Andalucia Guided Walking Holiday
Price
£925
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Spring
and
Autumn
Mountainous, Mediterranean and Moorish
Country
Spain
Grade
Moderate
Duration
7 nights
Style
Guided
Type
Centre Based
Price
£925
Discover the rugged beauty of Andalucía on this guided walking holiday in Spain’s sub-tropical south.
Just an hour from Malaga, explore the relatively unknown Sierra de Tejeda, with its ancient oak woods, Roman bridges, vineyards, olive groves, and waterfalls. Enjoy intermediate-graded day hikes on ancient trails through Moorish villages rich in Mudejar architecture, occasionally joining the renowned and historic ‘Silk Route’ that wends its way from La Axarquia to Granada.
Your guide, Mick Smith, brings extensive local knowledge from years of living and walking in the area, enhancing every experience. Based in the white-washed village of Canillas de Albaida, this holiday is perfect for early and late-season walks in Andalucía’s Mediterranean sunshine. The region teems with wildlife, including raptors, eagles, peregrine falcons, and golden orioles. Enjoy stunning views of the Mediterranean coast, Sierra Nevada, and Morocco’s distant Atlas Mountains. Evenings feature sociable dinners, often al fresco, and relaxed “Office Hour” aperitifs with Mick and fellow walkers.
Take a look through this page for everything you need to know about this amazing guided walking holiday in Andalucia, and when you’re ready, click Enquire or Book Now, submit some information, and let our skilled team help you make this holiday a reality.
Gallery
At a glance
Dates
Autumn 2024
28 September – 05 October
05 – 12 October
12 – 19 October
19 – 26 October
26 October – 2 November
Spring 2025
19 – 26 April
26 – April – 03 May
03 – 10 May
10 – 17 May
17 – 24 May
Price
£925
Single Supplement – £195
Grade
Moderate
Expect to walk for 3-5 hours each day with ascent/descent of between 200-500m each day.
Office Hour
This is a popular focal point of our centre-based holidays.
Each evening (except Wednesday) join Mick, our guide, and other guests in the hotel courtyard for a relaxing pre-dinner drink. Mick will brief everybody about the next day’s walk and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have.
What’s Included
Airport Transfers – between Malaga & Canillas d’Albaida (1hr).
7 Nights Half Board at Villa La Plaza – bed, breakfast (7 nights) and 3-course dinner with wine (6 nights, not Wednesday).
5 Guided walks – tried and tested gems of a moderate grade (not Wednesday).
Transport to Trailheads – as required
Packed Lunches are not included, but available locally.
Wednesday is a ‘rest’ day – optional day trips to the Nerja Caves (30mins) or Malaga Old Town (1hr) are available, booked and paid for locally.
Travel
This holiday is based at Villa La Plaza in Canillas d’Albaida. The best option for this holiday is to fly in and out of Malaga Airport.
Airport Transfers – from Malaga (1hr) are included, and generally depart at 1230 and 1630. Your flight must land before 1600. To use the return transfer, your flight home must depart after 1200.
Private Airport Transfers – available at a supplement, are ideal if you’re travelling in a group and/or plan to arrive outside of the above times – please contact us for a quote.
Itinerary
Enjoy charming rural landscapes and pretty whitewashed hilltop villages – plus some easier higher level paths – in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Armed with a packed lunch (available locally) we set out each morning at about 9am and, depending on the itinerary, return to our charming Andalucian base in Canillas de Albaida in the mid or late afternoon – allowing you time to relax before Office Hour and dinner.
Sat - Arrive & Settle In
After the short transfer from Malaga airport to Canillas, there will be time to settle in and relax at Villa La Plaza, your base for the week. In the early evening, there will be a welcome briefing by Mick, your host and guide for the week, followed by a 3 course dinner with wine. Often, dinner is taken al fresco in the hotel courtyard. (Photographed above).
Sun - Canillas to Competa
Route Statistics – 11km – 5½ hours walking – 350m ascent/descent
This walk to Cómpeta, known locally as the the Pearl of the Axarquia, offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the Mediterranean. Famous for its locally-made wine, this lovely village is a vibrant labyrinth of streets and whitewashed houses cluttered around a 13th century tower. The walk today traverses some beautiful countryside, a rich tapestry of scrubland, forest and agricultural terracing.
We should arrive at the main plaza in Cómpeta in time for a late lunch, usually tapas. But there are many bars and restaurants to choose from. After lunch, there is the option to walk to a local Bodega for a winery tour and some tasting. This is highly recommended!
Mon - Archez & Cueva de Agua Circular
Route Statistics – 12km – 4 hours walking – 450m ascent/descent
This walk takes you through the sleepy, step-back-in-time village of Archez before traversing the avocado plantations that border Competa with its vibrant atmosphere, cafes and tapas bars.
Tue - The Hidden Village of Salares
Route Statistics – 8km – 4 hours walking – 775m ascent/descent (option to extend by 5km).
This route descends out of Canillas on an old Roman path, crossing an ancient Roman bridge before traversing a landscape of avocado and citrus groves. We then continue uphill on a mule track to the summit of Fogarate – a hilltop lookout that lies in the shadow of the lofty peak of La Maroma. After taking in the fabulous views, we follow the valley along an irrigation canal to the old Moorish village of Salares. We wander through the steep, winding streets of this picturesque village and have the option of lunch in Theo’s Bar, a simple but special experience. We return to Canillas by private transfer.
Wed - Rest Day
Wednesday is a rest day. Breakfast is served as usual, but there is no guided walk, and dinner is not included. That said, we’re still here to help you plan something memorable.
The most popular option is a visit to Malaga. Just one hour from us, Malaga is not just an airport! Indeed, it is rich in culture, history and fascinating architecture, notably its stunning cathedral. It is also a town of bustling markets and atmospheric cafes and restaurants.
Another popular option is to visit the coastal caves in the seaside resort of Nerja just 30 minutes from Canillas.
Thur - El Saltillo
Route Statistics – 8km – 4 hours walking – 420m ascent/descent
This is a dramatic ‘out and back’ walk which follows the natural and man-made waterways that run down into traditional hillside villages from the mountains that loom above. It takes in spectacular steep ravines and at times follows narrow pathways, all with superb views of La Maroma (2069m) the highest peak of the Sierra de Tejeda.
Fri - The Abandoned Village of Acebuchal
Route Statistics – 9km – 5 hours walking – 625m ascent/descent
We arguably save the best until last! Your holiday ends with a circular hike, which is quite simply a beautiful day out in a quiet and secluded valley. This is quintessential Andalucía and it will surely be a highlight of your stay. The descent into the abandoned village of Acebuchal is a fascinating focal point of the day.
Sat - Depart
After breakfast at 9am, guests join a transfer to Malaga Airport. Those with later flights have the opportunity to spend time in Malaga.
Accommodation
Villa La Plaza
Gustavo and Denisa have additional accommodation about 300m from the village square in a newly-built villa. Perched on a hillside, guests here enjoy uninterrupted views of the surrounding hills and mountains, and can gaze down the valley towards the Mediterranean. The villa has 7 ensuite, air-conditioned bedrooms, all furnished in the typical Spanish way. A large, comfortable guest lounge opens out to an attractive terrace with an 8 metre swimming pool. It’s a short stroll up to the Posada, so guests here can easily come to take breakfast and dinner, and join us for Office Hours.
Posada La Plaza
Our base in Andalucia, Posada La Plaza, is a beautifully converted 16th-century convent. Occupying two sides of a traditional Andalucian village square, Posada La Plaza has 9 ensuite, air-conditioned bedrooms with simple and elegant furnishings. On the top floor you’ll find a sun terrace from where you can look over olive groves and out to the Mediterranean sea.
Together with their team, the owners Gustavo and Denisa provide a warm, enthusiastic welcome and friendly hospitality. There is a daily continental breakfast, and each evening (except Wednesdays) they provide a three-course dinner with complimentary wine.
Need to Knows
Maximum Altitude – The maximum altitude on this trip is 1774m above sea level.
Booking Conditions – be sure to read our full terms and conditions here before booking.
At Your Own Risk – please read the important notes here.
Travel Advice – check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice here.
Passport & Visa – any questions should be directed to the relevant embassy of your destination country; find out more here. It is your responsibility to be in possession of a full passport, valid for your chosen destination.
Travel Insurance – having adequate and valid travel insurance is a condition of booking with us. Details of our insurance partner, Campbell Irvine, are here.
Health Information – You should carry either an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) Neither is an alternative to adequate travel insurance. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/
ABTA – Independent travel advice and help is always available from ABTA by calling 020 3117 0599 or visiting www.abta.com.
