Walking in the Heart of Andalucia, Spain
Ideal Walking Country
Our Rural Country Hotel near Alora, Malaga, is located near "Gran Recorrido" (GR 7) walking route forming part of the "European Route No. 4 Walk" passing through El Chorro, Valle de Abdalajis, and Antequera. We are close to the Ardales Lakes National Park and El Torcal with excellent walking routes.
Check out this page for our Guided Walks and our Walking Routes.
Drive & Walk Routes
El Torcal - El Torcal stone “Sculptures” were carved out by water and wind erosion of the Limestone over the last one million years. Stone formations look as if they have been put together carefully and deliberately, and appear to come to life at night! This is a magical park, which amaze and delight all visitors.
Three well defined walks are available at El Torcal, all starting at the Visitors Centre:
• Green Route – Is by far the shortest and is more suitable for the less energetic, but yet curious visitors and those with young children. The 1.5 km walk is in fact a sub-set of the Yellow route and should take around 40 minutes to complete.
• Yellow Route – Is for the more hardy and its 2.5 km track takes you via “Las Ventanillas” (the windows). Las Ventanillas is at the height of 1,200m giving amazing panoramic views of Malaga valley, and en exceptional opportunity to take photos. This walk could take up to 2 hours to complete.
• Red Route - 4.5 km in length and taking over 3.5 hours to complete, this is purely for the dedicated and the fit walkers. This track will take you to the summit of El Torcal at 1,330 meters and will enable you to see the eagle-eye view of El Torcal Park.
El Hacho (Alora) - Starting point for this walk is close to the restaurant Fuente de la Higuera on the Carratraca road (Jose and his staff will not mind you using their car park especially when you have a drink and or a snack when the walk is finished) . A few metres past the restaurant on the left hand side of the road there are two tracks; the one which turns sharply backwards is tarmac and signposted to 'El Estadio de Futbol' - not this one. You take the rightmost dirt track upwards; this track is very good and if you do not feel like the climb you can drive all the way up to the top.
As the track rises from the Carratraca Road on the side of El Hacho it becomes a tarmac surface and then eventually becomes just a track again. It is simply a matter of following this right to the top to where the antennae are - you will then be rewarded with spectacular views from Torcal to Malaga, from Malaga to Sierra de las Nieves and from Sierra de las Nieves to La Huma All in all about 10 kms of good walking track.
La Garganta (Royal Walk)-
Parking by the El Mirador restaurant, above the tunnel, on the edge of one of the lakes, a short climb takes you to the mirador (viewpoint) itself, with beautiful views over the lakes.
From the other side of the cliff on which the mirador is perched, the mouth of La Garganta ('the throat') is visible where centuries of erosion by the waters have carved a deep channel out of the rock.
Behind the mirador, go past a yellow barrier which stops vehicles going any further. It's all downhill from here as the track slopes down to the river and start of the gorge. The rock here is often eroded into cave-like formations and you will walk through one of these which actually forms a tunnel after which you reach the concrete and iron walkway known as the Camino del Rey (walk of the King) which begins here at the entrance to the gorge. The gate is securely closed, as the public are not allowed in, due to its dangerous condition. The walk continues along the bank of one of the reservoirs, the Embalse del Gaitanejo, where there are more caves showing some signs of habitation. The path climbs to the left and returns to the mirador.
Local Walks
Just a few of the many walks around our Hotel. The local terrain has many gently climbing mountains and within some walks there are occasional steep sections to negotiate always with spectacular views as a reward.
- - The Top Ridge Walk - 4.7kms.
- - Continuation of Top Ridge - to make 7.2kms
- - Valverde view walk - 5kms.
- - Alternative Valverde - 3.8kms but with rough terrain
- - Uphill mountain walk - approx. 5kms
- - Guadalhorce view walk- 7kms + 3kms road walk
- - The Nueva Tierra Loop - 12.7 kms
We are always happy to provide you with a picnic in an insulated carrier to keep your lunch fresh & cool. What could be more enjoyable than to stop in some remote spot just yourselves, the birds, the buzz of the crickets & cicadas and wonderful views to accompany your lunch break.
Guided Walks
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday we can organise "Guided Walks" to El Hacho (Pizzara), El Chorro (Alora) and Carratraca (Ardales). Each walk takes around 3 hours and you will be accompanied by English-Speaking guides with deep knowledge of the area providing an ideal opportunity to see the countryside, the wildlife and take in the fantastic views of these high points in the area.
Spring & Summer Walking Packages
| B&B Walking Package | Half-Board Walking Package |
|---|---|
7 x Nights including Breakfast 3 x "Guided Walks" normally €150 included - El Chorro (Monday), - El Hacho (Wednesday) - Carratraca (Friday)
Package price of €870 + (7% IVA) * Insert BBSWP7 on your enquiry form
|
7 x Nights including Breakfast 6 x evening Meals (Mon-Sat excludes Sunday) 3 x "Guided Walks" normally €150 included - El Chorro (Monday), - El Hacho (Wednesday) - Carratraca (Friday) Package price of €1,100 + (7% IVA) * Insert HBSWP7 on your enquiry form
|
Conditions Apply* 1. Offer Valid for arrivals 1st March - 31st Oct 2008 2. Price is for Twin/Double room with Two Adults Sharing 3. Premier room surcharge = 150 Euros + tax 4. Only one offer can be used for a single stay 5. No single occupancy. |
Conditions Apply* 1. Offer Valid for arrivals 1st March - 31st Oct 2008 2. Price is for Twin/Double room with Two Adults Sharing 3. Premier room surcharge = 150 Euros + tax 4. Only one offer can be used for a single stay 5. No single occupancy. |
Our country hotel is a perfect base for Walking Holidays in Spain with some walking routes starting from our drive, as well as within easy access of the GR 7 European Walking Route, and many places that are renowned for their walks just a few KM away. This is the perfect combination for walking, without giving up your home comforts at the end of a perfect walking day in Andalucia.
