Torremolinos is not just sun and sand. This famous Andalusian town is a great place to go walking and hiking, and not just along the seafront promenade (just short of 7 kilometres long).
Since it lies on the lower slopes of the Sierra de Mijas, there are areas of scrubland and beautiful pine forests on the outskirts of Torremolinos which are perfect for walking, and they are not too far from the blue waters of the Mediterranean.
Three hiking trails suitable for everyone are the Cañada del Lobo [literally, ‘the wolf’s glen’], the Gran Senda de Málaga [Great Trail of Málaga], and the Senda Litoral [Coastal Walk]. These enable visitors to discover the beauty of the natural world that surrounds this corner of the Costa del Sol.
Torremolinos’ natural setting
Torremolinos is only just over 10 kilometres from the centre of the city of Málaga — on the western shore of the Bay of Málaga. Behind the town is the Sierra de Mijas, which descends to the Mediterranean Sea over what is known as Montes de Torremolinos: slopes clothed with scrub and pine forests.
The beginnings of this mountainous area of limestone rock (forming part of a series of coastal mountain ranges belonging to the Penibaetic System) are evident in the higher part of Torremolinos, close to the Villa Deportiva, And in particular in the Los Pinares area, a pine forest that provides a true green lung for the town.
But for the benefit of hikers seeking an expedition of over two hours in the midst of nature, we give details below of the main hiking routes around the outskirts of Torremolinos.
Cañada del Lobo
It is well worth walking up to the La Cañada del Lobo viewing point to take in one of the finest views of the Costa del Sol: the coastline and the Sierra de Mijas — and you can even make out the silhouette of the Sierra Nevada on clear days.
This 5-kilometre hike, of moderate difficulty and over a paved surface, is easily accessed from Torremolinos as it is well signposted. Alternatively, you could set off from the municipal district of Benalmádena.
The route climbs among low scrub, pines, ilex, cork, wild olive, and dwarf palm trees — all typical Mediterranean species. You may be lucky enough to spot mountain goats, eagles, sparrowhawks or common kestrels, amongst other fauna.
And above all this, above the viewing point and the sculpture of a wolf that gives the trail its name, there is a hostel, a refuge, and even a nature classroom.
La Gran Senda de Málaga
The Gran Senda de Málaga is a trail that wends its way across the entire province, and forms part of the national and European network of hiking trails. It has 35 stages, and one of these crosses Torremolinos: it is number 34 the last but one, in fact, GR 249, Benalmádena-Alhaurín de la Torre.
The trail is 12.3 kilometres, and the overall gradient (both ascending and descending) is 1060 metres. Hikers tackling this trail set out from Benalmádena to climb the Tajod el Quejigal gorge towards the north. They then hike through a series of mountain passes which separate inland towns and villages, before descending a ravine to reach the end of this stage, at Alhaurín de la Torre.
This hike is of medium difficulty, and requires an estimated time of four hours to complete. Walkers pass by paths formerly used by muleteers, coal gatherers and country folk with the typical plant life of this part of the sierra (pine trees, thyme, rosemary and dwarf palms).
The Coastal Trail
The Coastal Trailis a hike across the entire Costa del Sol, from Manilva at one end to Nerja at the other. Stage number 6 follows the Torremolinos coastline, passing close to the beaches of Los Álamos, Playamar, El Bajondillo, La Carihuela, and El Saltillo.
Hikers who opt for this route will enjoy views of the Mediterranean and of this part of the Costa del Sol for almost 6 kilometres. The hike requires an estimated two hours, and is of medium difficulty — in other words, it is suitable for various ages and levels of fitness.
