Andalucian Coast-to-Coast Walk

You begin at the small beach in Maro, an understated white village in a charming and far less touristed area of the Costa Del Sol. Maro is just a few miles east of Nerja, which would be a good jumping-off point as it has plenty of hotels and supermarkets (Malaga, a 1.5-hour bus ride away, is the nearest airport). The walk starts with a bang in the Sierra de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama, a striking mountain chain characterized by tall, jagged peaks and deep gorges.

After a couple of days, you’ll begin to skirt the flank of La Maroma, an iconic sight in the region and the highest mountain in the area at 2069m. You then move on to the Sierra de Camarolos, the Sierra del Torcal, and El Chorro, the latter well known for its famous Caminito del Rey walkway which is pinned high on the sheer cliffs that line the famous gorge. At around the midway point, you reach the untamed Parque Nacional Sierra de las Nieves. This is where you hit Ronda – an extraordinary destination that’s worth at least one night’s stop, if not a rest day, to visit the Moorish citadel and the famous Puente Nuevo bridge that sits 100 meters above the dramatic El Tajo Gorge. It’s also a lively foodie destination, so it’s worth sampling the tapas bars, and nightlife.

After Ronda, you head into the Sierra de Grazalema, the wild and isolated Libar Valley being a particular high point. At this point, you begin to head back south towards the sea, passing through the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales. Castillo de Castellar is right on the trail here, a stunningly preserved medieval hilltop castle and walled village. Again, a fantastic place to stop for one night with very affordable rooms in the castle itself. In your last few days, as you start to descend from the mountains, you’ll see Gibraltar and the Rif mountains of Africa in the distance. You’ll hit the Atlantic at Tarifa, the windswept southernmost point of Spain, just a short ferry hop from Morocco. From here, it’s just a final coastal stretch to Bolonia, ending at its impressive dunes and kilometer-long beach. From Bolonia, it’s worth taking a bus or taxi back to Tarifa or Algeciras, where there are far more public transport and accommodation options. Check out a full recap of this trail on my Instagram account.

Andalucia is the ideal all-year-round European hiking destination, making it a great winter option when snow renders the Alps and Pyrenees inaccessible. However, most people hike this trail in the spring and autumn. These shoulder seasons give you the best of both worlds. There will be warm weather, a low chance of rain, and more guesthouses and shops open, but fewer tourists than in the high season. I would say it’s best to avoid the height of summer if you can as the heat and lack of water sources in this arid climate can make the climbs pretty uncomfortable.

However, even in winter, we had lots of sunshine and warm weather, alongside some mist and rain. There was a dusting of snow on top of one of the highest summits, La Maroma, but you don’t climb high enough for this to cause an issue. Still, the weather can change quickly in the mountains, and it’s important to be prepared with good winter layers and waterproofs, even in summer. I still used all of mine at various points along the trail. One thing to note if you walk this trail in winter is that the hours of daylight are obviously short. In December, we had from 8-8.30 am until 6 pm. The longest stage is 7.5 hours, so this shouldn’t be a problem, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you start late.

As you plan your hike, we recommend you assess factors such as trail difficulty, length, elevation gain, and terrain and think about your abilities in handling each of these. You should read guidebooks, talk to those who’ve hiked this trail already, and to local hiking and tourist organizations, as well as read this website.

Share your hiking plans with your family or friends, including your start and end times, chosen route, and emergency contact.

Each day, check the weather in the area you’re hiking. You can talk with locals, check a weather radar app, or even better, both. Avoid starting if you see severe weather conditions on the forecast, including thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, or extreme heat.

Bring enough water and snacks to maintain your energy and prevent dehydration and exhaustion. This means at least two liters of water! Familiarize yourself with the trail map and carry navigation tools such as a compass or GPS device so you don’t get lost.

Invest in the right hiking gear, including comfortable, supportive footwear, proper hiking clothing, such as warm base layers and a hardshell rain jacket, hiking poles, a well-fitted backpack, and essential equipment like maps, GPS devices (when needed), and a first-aid kit. Check out our comprehensive gear list for long-distance trails like this.

Respect the principles of Leave No Trace by minimizing your impact on the environment. Stick to designated trails, pack out all trash, and be respectful of wildlife and natural habitats.