Sendero del Mirador (Malaga) – PR-A 119 Trail

TheSendero del Mirador (Malaga) – PR A 119 Trail starts in the city centre, right next to Malaga City Hall. We begin our route in Puerta Oscura Gardens towards the Municipal Museum, which we reach in 250 metres. From here, we go up the stairs in the garden towards the foot of the Alcazaba fortress. From this point, we can enjoy some beautiful views and catch our first glimpse of the towers of the Alcazaba, continuing along good, paved path which leads to the Parador Nacional de Gibralfaro hotel on our right, until reaching the gates of Gibralfaro Castle.

From the gates of the castle, we start down along the main street, ignoring the streets leading off to adjoining residential areas. The descent continues to the junction with Calle Camino Nuevo. Here we go to our left, down a little and then to the right, towards Conde Ureña, through the neighbourhood along its main street and then take Camino de Seminario, just below “monte de las tres letras”.

Camino del Seminario runs through an area of pines trees to the west of Victoria Hill and leads onto Camino de los Almendrales. At this roundabout we follow the signs for “Club Hípico”.

From Camino de los Almendrales, we walk up towards the pine trees of Pinar del Arroyo Toquero, up a long hill that takes us over the Malaga ring-road motorway. On our left there is a stream. Continuing along the asphalt track, we pass by a junction towards the Cañada Alta Equestrian Centre, where we carry straight on.

Here we start our way up to Venta El Mirador. Following the trail we pass through the gateway to the Club Hípico (horse riding club), where the tarmac ends. We continue up until reaching a sign on our left that says “Propiedad privada, prohibido el paso” (Private property, No Entry). However, this area is frequently crossed by people on mountain bikes.

From here, we now only have to follow the main track, passing by Casa Sedeño after about 800 m. We continue up around some sharp bends to Venta El Mirador. This is the highest attraction on our route (515 m), where have beautiful views of Malaga and the area we will be crossing on our way down towards the sea.

Once at El Mirador, we go up the Los Montes road some 800 m until Lagar de San Enrique, where we turn right down a gentle slope between the shade of the pines and past some old winepresses, such as Lagar la Choza. At all crossroads and junctions, we keep going straight on along the main track, which we eventually leave and turn left, passing by Lagar El Cerrao, a magnificent example of what were once large winepresses on the hills of Malaga. In about 1 km we reach the Arroyo Jaboneros stream, where we turn right and start our way down alongside the stream, which will be our main guide until reaching a striking artificial reservoir. Here we can leave the stream and follow the track or continue along the stream, which is what we are going to do.

By following the stream, we can't go wrong, we just have to keep on the easiest path, as there are no significant slopes or drops. The surface of the streambed corresponds to one that has reasonable levels of water in autumn and winter, and different materials dragged with the flow are deposited on the dry bed, but it is not difficult to walk along.

Upon reaching the district known as La Mosca we can leave the stream and continue down through the streets to the right of the stream until the end of our route: the beaches of Pedregalejo - El Palo.

The sea will greet us, and at the numerous bars and restaurants in the area we can enjoy some great local food.