Walking in Andalucia
The white village of Cómpeta is located at 640 meters above sea level, the ideal place to stay for walking in Andalusia. Located at the foot of the Tejeda & Almijara Natural Park with a long mountain range that extends from 2,063 meters to the cliffs of the Mediterranean Sea.
Varied landscape
The landscape consists of forested mountains with many kilometers of dirt roads and paths formerly used by donkeys along orchards labored by local farmers. The mountainous landscape of the Axarquía region has much to offer: steep pine-covered slopes, jagged hills, deep ravines and raging mountain streams. But also open land with small farms and orchards where olive trees, almond trees and other subtropical fruits as avocado’s and mango’s grow.
Route descriptions
You walk with clear route descriptions past streams and eroded limestone crevasses and high mountain peaks. Throughout the hike, enjoy the beautiful views. In clear weather, you can even see the Rif Mountains in northern Africa and the Sierra Nevada.
Together with you we will create a personal walking-program with clear route descriptions in your language and according to your wishes and walking abilities. We also organize transfers to or from slightly more distant hiking trails for you. We are in regular contact with you to give advice on how to adjust the program if necessary, or just to have a glass of wine on a terrace in the village square. Due to the clear instructions and our tips, you definitely don’t need a guide.
Walking condition
Anyone with a reasonable walking condition and good physical health, including children aged 12 and over, can follow our hikes. We offer a variety of day hikes, on dirt and mule tracks, slightly exceeding 1,200 meters and range from 1.5 to 6 hours with an average ascent of 200 to 1,000 meters. The Natural Park area of 40,600 hectares is nothing short of spectacular and attractive for beautiful nature walks. If you want to know more about the flora and fauna of the Tejeda & Almijara Natural Park, check the park’s website.
The village of Cómpeta
Cómpeta is a whitewashed village to the east of the city of Málaga, in the green region of Axarquía, at the end of a long green valley far away from the mass tourism of the Costa del Sol. In the town you will find a bakery, a greengrocer, a small supermarket and a medical centre. In the town square you will find several good restaurants and bars with terraces in the always present sun. It is good and very affordable to eat or drink here. Your accommodation is literally just around the corner from the cosy town square. You stay in the luxurious Studio apartments of La Granada Residence.
Cómpeta is surrounded by several white villages that have retained their Moorish heritage. During the Spanish Civil War, this town was a refuge for anti-Franco rebels who were hiding in the mountains. These white villages are definitely worth visiting while walking. Located in the backyard of Cómpeta, the Tejeda & Almijara Natural Park is nothing short of spectacular and ideal for beautiful nature walks. If you fancy to walk along the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea, you can use the local bus connection.
Walking inspiration or holiday pre-fun
Caminito del Rey walk
El Saltillo walk
Los Molinos walk
GR-249 Long Distance Trail
The GR-249 trail, marked entirely in red and white, runs through a large part of the Axarquía region in the north and returns to the Mediterranean coast through the Sierra de Tejeda and Almijara, passing through the towns of Cómpeta, Frigiliana and Nerja.
The complete route can be found at www.gransendademalaga.es.
Maps and walking guides of the Sierra de Tejeda and Almijara
- Mountains of Nerja (Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama), ed. Cicerone. Walks of no less than 24 days that cover the entire area with a lot of practical information.
- Walking in Andalucía, ed. Cicerone. Six walks through what the author calls La Axarquía; the name of the entire zone.
- Sierras Tejeda Almijara and Alhama (Natural Park), 1:40,000, ed. Editorial Penibética. Fairly traveled and fairly reliable map of the Natural Park only. With a guide in English with practical information and a series of walks that can be found on the map with numbers.
- Hiking map Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park , 1:25,000, Editorial Piolet
- Consult all the hiking guides and hiking maps of Andalusia on the Walking in Andalusia website.
- Axarquia Tour & Track Map , highly detailed, 1:40,000. Download it from www.dwgwalking.co.uk also available from our accommodation.
- Maps/descriptions of various hiking trails in the vicinity of the village are available at the local tourist office.
What a guest wrote
A pleasant and relaxed experience
Albert met us when we arrived even though it was quite late at night. The accommodation was great and very comfortable. The first day we took it to ‘relax’; We had breakfast and dinner on the roof terrace and in the afternoon, we took a short ‘siesta’ nap.
The second day we did the hiking trail that passes through Puerto Collado at 890m height and down to the old Fabrica de Luz of Cómpeta on the Torrox river. The weather was great, and we were able to enjoy the views from Cerro Lucero, over the Mediterranean Sea to Morocco in North Africa.
We were doing hiking trails all week with the help of Albert. We also really liked the trail of the Fábrica de la Luz in Canillas de Albaida, which passes through Puerto Blanquillo and back along the old smugglers trail to Cómpeta. The weather was great, and we were able to enjoy the views of Cerro Lucero and over the Mediterranean Sea to Morocco in North Africa.
After a wonderful week in our Tokyo apartment, we had to say goodbye. We shall surely come back again so we can hike more trails! Tomorrow we will go to the airport passing along the coast for lunch first and return the rental car. Time in Cómpeta has passed very quickly and we shall take this experience to Holland and share with friends.
Albert, thank you very much for your pleasant and relaxing assistance.
Cómpeta Suites
Calle Laberinto, 8
29754 Cómpeta (Málaga)
Spain