Cómpeta Based walking holiday

Guided walks through the mountains and white villages of the Axarquia

“So many thanks for a really wonderful holiday. We had such a great time and cannot thank you enough for your great hospitality. It is a holiday we will never forget”

Spanish Steps – Cómpeta Based walking holiday
Cómpeta is a thriving ‘pueblo blanco’ nestling under the Sierras Almijara and Tejeda, just 12 miles from the Mediterranean and an hour by road from Malaga airport. The south facing slopes enjoy one of the sunniest climates in Europe and provide wonderful and varied opportunities for walking for many months of the year. This unique pueblo has been our base in Spain for over 20 years and Spanish Steps is very much a part of the local Spanish community.

The program for our Competa walking holidays include five guided walks plus a rest day. We have a great variety of walking routes, some start from the house and some involve short road transfers using our own 4×4 vehicles. Walking times are normally around 5 hours but there is never any rush and there are no route marches or dangerous paths. Accommodation is in our own Spanish Steps town house or the Posada del Cani close to the main plaza in Cómpeta. Meals throughout the week are taken at a variety of our favourite local restaurants and excellent full breakfasts are provided in the plaza – al fresco. Transfers from and back to Malaga airport are provided at specified times.

Itinerary & Walks – Cómpeta walking Holiday

Day 1 – Arrival day
The road transfer from Malaga airport to Cómpeta takes about an hour. Time to settle into the house, explore the pueblo and perhaps some tapas or a siesta for those that made an early start. In the evening we meet on the roof terace for welcome drinks and a chance to discuss the program for the week. This is followed by dinner in one of the excellent restaurants in the Plaza Almijara which is also the venue for our breakfasts.

Day 2 – Walking over lemons

Our first circular walk is about six miles but we will experience all the types of terrain we will encounter on later walks. Which ever route we decide to take there will be great views of views of La Maroma, the highest mountain in our sierras plus eastern peaks, sweeping down to the Meditteranean. After a late lunch in Canillas de Albaida, we return on a pleasant level path back to Cómpeta. Walking time ±5 Hours

Day 3 – Into the sierras

A short transfer takes us up to the Puerto Collado and our first spectacular view of the Sierra Almijara sweeping down to the coast. After level walking from the Casa de La Mina, a steady climb takes us up to the centuries old path linking Cómpeta to Granada. We picnic at the ruin Venta Pradillas with great views to sea and, on a clear day, the African coast. We continue on the path around La Mina peak and then descend gently to Cómpeta and the coolest cerveca of the week. Walking time ± 5 Hours

Day 4 – White villages

The walk starts in Salares one of the oldest and prettiest of our pueblos blancos. The route leaves the village over a Roman bridge and takes a gentle river path up and around the base of La Maroma, at over 2,000 metres the highst peak in our sierras. The white villages constantly appear and disappear before we drop down to Sedella for drinks and a traditional travellers bandeja lunch. Walking time ± 5 Hours

Day 5 – Rest Day

Cómpeta is a very pleasant place to just ‘hang out’ with interesting shops, tapas bars, local swimming pool or perhaps a stroll to Canillas. For the more energetic, a self guided walk or a trip to the beach may be considered. The local bus is a pleasant 30 minutes experience and co-incides with the large weekly travelling market at Torre del Mar.

Day 6 – The abandoned village

This remote circular walk starts with a steady climb out of a valley but the effort is well worth it. The views up to the sierras and down to the Mediterranean are spectacular at every turn. For lunch we stop at the once adandoned village of El Acebuchal now brought back to life by Antonio and his enterprising family in a spectacular fashion. Walking time ± 5 Hours

Day 7 – Streams and summits

This last, circular walk explores the beautiful valley of the Cueva de Mielero (Cave of the Honey Maker) There are four easy stream crossings as we make our way up this remote ‘hidden’ valley. Once we have made our height, we have the choice of a gentle descent or climb to the summit of Cerro Verde. Both options end back at the stream, a truly delightful place to pause for drinks and perhaps dabble the feet before transfer back to Cómpeta. Walking time ± 5 Hours

Day 8 – Departure Day

After the last breakfast in the plaza, transfers to Malaga airport.

*We have a great choice of trails so we are able to change the program & walks to suit prevailing conditions or walking preferences of the group.

Accommodation & Food

Depending on group size and room requirements, accommodation for the seven nights will be in Spanish Steps Casa Rurale or, if extra rooms are needed, the Posada del Cani close by. Rooms with double occupancy will be allocated their own/en-suite bathroom. Single occupancy rooms may have to share bathroom facilities. Both these delightful village properties are located close to the bustling Plaza Almijara. This the meeting and focal point for our group holidays in Cómpeta and also where we enjoy generous ‘al fesco’ breakfasts each day.

Main meals of the day are provided (except for the rest day) at excellent local restaurants. Some are simple and others are sophisticated, but they all provide excellent local cuisine, one or two glasses of good complimentary wine and great atmosphere. We have breakfasts in the Plaza and for lunch we may stop for tapas on route or take bocadillos and fruit into the hills

Travel & More Information

The starting point for the holiday is Malaga airport with transfers at specified times to Cómpeta (normally leaving the airport no later than 2 pm). At the end of the week the transfer normally arrives back at Malaga airport around 10:30 am.

Depending on group size and room requirements, accommodation for the week will be in Spanish Steps Casa Rurale or the Posada del Cani if extra rooms are needed. Both these delightful village properties are located close to the bustling Plaza Almijara. This the meeting and focal point for our group holidays in Cómpeta and also where we enjoy generous ‘al fesco’ breakfasts each day.

Extra days

If you would like to extend your holiday and fancy something a little more relaxing do have a look at malagaeast.com. This excellent website provides useful information on coastal and inland villages’. The site also includes some very interesting historical information on El Acebuchal, Frigiliana and Maro, all of which feature on the walk. Another very informative website is Andalucia.com should you be looking for an extension to your Spanish Steps adventure
The historic centre of Malaga is also highly recommended for spending some extra time. There is much to see and enjoy and an overnight stay could be a great option if you are restricted to early return flights. Bus and train transfers from the city centre to the airport are inexpensive, frequent and convenient.

Dates & Prices – Cómpeta walking holiday

Please see Stop Press for latest information

What is included

- 7 Nights accommodation in Spanish Steps village house. All rooms are double or twins*.
- Main meal of the day with wine at excellent local restaurants (except on rest day).
- Full cooked or continental breakfasts.
- In house wine.
- Guided walks led by local Spanish speaking English guides.–
- 4×4 vehicle transfers to trail heads.
- Airport transfers from and back to Malaga airport at specified times.

*A nominal £75 supplement is charged to guests requesting single occupancy rooms (Exc Early Bird holiday).

Reviews & Visitors Book

“We just want to thank you for another wonderful week with Spanish Steps. It was terrific to lodge in your delightful casa rurale in Competa and to have such fabulous meals that you organized in the restaurants around the community. Of course, your choice of hiking routes gave us a great taste of the surrounding area, even if the rain changed some of the plans. And we can’t say enough about the guiding!! How could we have asked for a better holiday? Many thanks again.” Georgia and Russell (Ottawa)

Thank you for a brilliant holiday in Competa. We loved the house and the town, the meals were all delicious, and we particularly appreciated Andy’s hard work in tailoring the walks to suit people’s different needs, and the way he looked after us all and kept us entertained with stories and interesting information on the walks. His engaging and enthusiastic company really added to the pleasure of walking in the beautiful surroundings. Hope to see you all again in the future Helen & Clive (Sheffield)

“Thank you so so much for a brilliant holiday….the house, the meals out, the hospitality, the other travellers and the guiding. I didn’t want the holiday to end! I have already looked at what I can book next year! ” Christine (Cheshire)