When you reach the top turn left along a one way street past the Cuartel of the Guardia Civil to return to your point of departure (2 hours 20 mins). Angling right you pass by the oddly numbered houses 5, 3, 7 then 35 where you should cut left and head up a narrow, paved street. Soon you pass by Finca El Alborrán then a little further up go past the track cutting in to El Nobo. As it levels the Gaucín to Casares road comes into sight down beneath you. Continue on up the track which is now cobbled in parts.
Walking – Gaucin
Montemayor is the name of a castle ruins and the hill it sits on overlooking the village of Benahavís and the Mediterranean coast Known for its excellent gastronomy and wide range of high-quality restaurants, as well as its grand selection of quality golf courses, unsurprisingly Benahavis attracts a vast number of tourists… More → The walk passes through six of Andalucia's Natural Parks and protected areas via its most beautiful mountain villages. Continue straight up to the first houses of the village where the track becomes paved. Shortly before the track drops down to meet with this road you reach a three way junction.
- Mijas Costa is popular among tourists and has a large English population, it is here that you will find the town’s beaches and… More →
- Conveninet for Gaucin village or the hiistoric town of Ronda.
- At the end of the street, just past Bar Portisuelo, turn right and climb for 30m then swing left on a track that immediately begins to descend.
- There are schools, a health centre, public library, post office, shops and cultural centre, as well as many excellent bars and restaurants.
- When you reach a junction where there’s a carob tree to your left and pine trees straight ahead turn left.
- After crossing over a rocky scree slope the track passes just to the left of the pylon.
- One of the best things about the simple act of walking is the sense of reconnecting with Nature and the Big Wide World.
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The track runs towards a ruined farm then angles right then passes to the right of a gate where it narrows to become a path. When you reach a grove of carob and olive trees, ignore a left turn leading to a gate but rather continue straight on. The track continues to descend and passes beneath a white building where you'll be greeted by barking dogs. Selected, approved Gaucin villas and village houses.
There are 7 fabulous golf courses and clubs in the municipal district of Benahavís for all abilities and they are all featured on our Benahavís Golf page. At the entrance to the village is a park known as Leonera Park featuring lawns, gardens and a small open air auditorium. Almost a village within a village, La Aldea was the brainchild biggerz casino login of the British sculptor, David Marshall, whose gallery is one of its main features however there are other art galleries in Benahavís. Even the old stone Arab walls around the town hall have been converted into one. The municipal district extends behind the higher parts of east Estepona (Los Flamingos and Atalaya) and Marbella including the upmarket 'Ronda road' districts and La Quinta on the mountain side of the AP-7 motorway.
Benahavis
Restaurants in Mijas CostaThere are a number of restaurants situated in La Cala de Mijas or Mijas Costa, giving spectacular views over the med from the dining table. La Cala de Mijas is the heart of Mijas Costa (the coastal strip of Mijas municipal district) and although it has expanded over the years, it still maintains something of its Andalucian seaside village atmosphere. All have views of the golf course, pool or gardens, and in some cases the Mediterranean Sea. But its restaurants are its glory, and it celebrates the fact by describing itself on the road signs that guide you there as the gastronomic corner of Andalucía. Anyone wishing to make the climb to visit the ruins and experience the truly sensational views of the coastline should be prepared for a strenuous but rewarding effort.
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Weather in Mijas CostaWeather in Mijas Costa – if you are considering visiting this town you will be interested to check the latest weather forecast for the next few days. This comprises of 9 National public holidays; 2 whose dates are set by the region, 1 regional holidays and 2 local public holidays. There are many located on Boulevard de la Cala and others on the seafront around Calle Torrejon where the beach bars have their fans. There is no shortage of restaurants in La Cala de Mijas.
The walk begins at the petrol station (la gasolinera) on the outskirts of Gaucin on the main road, leading through the village from Ronda to Algeciras. Today Puerta de Purchena is in the heart of the city, close to Plaza de la Constitucion (also known as Plaza Vieja) and the Alcazaba. There are a number of restaurants situated in La Cala de Mijas or Mijas Costa, giving spectacular views over the med from the dining table.
- At the zebra crossing swing left along a narrow street.
- Turn left just past the Cajamar bank and head along in Calle Queipo de Llano.
- But this is not being allowed to attack the old village, and the visitor who remains steadfastly at its centre, as most do, might almost be unaware of their existence.
- There are a number of restaurants situated in La Cala de Mijas or Mijas Costa, giving spectacular views over the med from the dining table.
- Boasting an impressive outdoor space, glass terrace, and never-ending views – this 3-bed villa is a great choice for friends and families.
- Soon you pass by Finca El Alborrán then a little further up go past the track cutting in to El Nobo.
The chapel is the destination of a summer romería when the villagers bring the Santo Niño (the Christ Child) down from Gaucín. The track drops down to the picnic area in front of the Chapel of Juan de Dios (1 hour 15 mins). The track soon passes by a sandy area where bee-eaters nest. Big views open out across the Genal valley to the mountain of La Crestelina and you'll now spot green and white waymarking.
At the next fork by a white building, just to the left of the track, bear right (25 mins). The track drops down through groves of almonds and carobs, skirting round beneath the village. At the end of the street, just past Bar Portisuelo, turn right and climb for 30m then swing left on a track that immediately begins to descend. Throughout the walk you're treated to soaring views out across the Genal valley and back to the hilltop chapel and the castle above Gaucín. There are lovely sections of ancient path, a fair amount of track and even a short section of what is reputedly Roman road. This easy half-day walk skirts round the mountain beneath the beautiful village of Gaucín then cuts down into the Genal valley to the Ermita de Juan de Dios, a mountain chapel where a colourful annual pilgrimage is held.
It is a no through road so you will return the same way. The village has remained remarkably unspoiled, with winding narrow streets ill-suited to the motor car, and a picturesqueness which almost makes it seem like a specially-created film set. Known as ´La Sartén de Andalucía´ (the frying pan of Andalucía), Benahavis is home to a wide variety of restaurants serving the very best of traditional,… More → It has the highest concentration of high class restaurants in the region and draws visitors by the thousand who come simply to savour the cuisine. Clear route description is illustrated with mapping, and the route summary table and 'at a glance' information boxes make it easy to choose the right walk.
LA CALA DE MIJAS – THE CENTRE OF MIJAS COSTA
It should not be assumed that restaurants are the only eating places in Benahavís. All too often this is easier said than done, and the best alternative is to drive carefully to the Restaurante Los Faroles on calle Málaga, beside which an enterprising villager has turned a rare spot of unused land into a welcome and cheap car park. If possible, a parking space should be found at the entrance to the village and the tour of its streets undertaken on foot. But this is not being allowed to attack the old village, and the visitor who remains steadfastly at its centre, as most do, might almost be unaware of their existence.
Hotels in Benahavís
Soon you pass by an odd group of modern buildings to the left of the track. Take the left hand option and head up a wonderful old section of track which climbs up between ancient groves of almonds. When you come to leave, with your back to the main entrance of the chapel, up ahead you'll see tracks to both left and right. After crossing over a rocky scree slope the track passes just to the left of the pylon. (8) Here bear sharply right on a track (marked by a cairn) which heads up towards the mountain of El Hacho before looping back round to the left. Conveninet for Gaucin village or the hiistoric town of Ronda.