The great thing about owning a Costa del Sol holiday home is that it’s so easy to visit several times a year and explore new, exciting parts of Andalucía. With Malaga and Gibraltar Airports close by and budget flights still cheap as chips, seeing more of Malaga province has never been more convenient or enjoyable. With a 50-km drive of Marbella there are plenty of things to do and see, for example Bobastro and El Chorro, the Rio Guadalhorce valley and Caminito del Rey gorge.
Garganta del Chorro
The imposing Garganta del Chorro lies about 50 km to the northwest of Malaga. It is a huge natural fissure spanning 4 kilometres in length, sometimes gaping 10 metres wide and offering climbers a spine-tingling 400 metres of depth to explore. The gorge is very popular with climbers, offering hundreds of routes at every grade of difficulty imaginable. As the gorge is connected to the main railway in and out of Malaga via the tiny hamlet of El Chorro village, it’s a great destination of a walk in the countryside too, and hikers can stare down into the “abyss” without having to risk their limbs climbing down into it. It’s a breathtaking view, and there are numerous trails hikers can explore in the region – indeed, the GR-7 hiking trail passes right through El Chorro village.
Following it to the West will take walkers to Babastro. Heading east will take them to Sendero de Haza del Rio. Both trails are full day hikes starting from the train station. Some 9km west from the village sits the lovely reservoir Embalse del Conde Guadalhorce, an area offering two easy circular hikes, which includes the 5-km hike Sendero del Gaitanejo. A pleasant restaurant, the Restaurante El Mirador, overlooks the reservoir, presenting a good focal point for the return hike.
El Chorro is also a good starting point for adventure leisure activities. Some 2km outside of the village a Swiss-owned company, Finca La Campana, offers organised adventure activities like kayaking and climbing, as well as mountain bike rentals and tours.
Bobastro
Back in the 9th century the rebellious Omar ibn Hafsun was the Moorish equivalent of Britain’s Robin Hood and he used Bobastro as his hilltop fortress and refuge. He led a long revolt against Cordoban rule, at one point in history being so powerful that he controlled the lands stretching from Cartagena to the Strait of Gibraltar. The top of the hill, about 2.5 km distance from the road, still shows the remains of his rectangular alcázar, his Moorish fortress.
Starting at El Chorro village on the western side of the valley, it is possible to hike the 4km distance to Bobastro by taking the road downhill from the train station, crossing the dam and turning left after 400m at the GR-7 trail’s signpost. Although the first 2 km of the trail are a bit challenging on account of their gradient, most of the remainder is flat and eventually even downhill. The views at the top across El Chorro are simply unforgettable.
Right next to El Chorro train station stands an old flour mill, which has been converted into a small hotel. La Garganta is a lovely rural hotel complete with restaurant, swimming pool and bundles of agricultural heritage. It’s a good base for a couple of nights, allowing hikers, climbers and kayaking fans to take their time exploring this beautiful part of Andalucía before returning to their holiday homes in Marbella or taking the train back to Malaga.