Hiking in Nerja: Discover Stunning Trails and Scenic Views august 21, 2024 – Posted in: Spain, Travel – Tags: Andalusia, Attractions, Hiking, Hiking Trails, History, Holiday, Nerja, Spain, Vacation

Great Hiking Trails in Nerja

Many visitors come to Nerja to explore the impressive caves, Cueva de Nerja, or to enjoy a relaxing beach vacation. However, this charming Costa del Sol town, just an hour’s drive from Malaga, is also a fantastic hiking destination with numerous beautiful trails.

We visited Nerja in March 2023, when the Mediterranean was still a bit too cool for swimming. Since we traveled a bit off-season, hotel prices were lower, but the weather was perfect for hiking. If you’re considering Tenerife, which offers similar temperatures in March, you’ll get plenty of sunshine for your money in Nerja.

But enough about that – let’s go hiking!

3 Beautiful Hikes in Nerja

From Nerja, you can explore two stages of the Gran Senda, the extensive hiking trail system originating from Malaga. By the end of a three-week hiking trip, we didn’t have the stamina for Stage 5, which stretches from Nerja to Frigiliana through a mountainous area with steady ascents.

Instead, we enjoyed three other lovely hikes:

• Gran Senda – Stage 4: Nerja to Torrox
• Frigiliana to Nerja via the dried riverbed of Rio Higuerón
• Nerja to the Tower in Maro

Below, you can read about our experiences with these various trails.

AllTrails

We wouldn’t have found the trails from Nerja to the neighboring town of Maro without the help of AllTrails. This hiking app, easily installed on your phone, helps you discover even the smallest shortcuts known only to locals.

In the past, we often struggled to determine if a path would lead to a dead end, but we find the app extremely useful on new adventures. It’s free to sign up for the first 7 days, then costs about $40 per year. We’re not sponsored to say this – but we really appreciate AllTrails!

Gran Senda – Stage 4: Nerja to Torrox

In March 2023, we hiked Stage 4 of Gran Senda from Nerja to the neighboring town of Torrox Costa. A new sidewalk was being completed that stretches all the way from Maro, the neighboring town on the other side, through Nerja to Torrox. The total sidewalk will be about 12 km, allowing for an uninterrupted walk.

We started our hike in Nerja just after La Torrecilla, the ruins of an old tower. From there, the trail follows the coast along the beach and later the main road. Along the way, we saw several large round defensive towers from the 1500s. At the end of Playa del Peñoncillo, just before the lighthouse, we also found the remains of a Roman water mill.

At the lighthouse Faro de Torrox, you can enjoy the view or visit the small museum that tells about the large Roman villa discovered here. Further along, beneath the large balcony, are the remnants of a factory that produced garum, a Roman-era condiment.

Recommendation: A pleasant, straightforward stroll suitable for most people. The red and white markings for the Gran Senda route are clear throughout. Buses run between Nerja and Torrox Costa once an hour if you only want to walk one way. The bus stations in both towns are right on the main road and in the center of town. You can buy a ticket on the bus in Torrox and at the station in Nerja.

Hike from Frigiliana to Nerja

To the north lies the national park with the Tejeda, Almijara, and Alhama mountains. There are trails here for both experienced hikers and mountain climbers, including the aforementioned Stage 5 of Gran Senda. It’s a challenging 15 km hike, but there are also many beginner-friendly trails around Nerja for those who just want a pleasant walk.

We took a bus from Nerja to Frigiliana, one of the most famous of the beautiful white villages in Andalusia. After exploring the town, we walked back to the square where we were dropped off by the bus. We continued along the small but steep Camino Boticario, where the hiking route begins.

Soon, we reached the dried riverbed of Rio Higuerón. From here, it’s about 1.5 hours of hiking on loose stones down to Nerja. If you prefer a water hike, you can opt for the Rio Chillar trail. We prefer dry shoes, so we checked in advance that there was no water in the Rio Higuerón at that time.

Recommendation: The riverbed hike is beautiful and not too difficult. However, the loose stones can be tough on the ankles, so hiking poles and boots are recommended. Children can easily join, but you will need to navigate a very steep staircase with only a small rope as a handrail, as shown in the top image. Be sure to check if the riverbed is dry before you leave home, as there can be steep waterfalls otherwise.

Hike from Nerja to Maro

We have already described the first part of the hike to Maro in more detail here: Attractions in Nerja. By following the link, you can read about the old sugar factory, the Roman road, the aqueduct, and the Cueva de Nerja, all of which are on the way to Maro.

We split the hike into two days: exploring the above sights on the first day and then heading directly to Maro on the second day. After a coffee at the small Cafeteria Balcon De Maro, where you can see many old photos

of the area, we continued past the area’s first sugar mill, established in 1582.

This is where you should grab AllTrails if you want to experience the same exciting hike we did. You can easily walk around or along the beach to the Torre de Maro, but there is also a direct route through fields on the steep slopes.

Recommendation: You’ll need to climb a bit on the final stretch up to the tower, but there are plenty of tree roots to hold onto. Otherwise, it’s a fun hike with manageable inclines. From Torre de Maro, the view is fantastic, and it’s a great spot for a packed lunch. We took the main road back, where you can walk safely behind barriers away from traffic.

More Great Tips for Your Vacation in Nerja

Find a Great Hotel in Nerja

Nerja is a small town, but there are surprisingly many hotels. Many tourists come here on a charter holiday, but if you prefer to book independently, it’s just as easy. We chose to stay a little outside the town center, but still just a few minutes’ walk to the Balcón de Europa. At our small boutique hotel, Hotel Boutique Sibarys, located on one of the quieter streets, it was quiet all day and night.

Even though the hotel is just a short walk from Playa Calahonda, it features its own cozy pool and a pool bar. We had a delightful small balcony with views of the pool and the sea. The balcony, furnished with a small table and two chairs, provided the perfect spot for us to relax and soak up the evening sun before going out to explore the town’s restaurants. In the mornings, breakfast is served in the intimate dining room located in the basement, offering a buffet that truly lives up to the motto “small but superb!”

Hotel Boutique Sibarys is an adults-only hotel, and it was quite clear that only fellow hedonists like ourselves were staying there! Sibarys is a hotel you stay at if you enjoy relaxing and want to be close to the town life but still have enough peace to take a midday nap in the sun lounger without being disturbed.

Read more about the hotel here: Hotel Boutique Sibarys and see all the other hotels in Nerja by clicking here. You can also make your own search for hotels in Nerja right here:

Booking.com