half an hour. Believe us when we tell you that this visit is worth it! Just for its unique and privileged views of the city of Malaga from the Mirador de Gibralfaro viewpoint. There is a reason why it is one of the busiest viewpoints in the capital.

This is a very common picture that you will easily find in many travel blogs. Besides, if you decide to do this walk on a Sunday you are in luck: every Sunday from 2pm the entrance to the Gibralfaro Castle and the Alcazaba is completely free. What more could you ask for?

Malaga Coastal Path – from Muelle Uno to Misericordia beach

This hiking trail through Malaga is easy and ideal for families. Did you know about this path that runs along practically the entire coastline of our province? Well, from Apartamentos Málaga Premium we recommend this stretch which, of course, is very close to our locations in Calle Granada and Calle San Telmo.

First of all head to our starting point: Muelle Uno and the Palmeral de las Sorpresas. This shopping centre and leisure area in the Port of Malaga with shops, craft markets and seasonal activities is a great example of the urban, tourist and commercial development of our city. Enjoy the views of the Port, as well as the different street artists that animate this wonderful enclave and fill your lungs with the sea breeze. Ready? Let’s go then! Continue through the Palmeral de las Sorpresas and head towards Avenida Manuel Agustín Heredia. Look carefully because between the buildings you will catch a glimpse of one of the towers of the emblematic Malaga Cathedral, also known as “La manquita“.

We continue our walk, as we leave San Andrés beach behind us and arrive at the Paseo Marítimo Antonio Banderas promenade, where apart from attractions for children and adults such as the Parque del Agua, you cannot miss the monument to the “Espetero” (the famous sardine skewer), an essential figure in Malaga’s gastronomic culture; nor the monoliths present along the entire promenade that pay homage to different national personalities of the Seventh Art. Finally, continue to the Misericordia beach and contemplate the old Chimney of Los Guindos (colloquially known as the Monica tower), as well as the Chimney of the old Thermal Power Plant in La Misericordia converted into monuments that take us back to the industrial past of the capital of the Costa del Sol.

Malaga Coastal Path: from Peñón del Cuervo to the Cliffs of El Cantal

The Senda Litoral (Coastal Path) offers us more fascinating, accessible hiking routes, such as this section that connects the capital of Malaga with the municipality of Rincón de la Victoria, and which constitutes the first stage of the Gran Senda (Great Path), which runs between beautiful tunnels and cliffs.

This is a linear tour; you’ll need to undo the trail or take public transport to return to the starting point. Keep that in mind!

We start our walk in one of the most emblematic beaches of the city, located in the east, once we leave behind the emblematic neighbourhood of El Palo. We will find the Peñón del Cuervo, with its characteristic landscape of beaches and cliffs. An excellent recreation area, including a rest area and barbecue facilities.

We continue in an easterly direction and pass the watchtower in the neighbourhood of La Araña, offering us a spectacular view of the Bay of Malaga. There, we also find the archaeological site Complejo Humo, a perfect place to discover everything about the inhabitants of Malaga’s prehistory.

We reach the municipality of Rincón de la Victoria, a short distance away, specifically the neighbourhood of La Cala del Moral and its promenade. We approach the end of this route to reach its main attractions: the cliffs of El Cantal with its old train tunnels dug into the rock.

We’ll pass by ramps and stairs as we walk along the last coastal stretch to admire the shrine to the Virgen del Carmen, carved into the rock and surrounded by floral offerings and fishing gear. We can also visit the Malaga Balcony in a spacious square on the promenade.

Climb to Monte de San Antón: The Best Panoramic View of Malaga

We could not miss this route because of its simplicity and proximity, but also because of its exceptional views of Malaga.

It is ideal to go with children or people starting to hike, as it is considered green (low difficulty). Moreover, access is effortless as it is so close to the city. We will do it from the Pinares de San Antón residential area.

Monte de San Antón is part of the Natural Park Montes de Málaga, the mountain chain that surrounds part of the city, and has three peaks: the east peak (507 meters), the southeast peak (372 meters), and the most popular and that we recommend visiting, the west peak or Cruz de San Antón (491 meters).

Don’t worry about getting lost during the ascent, as the routes to reach the three peaks are well signposted at all times.

As with any excursion to the countryside, it is a good idea to bring water and sun protection (if you go up during the day). Although the views of the illuminated city are well worth a night getaway.

During the route, you will come across a beautiful viewpoint from which you can see the entire coastline of the city of Malaga. If the weather is fine and there are no clouds in the sky, we can observe the mountains of North Africa to the south, Sierra de las Nieves and even Sierra Nevada, to the east and west of our position.

It can take about an hour and a half to climb the two highest peaks at a leisurely pace and not counting stops.

However, we recommend spending a whole afternoon or even a whole day enjoying its different enclaves and its natural wealth.

Easy hiking route along the Caminito del Rey trail

If you are a fan of quiet walks and breathtaking views, a visit to the Caminito del Rey is not to be missed. In case you don’t know it yet, it is a combination of trails and wooden walkways hanging over the void at a height of 300 metres along 7.7 kilometres that run along the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge, following the course of the Guadalhorce River.

The starting point of El Caminito del Rey is in the municipal district of Árdales to reach the village of El Chorro, which belongs to Álora. It is one of the most recommended experiences for any traveller in Andalusia and, therefore, a must for hiking lovers.

It is located about 59 km north of Malaga. It can be easily reached by car from Apartamentos Málaga Premium in Malaga city centre by taking the A-357 towards MA-5403, passing through towns such as Cártama, Pizarra, Carratraca and Ardales. It is also possible to arrive by train to El Chorro – Caminito del Rey station (Álora) from Málaga – María Zambrano train station, just a few minutes from our location. For this option, you must take into account the RENFE timetables for both the outward and return journeys, as well as the shuttle bus timetables for northern access to the Caminito.

This famous trail linking these two towns was inaugurated in 1921 by King Alfonso XIII, who did not hesitate to follow the route. Since then, the locals have called this trail “Caminito del Rey” (the king’s little path). Due to a lack of maintenance over several decades, this route deteriorated into an attraction for climbers from all over the world, as it presented great dangers and was not suitable for the general public. It was in 2014 when the Caminito del Rey was closed to the public for restoration so that everyone could enjoy it in complete safety, just as we do today.

Such is the uniqueness and beauty of this environment that an initiative is currently available to support the nomination of the Caminito del Rey as a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape. It is definitely a visit that will not leave you indifferent.

Do you still want to walk and discover more places? Come and stay with us! Book your ideal apartment and discover all that Malaga has to offer.