Family-friendly walking holidays in Costa del Sol
Costa del Sol, Málaga
Summer time has officially begun, and that means families are planning their great scapes from their living rooms and into the fresh air. Now is the perfect time to get outdoors and experience what Málaga countryside has to offer. Málaga province is a place there’s a lot of beautiful natural landscape around which you can walk through and be face to face with wildlife and incredible surroundings. Let’s find out some family friendly river walks near Málaga.
Just a short drive from Málaga city you can spend a pleasant morning or afternoon. Explore these trails with your little ones this summer:
Río Chillar river trail in Nerja: the hike for children
In the eastern part of the province of Malaga between the municipalities of Competa and Nerja in the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park, the Chillar River is the perfect place to escape the hot summer sun.
In particular, the source of the Rio Chillar is in the heart of the park 1,200 metres above sea level where it flows 17 kilometres through a deep gorge before joining the Río Higuerón and eventually emptying into the Mediterranean Sea.
As can be seen, a walk up the River Chillar in Nerja is a great way to cool down on a hot summer’s day! It is also family-friendly, meaning it couldn’t be too strenuous of a hike if children can handle it.
- Location: Sierras de Almijara, Alhama and Granada National Park, 40 miles east of Málaga airport
- Length: 12-mile out-and-back
- Difficulty Rating: Easy
- Dogs: Leashed
Here, the 8-kilometre hike follows the winding path of the river through limestone canyons and is littered with pools and waterfalls that are ideal for cooling off or even taking a swim. Being situated in a national park the hike is available to the public year round. However, we must be cautious during periods of rain as the river is susceptible to flash flooding.
Consequently, the ideal time of year to hike the river is between March and October bearing in mind that it can be busy with hikers during July and August.
For this reason, the best parts of this hike were splashing through the cool, clear water in the shade and winding through rock formations carved out by the river. It is a relaxing walk through water in the heat of the day, because most of the hike is under the trees. It is our first family friendly river walks near Málaga.
The Benahavís river walk for children in the Guadalmina river
The trail is located just few minutes from the entrance to the town of Benahavís. The river walking route starts jumping into a deep pool from the tall rocks that surround it.
- Location: Benahavís, 32 miles west of Málaga airport and 30 miles east of Gibraltar airport.
- Total distance: 5 miles
- Hike time: 4 hours (total)
- Difficulty Rating: Easy
- Total ascent:
- Highest elevation:
- Best For: Exploring a fantastic scenery
- Dogs: Unleashed
Recently, Benahavis footpath expanded, so that hikers can enjoy riverside walk. A walk up the River Guadalmina in Benahavís is a great way to cool down on a hot summer’s day! It was also labelled as family-friendly, meaning it couldn’t be too strenuous of a hike if children can handle it.
The Istán river walk for children in the green river
A short journey of 15 km inland from the busy beaches and constant consumerism of Marbella on the Costa del Sol takes you to another world and the southern edges of the Parque Natural Sierra de las Nieves.
Furthermore, the beautiful mountain village of Istán is an enchanting and enchanted Garden of Eden in the mountains just outside Marbella Town. It is located in the verdant valley of the Río Verde and overlooks the stunning lakeside scenery of the La Concepción reservoir and the Mediterranean sea beyond.
- Location: Sierra de Las Nieves National Park, 40 miles west of Málaga airport
- Length: 12-mile out-and-back
- Difficulty Rating: Easy
- Dogs: Leashed
In other words, this walk takes you to the best-known natural freshwater pool in the municipal district and perhaps one of the most impressive places on the Verde river. It is a very easy walk, suitable for all the family. However, bear in mind that the walk described is point to point, so it will be twice as long if you plan to walk back.
