Walkwise Winter Walking in Spanish Andalucía Country & Coast

Southern Andalucía offers us hiking through an extraordinary diversity of landscapes. On the one hand this region offers the white mountain villages and isolated rural dwellings (cortijos), fairy tale forests, hidden valleys and gorges and onto airy crests and limestone mountain ridges with remote tarns and on the other hand there is the impressive coastal scenery, picturesque cliffs, fishing villages idyllic long beaches. We must also experience the cultural heritage of the Moors who contributed much to the fascination of this region. Their names are caught up in the mountains, rivers and towns and their legacy mixed in with the architecture, cultivation and agricultural methods. In Competa itself the landscape is dominated by the Sierras de Tajeda and Almijara and we’ll look to experience the quieter walks though the orange and olive groves and through oak woodland to the bridge of the Arabs. We’ll traverse the old bridle trails mixed with the ancient paths linking the villages that cross in the footsteps of charcoal burners, miners, smugglers and bandits (bandoleros) too! And when we finish our walking for the day we’ll no doubt find a drinking hole to quench our parched throats….bless us

With such a wealth of habitats and scenery our walking program is varied to say the least. Each day you can choose from two walks, either take it easy, walking 7-9 miles with between 300 & 1200ft of ascent, or push yourself a little, doing 8-12 miles with potentially around 2,000ft – 3,000 ascent (some hard walks require a good head for heights).

Our first hotel is another little gem from our friends at Hidden Corners of Spain, surrounded by white houses, flowered balconies, narrow and winding streets, vineyards and in the background the Sierra de la Almijara and the blue colour of the Mediterranean. The rooms and bungalows of the Hotel and Apartments Balcón de Cómpeta are located in one of the most beloved towns of Málaga. This is Cómpeta, in the region of La Axarquía, Andalucía and only just over an hour from our chosen Airport at Malaga.

https://www.hotel-competa.com/en/

Please be advised Andrew has changed the 2^nd hotel for a more suitable one. This hotel is the one we originally wanted but couldn’t get. I then settled for the Torrox Costa instead. After I went to reconnoitre the walks and stayed in the hotel I realised it wasn’t as good for us as the one in Nerja. After reapplying I managed to secure the Hotel Perla Marina which in itself is not easy. It’s an ideal location, quiet but also just a few minutes from the centre of Nerja. Nothing else has changed.  

The 2nd Hotel:

Our sumptuous 4 star Hotel Perla Marina, is located right on the beach and next to the Balcon de Europa, with wonderful views. It’s just 1km from the shops in the town of Nerja. Rooms at the hotel are of vanguard style and equipped with the necessary amenities for a cosy stay in Nerja. Services include Air Conditioning, Heating, Free Wifi ,Telephone, Pay TV and Minibar.

https://www.hotelperlamarina.com/en/

Provisional Flight information

31/10/2025      London Gatwick to Malaga Dep: 0630    Arr: 1030

07/11/2025      Malaga to London Gatwick Dep: 1115     Arr: 1305

31/10/2025     Manchester to Malaga Dep: 0625         Arr: 1025

07/11/2025      Malaga to Manchester Dep: 1125       Arr: 1340

31/10/2025     Birmingham to Malaga Dep: 0630       Arr: 1030

07/11/2025     Malaga to Birmingham Dep: 1130   Arr: 1335

31/10/2025     Edinburgh to Malaga Dep: 0600       Arr: 1025

07/11/2025     Malaga to Edinburgh Dep: 1120   Arr: 1350

Luggage Allowance

Luggage allowance for London Gatwick is 23kg checked in luggage and a small under the seat bag.

Luggage allowance for Manchester, Birmingham & Edinburgh is 22kg checked in luggage and a 10kg cabin bag

*Please note there is an option to add more luggage at an extra cost.

Transfers

It’s just over 1 hour transfer to the first hotel, where we can get on with the more important things, enjoying the holiday!

The second transfer is only just over half an hour so we are well situated on this holiday. 

Finally, it’s less than 1 hour back to Malaga from the 2^nd hotel.  

Passport validity

For UK passport holders your passport must be:

• Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
• You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.

Travel Insurance

Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel.

EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operations on 12 October 2025. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be deployed gradually across the external borders of the 29 European countries over a period of 6 months. These European countries will introduce the different elements of the EES in phases, including the collection of biometric data, such as facial image and fingerprints. This means that travellers’ biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) might not be collected at every border crossing point right away, and their personal information may not be registered in the system. Passports will continue to be stamped as usual. 

This progressive implementation will last until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, the EES will be fully operational at all external border crossing points of the European countries using the system.

Further information on the EES can be found on the following link - https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/ltr

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)

Starting in end 2026 UK citizens are required to have a travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for a short stay. ETIAS travel authorisation is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.

With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.

NB - There is no official date for the ETIAS currently confirmed but when it is introduced it will be your responsibility to ensure that you have arranged this. We will update everyone when the ETIAS is required with information on how to apply for this online.

Global Health Insurance Card

A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).

UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) are still valid and offer the same cover as GHICs in the EU.

Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll be able to replace it with a GHIC.

NB – A GHIC/EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance!

The latest FCO travel guidance for Spain -

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain