Current walking programme

Programme March - June 2026

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 March - June 2026 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.         

Sun 15 Mar 10.30 am Level 2. Walk leader Vreneli Stadelmaier (tel/whatsapp 0034-601652762). Meet Canillas tourist office for car share to the start point Fabrica de Luz. Circular walk to Puerto Blanquillo. Distance approx. 12 kms, ascent/descent 550 m, 4,5 hours.

Sun 22 Mar 09.00 am Level 2+. FC 2. Walk leader Vreneli Stadelmaier (tel/whatsapp 0034-601652762). Meet Canillas tourist office for car share to the start point Puerto Blanquillo. Linear walk to the top of el Lucero. Final part a bit of vertigo risk. Distance approx. 11 kms, ascent/descent 760 m, 5 hours. There is place for 6 persons, please whatsapp the walk leader beforehand.

Wed 25 Mar 10.00 am Level 1. FC 1. Walk leader Joost Schepel (tel/whatsapp 0034-619511104). Meet Canillas tourist office for car share to the start point in Sedella. Circular walk to pic nic place and the origin of the Rio del Fuente. Distance approx. 8 kms, ascent/descent 300 m, 3 hours. Refreshments afterwards in Sedella.

Sat 28 Mar 10.30 am Level 2. Walk leader Vreneli Stadelmaier (tel/whatsapp 0034-6016522762). Meet Cómpeta tourist office. Cirular walk to Puerto del Collado and Collado de Huerta Grande. Distance approx. 11 kms, ascent/descent 450 m, 3,5 hours.

Thu 9 Apr 10.00 am Level 1. Walk leader Sabine Denissen (tel/whatsapp 0032-488189509). Meet Cómpeta tourist office. Circular 3 villages walk. Via Sendero GR249 (Gran Senda de Málaga) to Canillas de Albaida, descent to the Roman bridge. We follow the Sendero los Molinos-Rio Turvilla to Archez along the iron walkway (not suitable for most dogs). We climb up to Cómpeta. Refreshments in Hotel Balcón. Approx.  7 kms, 2,5 hours.

Thu 23 Apr 10.00 am Level 2. Walk leader Sabine Denissen (tel/whatsapp 0032-488189509). Meet Cómpeta tourist office. Circular 3 villages walk. Via Sendero GR259 (Gran Senda de Málaga) to Canillas de Albaida, descent to the Roman bridge and ascent up the stone track to the other side of the Rio Turvilla. Descent to Archez for a short drink stop and ascent back to Cómpeta via Bodega Jarel. Refreshments at the plaza. Distance approx. 9 kms, 2x ascent/descent 250 m, 4 hours.

Sat 2 May 10.00 am Easy cultural village walk. Walk leader Sabine Denissen (tel/whatsapp 0032-488189509). Meet Cómpeta tourist office. Cultural walk 'Ruta de azulejos' through the village. We pass the 15 Azulejos Mosaics: a walk through the history of Axarquia with short historic explanations by the walk leader (who studied Archeology and Art history). Refreshments afterwards in Hotel Balcón. 2 hours.

Tue 5 May 10.00 am. Level 2+. Cerro Cenacho walk. Walk leader Sabine Denissen (tel/whatsapp 0032-488189509). Meet Cómpeta tourist office. We start with an ascent via Plaza Carmen and the football field up to the Sendero GR249 (Gran Senda de Málaga). We walk further up to the middle Natural Park trail along Loma Gaviarra, direction Collado Huerta Grande, but turn left and along Cerro Cenacho downhill to Canillas de Albaida and via the Sendero GR249 back to Cómpeta. Some climbing so we do it at a comfortable personal pace. Walking poles can be useful on the pebbly paths. Bring lunch. 4,5 hours.

Wed 27 May 10.00 am. Level 1. FC 3. Ventas de Zafarraya circular walk. Walk leader Joost Schepel (tel/whatsapp 0034-619511104). Meet Canillas tourist office for car share to the start point in Ventas de Zafarraya. The drive will take about 1 hour. This is one of the most beautiful walks in the area with superb views and we might also find the wild Pentecost roses. After the walk we will do what the Spaniards do and have our main meal at around 3 pm in Hostal Aqui Te Quiero Ver. They provide generous home cooking. Last year I paid for an excellent 3-course meal (menu del dia) 12€. Maybe it is now a little bit more but it will be worthwile. Distance approx. 7 kms., ascent/descent 250 m, 2,5 hours. Please whatsapp the walkleader beforehand of your participation, so he can inform the restaurant.

Wed 3 Jun 10.00 am. Level 1+. FC 3. Linear walk from Canillas de Aceituno to Sedella. Walk leader Joost Schepel (tel/whatsapp 0034-619511104). This is a must do walk for every keen walker in the area crossing over the Rio Almanchares gorge by a hanging bridge. The walk is not too difficult, although a little bit of vertigo risk on and shortly after the hanging bridge. In total approx. 9 kms, 250 m ascent/descent, 3 hours. Afterwards we have a drink on the terrace of a bar in Sedella. As this is a linear walk we have to organize the transportation. Some cars have to stay behind in Sedella and all participants continue in the other cars to Canillas de Aceituno. After the walk the drivers will be brought back to Canillas de Aceituno, so they can pick up their cars again. So kindly whatsapp the walk leader beforehand if you want to participate without a car, or if with a car how many persons you can take in your car.

The 14th Cómpeta walking festival will take place 24 - 27 September. Level 1 and level 2 are already fully booked. For level 3 there are still a few places available. For more information see: https://www.spanjeanders.nl/en/walkingfestival

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!