The Axarquia is a great place to get out and about, and where better than in the Sierras Almijaras. Finding your way around can be a bit tricky, as guide books often give vague descriptions such as “turn left at the rock with the lizard on it”. Walking World have devised a system of using a combination of walk descriptions and photographs taken at points where decisions need to be taken. There are some for the Axarquia at http://www.walkingworld.com. We are currently working on more routes which will be downloadable from this web site and can be paid for on line using Paypal. All routes have been walked and plotted with a GPS, there is an accompanying map and instructions with photos. The authors are veteran walkers of Kilimanjaro and the Highlands of Scotland, and have been walking in the Axarquia for over 20 years!
Due to storage restrictions, we currently store the walks on our own computer, and you can request the walks by sending us an email which will be responded to immediately and you will be able to pay on line using Paypal. Don´t worry if you don´t have a Paypal account, we can send you a request for payment when you email us and it will explain all. Cost is €2 per walk.
You will need a broadband connection to download the files, as some are quite big. If you incur any problems please contact us for assistance.
Sample walk to see a sample of how the routes are done for the route from Cómpeta - Archez - Canillas de Albaida - Cómpeta - it is in .pdf format (12MB) so you will need Adobe Reader to download it. It is an offence to photocopy these routes and they are updated with further information on a regular basis with information about other aspects of the routes such as archaeology, history, accommodation etc.
Routes currently available are:
Route 1 - An easy but very pretty walk from Cómpeta to Canillas de Albaida. Duration: 1 hour.
Distance: 4km.
Grade: Easy.
Terrain: Good track. A very popular track with the locals. Views down to the coast and of Canillas de Albaida with its church high on a promontory are superb.
Route 2 -
Cómpeta - Canillas de Albaida via Mosquin. Duration: 2 hours.
Distance: 7 km.
Grade: Moderate. Track: Good track. Magnificent views to the coast - watch out for the bees!
Route 6 - Cómpeta - Acebuchal - Cómpeta. Duration: 6 hours round trip from Cómpeta village. Grade: Easy. Terrain: Forest tracks. A walk to the "lost village" of Acebuchal on the border with Frigiliana. Great place for lunch!
Route 9 - Cómpeta - Casa de Mina - Fábrica de Luz - Cómpeta. Duration: 6 hours. Duration: 6 hours. Distance: 15km
Grade: Moderate. Terrain: Good tracks, stony on the track to Puerto Collado. A beautiful walk to Casa de Mina (where copper was mined in years gone by) and down to the newly renovated Fábrica de Luz. You will need to be fit for this walk, as it is very long, and the last part is uphill!
Route 20 - Casa de Mina - Puerto Blanquillo. Duration: 3 hours from Casa de Mina – 4.5 hours from Cómpeta
Distance: Round trip: 19km from Casa de Mina, 11.5km from WP2 Horse watering spot shown on map.
Keep an eye on this page - we are adding new walks all the time!
Contact us for further information or place an order.
Also, walking maps of the area!
Interpretive panels and advice about walking in the area are starting to appear courtesy of the local townhalls which are great starting points. There is one at the mirador of Cómpeta near the Portichuelo.
Good walking boots are recommended, take a mobile phone and contact number of either someone you know who can rescue you in an emergency, or the emergency services number. Always let someone know where you are going if you are walking alone. Taking a bottle of water is also recommended, even in the winter time.
Maps
Good walking maps are very difficult to find in Spain but to get a general feel of the area you can buy military maps of the area are available in Marco Polo – sheet number 18-43 Zafarraya. Sheet number 18-44 Velez Malaga gives the area to the coast. All Spanish maps are based on the Hayford grid system (possibly dating from Wellington and the peninsular wars) as opposed to the European 1950 grid. The Hayford Grid approximates to the European 1950 grid that is effectively WGS84 but Hayford has a slight shift in the Northing and Eastings. The shift varies across Spain and can even change from sheet to sheet. The shift In the Axarquia region is about 202m N and 110m East.
Maps of the village are available from the tourist information office (open 10:00 to 15:00 Wednesday to Sunday, Mondays and Tuesdays in the town hall on the Rampa) route of how to get to the football pitch is available free from Todo Papel, Cómpeta and other outlets.
Other activities
There are lots of activities – go quad biking or horse riding in the mountains. There are a number of walking routes which have been put together by the owners of the house copies of which are in the information packs in the house, and also accessible from www.walkingworld.com. Do a language class at the local language school.
Tours
We can organise walking tours through the Sierras calling at places personally recommended by us. Overnight at a local B&B or guest house. Alternatively we can organise trips to local fiestas using our preferred suppliers. Contact us for a quotation!
Accommodation
Accommodation in the Hotel Balcon de Competa,
a three star hotel nestled in the mountains, situated at 638 m above sea level, 18 km from the coast and 49 km from Malaga, in the heart of the Axarquia, Costa del Sol.
Or if you simply feel the need to get away from everything then come and relax by the pool, play tennis, take in the spectacular views, enjoy the mountain walks, go horse riding and taste the local wine.
Whatever the reason for your visit, the Hotel Balcon de Competa and its friendly staff will make your stay as comfortable as possible. All in all, Cómpeta is a great place to be at any time the year.
Join the Cómpeta Walking Forum and receive regular newsletters and information about walking routes.
