ALHAURIN – LA BOLA DE MIJAS (Loop)
The group will meet in the car park of the Hotel El Mirador in Alhaurin and car share to the start point of the walk in the forest below the Fuente del Acebuche. From here a well defined forest path ascends past the Casa Forestal del Guardamontes and up the wooded valley towards La Bola at the summit of the Pico de Mijas (1,150m). This is a long and demanding climb taking close to two hours to complete.
All of the effort is rewarded by the panoramic views available at the top. On a clear day it is possible to see Gibraltar, the Rif mountains of Morocco, the port of Málaga and the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada beyond, as well as the many white villages of the Guardalhorce Valley. Lunch will be taken here. It is recommended to bring a warm jacket as it can be windy at the summit.
The descent is more gentle, mostly following a wide and well-made forest road that loops to the west with excellent views of the Sierra de las Nieves. The total time for the walk should be around 4.5 hours.
Directions to the Meeting Place
From the meeting place at Hotel El Mirador there will be a car share to the starting point of the walk.
From Alhaurín de la Torre/Málaga/airport
Coming from the airport go past Churriana and Alhaurín de la Torre on the A-404 keeping the hill to the left; the hotel is on the right hand side, 5 mins after passing Lauro Golf on the way to Alhaurín el Grande. This is the meeting place.
From Marbella/Coín
From the A-355, turn off at the signpost for Coín and Fuengirola & Mijas. Turn in the direction of Fuengirola and Mijas and go 6km along the MA-3303 until the roundabout at Venta Los Morenos (and the A-7053 from Fuengirola). Turn left at the roundabout towards Alhaurín el Grande. After 2km turn right at a small roundabout by an official Tobacco shop, go up the hill, along the top keeping straight all the time until a roundabout at Parque de la Libertad where the road goes left down hill for 100 metres. On reaching a roundabout with a stone cross on it take the first exit on the right in the direction of Alhaurín de la Torre and Málaga. Continue past shops and restaurants. The Hotel El Mirador is on the left hand side, 1.5km along the A-404 after the BP garage at the end of the village. There is ample parking space and a nice terrace for coffee and drinks. This is the meeting place.