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 Rio Patalamara 15/10/2025

Current walking programme

Programme October - December 2025

There are no costs to participate with a walk unless specified in a programme. FC 1 or FC 2 means a fuel charge of 1 or 2 euro to pay to the driver in case of car share.

New walk leaders very welcome!

If you would like to offer a walk for the October - December 2025 programme, please send walk details to:

schepeljoost@gmail.com at least one week before the actual walk and I will add it to this programme. If you have to cancel the walk because of poor weather conditions, please send an email to me latest at 6.00 pm the day before the walk and I will amend the programme. So if you want to join a walk and expect bad weather the next day, check this weblog the evening before after 6.00 pm.         

Wed 15 Oct 10.00 am. All levels. Walk leader Joost Schepel (tel/whatsapp 0034-619511104). Meet Cómpeta tourist office for car share to the start. FC 1. Walk/wade part way up the Rio Patalamara (in the water for 1/1,5 hours) and return overland. Water sandals/trainers/pole x 1 advisable. Waterproof contents of rucksack (just in case!!). Change of footwear from water to land personal choice. 3 hours. Refreshments afterwards at Alfonso in Cómpeta.

Sun 19 Oct 10.00 am Level 1. Walk leader Joost Schepel (tel/whatsapp 0034-619511104). Meet Canillas tourist office. Extended river walk. We descend to the Roman bridge, follow the river downstream till Archez, then we continue the walk in the riverbed for approx. 1 km and return in a wide rising loop back to Canillas. As we have to cross the river several times via stepping stones walking poles advisable. Distance approx. 7 kms, ascent/descent 200 m, 2,5 hours. Refreshments afterwards at Ramon in Canillas.

Fri 24 Oct 10.00 am Level 2. Walk leader Sabine Denissen (tel 0032-488189509). Meet Cómpeta tourist office. Natural Park circular walk. Steady climbing via Plaza Carmen and the Gran Senda de Málaga (GR 249) to the middle Natural Park trail. Leaving the GR 249 underneath Loma Gaviarra and descending via a more adventurous trail above Canillas to return to Cómpeta via the GR 249 (goat track). Refreshments afterwards at Hotel Balcón de Cómpeta. Distance approx. 7 kms, ascent/descent 300 m, 2,5 hours walk.

Thu 30 Oct 10.00 am Level 1+. Walk leader Sabine Denissen (tel 0032-488189509). Meet Cómpeta tourist office. Natural Park circular walk. Steady climbing via Plaza Carmen and the football field to the lower Natural Park trail. Then an almost horizontal walk to Canillas connecting above Canillas to a more adventurous loop with beautiful scenery. Returning to Cómpeta via the GR 249 (goat track). Refreshments afterwards at Hotel Balcón de Cómpeta. Distance approx. 5 kms, ascent/descent 200 m, 2 hours walk.

Tue 4 Nov 10.00 am Level 1. Walk leader Denise Wouters (tel 0031-625453479). Meet Cómpeta tourist office. Circular walk via Portichuello, hotel Alberdini and Fuente de la Vieja passing Denise's house for a rest and refreshments. Welcome! Distance approx. 8 kms, ascent/descent 120 m, 3,5 hours.

Tue 11 Nov 10.00 am Level 2. Walk leaders Jan and Nicolette van der Krogt (tel/whatsapp 0031-645494776). Meet Cómpeta tourist office for car share to the start at helipad (10.15 am on road A 7207 in the curve at km 8). FC 1. Circular walk to Acebuchal crossing the river twice. Half way we drink coffee in bar Acebuchal. Last 4 kms off road with loose stones and in the end a stiff climb back to the start. Distance approx. 12 kms ascent/descent 400 m, 4 hours.

Fri 14 Nov 09.30 am Level 2. Walk leader Mary-Rose Cross (email: hotcrossdogs@hotmail.co.uk). Meet Canillas de Albaida tourist point. FC 2. From Puerto Blanquillo to the summit of El Lucero (1779 m). Return the same route. 10 kms, 5,5 hours. Poles advisable. Risk of vertigo. ONLY 8 PLACES AVAILABLE. Please email walk leader to book a place.

Thu 27 Nov 09.30 am from Canillas 09.45 from Cómpeta level 1. Walk leader Sabine Denissen  (tel 0032-488189509). We take the Loymerbus to Algarrobo Pueblo (walk leader gets in the bus in Cómpeta, please bring small money for paying cash). Easy, horizontal walk from Algarrobo Pueblo along the riverbed to Algarrobo Costa and further along the seaside boulevard to Torre del Mar. Refreshments and some free time in Torre del Mar. We take the bus back up to Cómpeta in Torre del Mar (in front of private office Loymerbus, Calle Dr. Fleming 47) at 2.00 pm. Arrival in Cómpeta 2.45 pm and in Canillas 2.55 pm. Distance 6 kms, 2,5 hours walk - 4,5 hours with bus trip included. >>>> If the river level is too high due to heavy rains the days before, the walk will be only along the seaside from Algarrobo Costa to Torre del Mar.

Wed 10 Dec 09.30 am from Canillas 09.45 from Cómpeta Level 1. Walk leader Joost Schepel (tel/whatsapp 0034-619511104). We take the Loymer bus to Málaga (walk leader gets in the bus in Cómpeta). Málaga cultural and historical citywalk. We will pass the old city market and all the interesting historical buiding and musea, entering only the city museum in the Aduana buiding (entrance free). Afterwards we climb up a hill 180 m with magnificent views, walk through a forest and descend to the beach and the harbour where we can have a lunch and free time untill we take at 06.30 pm the Loymer bus back. Arrival Cómpeta 8.15 pm and Canillas 8.30 pm. Busfare € 5,80 one way. Don't pay the driver € 50 notes as he won't have change.

Fri 19 Dec 10.00 am Level 2. Walk leaders Jan and Nicolette van der Krogt (tel/whatsapp 0031-645494776). Meet Canillas tourist office for car share to the start at Fábrica de la Luz FC 1. Circular walk from Fábrica de la Luz. Partly off road. Distance approx. 13 kms, ascent/descent 550 m, 4,5 hours.

General information

This group is open for everyone, resident or visitor, who enjoys walking in this region.
The meeting point for all walks is the Tourist Office in Cómpeta (by the bus stop) or the Tourist Office in Canillas de Albaida (also by the bus stop) depending on the route. If you wish to join the walk, in most cases you can simply turn up at the meeting point at the time indicated (but check individual walking details). Please note that walks will leave promptly at the start time. If transport to the walk start point is needed, this is indicated in the programme. We will car share, making a contribution to the driver for the cost of petrol (suggested amount indicated under FC = fuel charge). All walks are offered free of charge, though there may be parking or entrance charges for some walks (see individual walk details).

In case of poor weather conditions, please always check this weblog programme in the evening before the walk after 6.00 pm. If a walk is cancelled, you will find it in the updated programme.

Please be aware: Walkers attend walks in this programme at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety. Please come properly equipped for the conditions and bring food, water and any personal medical requisites. Well-behaved dogs are welcome unless otherwise specified. NB A lead is required in the Parque Natural.

A note about walk grades: Walks are graded from Level 1 to Level 3 and Level 3+. Please note that these descriptions are based on a person of reasonable fitness who exercises regularly. Timings refer to walking time excluding stops, unless otherwise stated. All timings are approximate; we can only go as fast as the slowest walker in the group!

L1  There are few truly easy walks in our area! Level 1 walks will go at a gentler pace with more rest stops and are usually 2 - 3 hours walking time. Paths and tracks will be mostly easy underfoot but may include some uphill sections (inevitable!).
L2  These walks usually last 3 - 5 hours and may include 'a bit of a slog' for great rewards. The pace will be brisker with fewer stops. They may include longer steep sections and/or some rough and stony paths.
L3  Walks over 5 hours / 15 kms and / or 700+ m of ascent with prolonged steep sections and rocky paths / some scrambling.
L3+  Challenging!