Sierra de Tejeda

The most iconic walk in the area, and the one we are asked about most, but it has been closed to the public since August 2023 and it is closed today. Nerja shut the access points on fire-risk and safety grounds, the Local Police check them daily, and no reopening date has been set. The Junta de Andalucía is working towards bringing it back as a managed, ticketed route on the Caminito del Rey model, with two bidders admitted in 2026 and both proposals capping access at around 500 walkers a day. Please do not plan a holiday around it until that is settled. Walk the Río Higuerón gorge above Frigiliana instead: the same wading upstream between narrowing limestone walls, a fraction of the people, and it starts a steep kilometre from our gate.

The mountain directly behind Frigiliana, 976 m above the village and the site of the Morisco last stand of 1569 - older accounts and the signs in the village still call it the Peñón de Frigiliana. The waymarked Ruta El Fuerte starts from the top of the village; we prefer the full circuit, about 11 km with 687 m of ascent, which drops back down a different ridge rather than retracing the climb. Allow four and a half hours. From the summit the panorama runs along the whole coast from Málaga to Almuñécar, with the white rooftops directly below and the Sierra de Almijara behind. There is no shade and the upper section is rocky and exposed, so start early, carry plenty of water and avoid the middle of the day. For something shorter, the signed Cruz del Pinto path stops at 397 m, around 5 km there and back.

Follow the signposted track through olive and almond groves to the "lost village" of El Acebuchal - abandoned during the Civil War and painstakingly restored. Have lunch at the excellent restaurant (the migas and chivo al horno are famous), then walk back. A perfect day out, combining history, scenery, and great food.

A real highlight for experienced hikers. At 1,779 m, Pico Lucero is the highest peak in the Sierra de Almijara and offers one of the most spectacular summit views in all of Andalucía - from the snow-capped Sierra Nevada to the coast of North Africa on a clear day. The route from Frigiliana climbs through pine forest, past dramatic limestone karst, and along exposed ridgelines. A full-day commitment (8-10 hours round trip) requiring good fitness, proper hiking boots, and plenty of water. Best attempted in spring or autumn when temperatures are manageable.

Charles Davis's Walk! Axarquía guidebook covers 40+ routes across the region - the Río Higuerón gorge above Frigiliana, circuits through the Sierra de Almijara, and full-day mountain traverses reaching above 1,500 m. We keep a copy at the villas and are happy to recommend routes for your ability and interests.