Competa Nature Walks on the Costa del Sol in Spain

Competa Nature Walks

Competa Nature Walks are some of the most popular things to do in the Competa region. The national park and the Sierras Almijara and Tejeda rise directly behind the village of Competa and offer a large variety of walks.

The summer in Competa is very hot, so an active walking holiday during the summer is not the best time. During the rest of the year the climate is agreeable, usually 10 to 15 degrees C higher than in Britain or the Netherlands. For a walking holiday in Competa autumn, winter and spring are advisable.

Spaniards in general are not fans of nature walks, so it often happens that while you are walking you won't encounter any other walkers. Competa is an ideal starting point for a varied walking holiday, in the national park, Parque Natural de las Sierras Almijara y Tejeda.

Walking guides for the Competa area
25 walks in and around Competa and Canillas de Albaida, written in English by Albert and Dini Kraaijenzank, on sale in many shops in Competa. This book guides you mainly on walks in Competa's surroundings. The maps of the book unfortunately cannot be relied on.

Disfrutar caminando por el Parque Natural de las Sierras Almijara y Tejeda, written in Spanish by Jesus Cuartero Zueco and Cayetano Casado Bolivar, is also on sale in Competa. This book guides you on more than 50 walks in the national park. In the book are charts with height differences that accompany each walk.

Some of the more popular walks in Competa
Trial walk Competa (640 meters)
Canillas de Albaida (640 meters)
Archez (330 meters)
Competa-Observation hut (1139 meters)
Rio Torrox (430 meters)
Competa-Puerto Blanquillo (1208 meters)
Fabrica de Luz-Competa (7 hours)
Canillas de Aceituno (630 meters)
La Maroma (2067 meters)
Salares (610 meter)

Rules of the Sierras mountains
1. From May to October it hardly ever rains so everything is very dry, so never throw away cigarette ends on your walks and never make a fire in the national park.
2. The weather in the mountains can change very quickly, so don’t walk alone, especially not on the higher walks. Always take a compass, a good map and extra waterproof clothing with you.
3. Always take abundant drinking water and sun protection.
4. Always wear good walking shoes and long trousers.

On most walks you can enjoy some truly unforgettable views. If the weather is clear, you can look south see as far as Africa and the Atlas mountains of Morocco, and Gibraltar, as well as the Sierra Nevada in the east.