Spain, Andalucía, Malaga

Murcia

Date / Distance

Transport and Route Summary

Tue 4^th April 2005
3.8 km

Gibraltar East.
Bus. This was a short walk from Grand Casemates Square (Gibraltar) to the eastern side of the rock. We walked as far as it was possible to go. The road is closed because of a tunnel collapse. The rock has thousands of sea gulls as well as the barberry apes.

Wed 5^th April 2005
22.2 km

La Linea to Torre Guardiaro.
Bus. This was a pleasant walk along the beach and coastal paths. There were a few spots of rain and we got wet feet from paddling across small streams that were flowing after recent rain.

Thu 6^th April 2005
21.7 km

Torre Guardiaro to Estepona.
Bus. This stretch of coast is more built-up. Much of the coastal wilderness has gone. We fear that things will get even worse as we approach the major resorts.

Fri 7^th April 2005
3.2 km

Marbella Day Trip.
Bus. We took the bus to Marbella and researched more bus routes we would need later in the week. We walked from the bus station to the port and had ice cream and a nice lunch.

Sat 8^th April 2005
9 km

Estepona West to Estepona East.
This short walk was interesting because we saw the historic parts of Estepona as well as an Easter procession including military and youth groups. We enjoyed the sheep mascot who trotted along quite happily with no tether.

Sun 9^th April 2005
26.2 km

Estepona East to Marbella West.
Bus. A long dull plod along "golden miles". The worst bit was Puerto Banus. At this pretentious port we struggled through crowds admiring the millionaires on their gin palaces. We nearly bought a gold lame suit from Armani!

Mon 10^th April 2005
18.5 km

Marbella West to Cala de Mijas.
Bus. We completed the "golden mile" in Marbella at dawn meeting joggers and dog walkers. There was one fairly unspoiled stretch with dunes and pine woods. Most of the walk was past beach cafés and holiday accommodation.

Tue 11^th April 2005
23.1 km

Cala de Mijas to Torrequebrada.
Bus. Another day of "golden miles". Before Fuengirola, we left the coast and walked to a small island of woods and shrubs, not yet concreted over. Fuengirola was a long dull slog through crowds of tourists. It helped to think of Blackpool (things could be worse). Our spelling checker appropriately suggests Fungi as a suitable alternative for Fuengirola.

Wed 12^th April 2005
1.1 km

Short Walk.
Taxi and Bus. This was an amusing flop. The plan was to visit the Botanical Gardens (Jardin Botanico). The gardens on Gibraltar were very nice but these turned out to be a building site where, eventually, a few trees might be planted. We went to the beach instead.

Thu 13^th April 2005
23.9 km

Torrequebrada to Malaga.
Bus. At last we escaped the worst of the resorts. Torremolinos was smaller and more tasteful than Fuengirola. We crossed the Guadalhorce river on a dual carriageway bridge and headed towards central Malaga along the beach.

Fri 14^th April 2005
No walk

Ronda day trip.
Bus, Taxi and Bus. A pretty bus ride through the mountains to an interesting historic town.

Sat 15^th April 2005
16.5 km

Estepona Local Walk.
We headed inland, climbing about 1000 feet (300 metres). Of all the walks on this trip, this one had the most interesting terrain and plants.