Overview
A six day, self-guided walking holiday exploring the Sierra de Tejeda and Almijara Mountains. Starting in Canillas de Albaida, a typical Andalucían whitewashed mountain town, and ending on the coast in Nerja, there are four days of trekking in between. Highlights include the El Saltillo Hike on the GR249 trail, otherwise known as the Gran Senda de Málaga, a trek to the summit of Cerro Verde (1,346m) and Puerto Blanquillo (1,220m). All of these walks are within the protected area of Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park, which also creates a beautiful natural border between Málaga and Granada.
If you have less time, we have a shorter five day, centre-based walking holiday in the same region.
- Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park
- El Saltillo Hike
- Gran Senda de Málaga GR249
- Cerro Verde
- El Acebuchal
- Frigiliana
- Nerja
- Optional hike on Caminito del Rey
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Canillas de Albaida
You are met at Málaga airport and transferred to Hotel Posada la Plaza in Canillas de Albaida, located on the slopes of the Tejeda and Almijara Mountains, right on the border between the provinces of Málaga and Granada. After settling into the hotel, take the time to wander around this whitewashed town, where you can sample some of the region’s local delicacies such as migas de maíz, fried pumpkin and Moscatel wines.
- Accommodation: Posada La Plaza or similar in Canillas de Albaida
Day 2: El Saltillo hike | 9.2km
Your walking holiday begins in Canillas de Aceituno, a traditional whitewashed village on the edge of the Sierra de Tejeda. From here, follow the trail through the Axarquía region, part of the region’s famous GR249 trail, Gran Senda de Málaga. The route takes you across rugged terrain and clifftops, including the breathtaking puente colgante (suspension bridge), which towers 78m above the gorge and Almanchares River. Continue along suspended sections of the trail that skirt dramatic cliffs before arriving in Sedella, where you are met and transferred back to the hotel.
- Walking for the day: 9.2km, ↑476 m, ↓443m
- Accommodation: Posada La Plaza or similar in Canillas de Albaida
Day 3: Cerro Verde (1,346m) | 10.3km
After a transfer to Fábrica de la Luz, follow a gradually ascending, shaded trail alongside Arroyo de la Cueva del Melero stream. The route passes traditional farm buildings and terraced groves, before beginning a steeper ascent involving brief scrambles to the summit of Cerro Verde (1,346m), where you are rewarded with panoramic views across the valley and surrounding mountains. The descent passes rosemary and gorse bushes before continuing into woodland and then on to Fábrica de la Luz. From here, it is only a 3.6km walk back to Canillas de Albaida.
- Walking for the day: 10.3km, ↑607m, ↓605m
- Accommodation: Posada La Plaza or similar in Canillas de Albaida
Day 4: Cómpeta to Frigiliana | 23.2km
You are transferred to Cómpeta to start the walk. Begin with a steady ascent to Cruz de Canillas Pass, where you get views towards the Sierra de Tejeda. The route enters a more rugged section, following mountain paths and sandy slopes through pine forest to the Puerto Blanquillo summit (1,220m). A long descent follows, walking through El Acebuchal, a former settlement that was abandoned in the mid-20th century and later restored. Continue on dirt tracks to Frigiliana, where you stay overnight. The village has a well-preserved Moorish quarter with narrow streets and traditional architecture.
- Walking for the day: 23.2km, ↑661m, ↓1,118m
- Accommodation: Beneste Frigiliana Hotel or similar in Frigiliana
Day 5: Frigiliana to Nerja | 13.5km
Follow a section of the Gran Senda de Málaga (GR249) between Frigiliana and Nerja. Descend from Frigiliana towards the Chíllar and Higuerón river valleys before continuing through pine forest near Nerja Cave. The final section leads downhill to the coast, ending in Nerja. Nerja is a coastal town at the eastern end of the Costa del Sol, with a historic centre and plenty of seafront restaurants.
- Walking for the day: 13.5km, ↑594m, ↓748m
- Accommodation: Beneste Villa Flamenca Hotel or similar in Nerja
Day 6: Departure or optional transfer to El Chorro
Departure after breakfast. Private transfer to Málaga airport or city, where we can arrange additional nights. Alternatively, you can book an optional transfer to El Chorro to extend your stay and hike the Caminito del Rey.
Please note that tickets to Caminito del Rey are limited and should be bought well in advance at their official website.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is in three-star hotels and B&Bs. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Posada La Plaza (Canillas de Albaida)
- Casa Vista B&B (Canillas de Albaida)
- Beneste Frigiliana Hotel (Frigiliana)
- Beneste Villa Flamenca Hotel (Nerja)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included each day. If you stay at the Posada la Plaza complex in one of their Villas, breakfast is served at Restaurante La Plaza, so you may need to walk 5-10 minutes to reach this location. Where no restaurants are available en route, lunch can be purchased from either a local shop or from your hotel. Dinner can be purchased from local restaurants in Canillas de Albaida, Frigiliana, and Nerja.
Difficulty and terrain
This walking holiday is suitable for more regular hikers who have a good level of fitness. Moderate itineraries include longer walking days with steeper and longer ascents and descents. Terrain may be mixed, including rocky areas. Walking is on average 5-7h per day (up to 23.2km). A small amount of low level scrambling may be required on the Cerro Verde route (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to only follow marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available all year, from January to December, thanks to Málaga’s mild climate and lack of rain.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
The weather can be extremely warm in July and August, with average temperatures between 28-31C, so it is advisable to begin walking early.
For further information, see our blog Best time to go to Spain.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP).
By train or bus
- If you can travel to Spain without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with a train station in Málaga. For more details, see the national rail operator Renfe or use the Omio planner above.
- Arrival private transfer from Málaga Airport to Canillas de Albaida is included in this tour (1h).
- Departure private transfer from Nerja to Málaga Airport is included in this tour (1h).
Inclusions
Included
- 5 nights in en-suite rooms
- 5 breakfasts
- Private transfer from Málaga Airport to Canillas de Albaida
- Private transfer from Nerja to Málaga Airport
- Transfers as outlined in the itinerary
- Luggage transfer when changing hotels
- Detailed digital holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps.
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Transfers not included in the itinerary
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own.
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights in Málaga
- Extra nights in Canillas de Albaida, Frigiliana, and Nerja
- Extra nights in El Chorro
- Transfer from Nerja to El Chorro
Spain’s legal requirement for personal information
Please note: in December 2024, the Spanish government introduced a new law making it a legal obligation for all visitors to Spain to share personal details with their accommodations and car rental companies. Consequently, as we book your accommodation for you, we are obliged to pass these on to our local partners on the ground. After booking your holiday, we will send you a form to complete requesting all the legally-required information, including: name, nationality, gender, passport number, DOB, address, phone numbers and email address. This applies to all travellers aged 14 and over. If you are travelling with people under 14 years old, you need to declare your relationship to them. We apologise for any inconvenience. For more information, see here.
