If you’re looking for outdoor activities to enjoy during your visit to Málaga, Benalmádena or the surrounding areas, going on hiking routes in Benalmádena might be one of those experiences you won’t forget.
So, which are the best routes in Benalmádena?
As is often the case with these things, it depends on what you’re looking for. The great thing is that Benalmádena’s trails are incredibly varied: there are options for all kinds of people, from easy routes for beginners or families to more complex ones for those seeking demanding experiences that truly test their abilities.
If you’re wondering what to do in Benalmádena and you love nature, the decision should be very simple: we’re sure you’ll love the routes we propose below. In addition to stunning landscapes, you’ll get to know up close the local countryside and its architectural and cultural heritage.
Here is our list of options for hiking in Benalmádena. But be warned! Don’t interpret this as a ranking from best to worst – as we mentioned before, it all depends on the kind of experience you’re after and on your physical condition or abilities. Let’s get started!
The 7 Best Hiking Routes in Benalmádena
Trail del Arroyo del Pantano
The Arroyo del Pantano trail in Benalmádena is a new pedestrian trail that reaches right up to the bridge before passing under the railway tracks. It is a circular route of moderate difficulty that can be completed in just over an hour.
Recently refurbished, this trail of approximately 1,200 metres connects Avenida Arroyo Hondo with Parque Ibn Al-Baytar, a 21-hectare green space under development. The project includes improvements such as new access points, wooden and metal walkways, and a paved area crossing the railway line.
Furthermore, street furniture and riverside vegetation have been installed, creating an ideal environment for walks and outdoor activities. With gentle gradients and plenty of shade, the route allows you to enjoy the botanical diversity of the area. It is designed for outdoor activities such as hiking, running, cycling, and walking your pets.
This trail is especially adapted so that anyone can walk it. In this way, it contributes to the improvement of locals’ quality of life and promotes healthy lifestyles, making it an attraction for both residents and visitors.
Key Details
- Start: Avenida Arroyo Hondo
- End: Parque Ibn Al-Baytar
- Distance: 1.2 km
- Difficulty: Easy
Arroyo de los Muertos route
The Arroyo de los Muertos route is ideal for hikers who want to enjoy the landscapes of Benalmádena. It begins in the north of Arroyo de la Miel, on the road that encircles the urban area, and after two kilometres reaches a fork.
From there, you can choose either to continue towards the summit of Monte Calamorro, at 770 metres above sea level, on a five-kilometre walk, or to follow the alternative Ermita route. This second option goes along the southern and eastern slopes of the mountain, reaching Cueva del Toro at 550 metres, in a journey of two and a half kilometres.
Although this is not a difficult route and does not require previous hiking experience, it is advisable to have a basic level of fitness in order to enjoy a satisfactory and trouble‐free experience.
Key Details
- Start: Lower underpass of the A-7 motorway, north of Arroyo de la Miel. Carretera del Cementerio (175 m).
- End: Two possibilities – either to the Ermita on the eastern slope of Cerro Calamorro (550 m) or to the Calamorro summit (772 m).
- Distance: Approximately 5 km to the summit of Calamorro, and 2.3 km to the Ermita from the crossroads.
- Difficulty: Moderate
What you’ll see on the Arroyo de los Muertos route
The route to Cerro Calamorro begins in the north of Arroyo de la Miel, near the cemetery, and after about 700 metres, you take a tarmac road that crosses a landscape of Aleppo pines and gravel terrains. After two kilometres, you come upon a trail that ascends to Calamorro, overcoming a steep gradient until you reach Puerto de las Ovejas.
The walk then continues towards Puerto Viejo, offering panoramic views of the Guadalhorce Valley and the quarries of Alhaurín. The final stretch ascends in a zigzag along the western slope until reaching the cable car facilities, from where several viewpoints can be accessed. The summit provides a spectacular view of Benalmádena, Montes de Málaga, the Guadalhorce Valley, and the Mediterranean Sea, with characteristic vegetation such as kermes oak, rosemary, esparto grass, and small pines.
The alternative route to the Ermita begins at the same point as the Calamorro route. After walking about 700 metres, you turn right onto Calle Ágave and follow a rocky trail along the southern and eastern slopes of Calamorro. Along the way, you reach the Ermita, a small mound with an image set in a recess. From there, you can continue to Cueva del Toro, of great archaeological interest for its cave paintings of a headless bovid dated around 20,000 years ago. (Access to the cave is currently closed; it is situated at around 500 metres and consists of three small stepped chambers.)
Leñadores trail
This hiking trail in Benalmádena, of medium difficulty, is perfect for those looking for a slightly more advanced experience without it being too challenging. Covering around 3 kilometres with an elevation gain of 500 metres, it begins on the A-368 road, which connects Benalmádena with Arroyo de la Miel, near the old landfill, and ends at Puerto Viejo, at 650 metres above sea level.
Throughout this walk, you will enjoy a landscape of esparto grass, accompanied by shrubs such as ephedras, junipers, and fan palms, as well as low-growing pines dotting the trail.
Key Details
- Start: Access road to the old landfill, in front of the petrol station, on the A-368 road that links Benalmádena Pueblo with Arroyo de la Miel.
- End: Puerto Viejo, situated at 625 m altitude.
- Distance: Approximately 3 km
What you’ll see on the Leñadores trail
The trail begins on a steep tarmac road leading to the old landfill, crossing the A-7 motorway via an overpass. Since the landfill was sealed in 2000, the area is undergoing recovery, with vegetation gradually covering the embankment left by the works.
The path continues by ascending along the base of a quarry, zigzagging along its southern flank until reaching an elevated area. From there, it heads north-east, passing along the western slope of Calamorro until arriving at Puerto Viejo.
Along the way, the vegetation varies between esparto grass, shrubs such as aulaga and juniper, and scattered pines, while in Puerto Viejo several routes converge, providing access to viewpoints and other points of interest like Cerro Guerrero and Calamorro. From this point, panoramic views of the Guadalhorce Valley and the quarries of Alhaurín de la Torre can be enjoyed.
Quejigal route
The Quejigal route in Benalmádena offers a three-kilometre walk that begins on the A-368 road, which connects Benalmádena with Arroyo de la Miel, near the motorway viaduct. From there, you can either continue towards Castillejo or head east until you reach Puerto Viejo, where you can connect with the Route del Arroyo de los Muertos or the Trail de los Leñadores.
The main attraction of this route is the transformation of the vegetation as you ascend, especially around 425 metres of altitude, where the river channels have favoured the growth of dense vegetation, dominated by oleanders and brambles. The Route del Quejigal is an easy hiking option, ideal for enjoying the natural beauty of the area.
Key Details
- Start: Road from Benalmádena Pueblo – Arroyo de la Miel at the level of the motorway viaduct, at 175 m altitude.
- End: Junction with Route 6, at 580 m altitude.
- Distance: 8 km
- Difficulty: Easy
What you’ll see on the Quejigal route
It begins on the bend of the regional road 407, near Arroyo Hondo, where a detour towards Benalmádena is taken. The walk goes along the slope of a small hill, passing through a landscape of pines, carob trees, and wild olive groves, and ventures into the Sierra de Castillejos.
Along the way, you follow the old water conduit that once supplied Benalmádena, passing historic kiosks and the Camino de Benalmádena until you reach the area known as El Quejigal. This space, of great ecological value, has been regenerated after fires and offers a varied flora and fauna, where you can spot eagles and mountain goats.
The route reaches up to Cerro de la Cruz (or Cerro Guerrero), and from there you can continue to Puerto Viejo or connect with other trails in the area. It is ideal for those seeking to enjoy a peaceful environment, with water available year-round and impressive views.
Tajos de Sabia route
The Tajos de Sabia route, with just over 4.5 kilometres of walk, is an excellent hiking option in Benalmádena for those looking to connect with nature without straying too far from the urban centre. The trail starts from Avenida Juan Luis Peralta in Benalmádena Pueblo and finishes at the junction with the Route del Sendero de los Cazadores, at the Tajos de Sabia, at 700 metres altitude.
Just a few metres from the start, the path presents a fork that allows you to adapt the walk to your desired level: the left option offers a more gradual and simple ascent, while the right detour goes laterally along the mountain, beginning the climb after approximately 400 metres. Both variants rejoin at around 450 metres, offering from that point on a common route to the finish.
Key Details
- Start: In Benalmádena Pueblo, at the main Avenida Juan Luis Peralta, at the corner with Calle Luis Cernuda (250 m).
- End: Junction with Route 6, under the Tajos de Sabia, at 700 m altitude.
- Distance: Just over 4.5 km until the junction with Route 6.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on the chosen variant.
What You’ll See on the Tajos de Sabia route
This route in Benalmádena begins on Calle Luis Cernuda, ascending to a playground where access is gained to a staircase located in a drainage arch on the A-7 motorway. From there, you cross the motorway via a drainage tube, starting the dirt trail. The first half of the walk is the most demanding, with an elevation gain of 400 metres to reach 550 m altitude. In that section, you pass a junction that connects with other variants of Route 4 or with Route 3.
The second part of the walk has a gentler incline, rising up to 700 m, with broad views of the mountain range. The vegetation varies according to the aspect: on the south side there is degraded rockrose with esparto, rosemary and fan palms, while on the north side the coverage intensifies with pine forests, kermes oak, and even some holm oaks. Along the way, you can observe the course of the Regajo del Quejigal, where flowering oleanders in summer add a striking colour contrast to the landscape.
Mina de la Trinidad trail
This hiking trail, with over five kilometres of walk, requires a slightly higher level of physical fitness than some of the easier options in the area. It starts from the west of Benalmádena, following the A-368 road, and offers two possible finishes: a more demanding one that culminates at Cerro del Moro at 925 metres altitude, and a more accessible one that finishes at Mina de la Trinidad at 450 metres.
Key Details
- Start: To the west of Benalmádena Pueblo, along A-368 Avenida de Retamar, at about 260 m altitude, at the entrance to the urbanisation Retamar.
- End: Below Cerro del Moro, at 925 m altitude; Mina de la Trinidad, located at 450 m altitude.
- Distance: 2 km to Mina de la Trinidad; just over 6 km to Cerro del Moro.
- Difficulty: Moderate to high
What you’ll see on the Mina de la Trinidad route
The route starts on A-368 (Avenida de Retamar) and ascends gently to a lower pass that crosses under the A-7 motorway. There, the path splits: the northern branch follows the course of the ravine until it disappears into the vegetation at about 400 m altitude, while the western branch continues climbing towards Mina de la Trinidad. Up to this point, the landscape shows degraded vegetation dominated by esparto grass, dotted with pines, junipers, and wild olive trees.
From the mine, the most demanding section of the walk begins, as the path climbs steeply up to Cerro del Moro, reaching 875 m altitude. Despite the effort, the reward is in the spectacular views: one can see Fuengirola, Mijas, the Sierra de Mijas, much of the coast, and the entirety of Benalmádena. The vegetation remains predominantly esparto, although on the slopes towards Mijas small groups of pines and traces of kermes oak, along with low-growing holm oaks, become apparent.
Cazadores route
For the more adventurous hikers, the Route de los Cazadores stands out as the longest option in Benalmádena’s network of trails, with over 6 kilometres of walk. It starts from Cerro del Moro and finishes at Puerto Viejo, a key point where several routes converge. One of its main advantages is its negative elevation change of 300 metres, making it a long but moderately demanding trek.
Key Details
- Start: South of Cerro de Castillejo, at about 925 m altitude. This point can be reached via the road leading to the television repeater, from the A-368 road in the municipality of Mijas.
- End: Puerto Viejo, at 625 m altitude.
- Distance: Just over 5 km to Puerto Viejo.
- Difficulty: Moderate-high
What you’ll see on the Cazadores route
This route traverses, from east to west, the highest areas of Benalmádena’s mountains. From the start, it descends towards the ravine of Arroyo de las Cañitas and runs along the edge of Arroyo del Quejigal, passing under the Tajos de Sabia until it meets Route 4. In this section, you walk along a scrubland with pines and some scattered holm oaks, followed by dense pine forests that sometimes form natural tunnels over the trail. The slopes near Calamorro and Cerro del Moro still harbour some of the densest woodland masses in the area.
After passing the Tajos de Sabia, the incline softens and the trail continues among rosemary, kermes oak, pines, and junipers. It then descends towards the junction with Route 3, and rises again while crossing a rocky area and reforested zones until reaching the pass that leads to Cerro Guerrero—a point offering panoramic views of the walk. From there, only 500 metres remain to reach Puerto Viejo, on an almost level stretch that allows you to take in the surroundings of the Puerto Viejo stream and the eastern slope of Calamorro.
Explore the trail network of Benalmádena
For several years now, Benalmádena has developed a basic network of trails, promoted by the City Council through various improvement projects. You can access the trails map here. These measures have adapted the existing paths to make them more accessible, improving the surface, signage, and gradients.
Currently, the municipality boasts around 45 kilometres of trails that offer spectacular views of the coast and allow you to discover sites of great geological, botanical, and faunistic interest. Most of the routes are located in the Benalmádena mountains, between Montes Calamorro and Castillejos, and form part of the Gran Senda de Málaga, in its Mijas–Benalmádena and Benalmádena–Alhaurín de la Torre stages.
Remember that you can ascend to the summit of Monte Calamorro, 770 metres above sea level, thanks to the comfortable cable cars of Teleférico Benalmádena. In fact, you can even start some of the hiking routes in Benalmádena from there.
