Hiking in Andalusia: walks compared, permits and when to go

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The short answer

Andalusia has gorges, limestone plateaus, volcanic coast and the highest peak in mainland Spain. Spring and autumn suit most walks. Summer suits mainly the high Sierra Nevada.

• Easiest big walk to plan: the Caminito del Rey, with a ticket and a railing all the way.
• Permits: four trails in the Sierra de Grazalema need one. It is free, but numbers are limited.
• Check first: storms in early 2026 and a later fire damaged trails, and several walks below are closed or part-closed.
• Emergency number: 112.

The walks compared

Figures come from official trail sheets where we found them. “One way” means you must double the distance and time if you return the same way, or arrange transport.

For the Mulhacén, the Junta de Andalucía’s leaflet gives 7.3 km and 2 h 30 from the last minibus stop, the Paraje del Cascajar. Our Sierra Nevada guide names the Alto del Chorrillo, so confirm the stop when you book.

What is closed or limited now

We checked these on 4 November 2026. They change, so read the notices on the Junta’s Ventana del Visitante website before you go.

• Río Borosa: a notice of 28 October 2026 says bridge repairs leave only the stretch from the start to the Puente de los Caracolillos open, about 2 km according to an earlier Junta release. See our Cazorla guide.
• Garganta Verde: the Arroyo Bocaleones exit, used after the full canyon descent, is closed for emergency works after storm damage.
• Río Chíllar: Nerja town hall closed it in August 2023 because of fire risk and overcrowding. In May 2026, the press reported two bids to run a controlled reopening. A local guide updated in October 2026 still shows it closed, and we found no opening date.
• Bolonia and Tarifa: the Duna de Bolonia trail is closed from the archaeological site to the viewpoint, and the viewpoint itself is closed (notices of 22 September 2026). The Junta also shows Algarbes-Betijuelo as temporarily closed, and Los Lances as closed since a fire on 13 September 2026.
• Los Cahorros: we found no official trail sheet, so this popular gorge near Granada is not in the table above. A press report said Monachil town hall closed the path in January 2026 because of high water. One walker’s blog says some walkways were replaced in summer 2026 and the riverside path is still closed for works. We found no later official notice. The town hall’s page warns of difficult steps above drops, so ask it first (monachil.es).
• Vereda de la Estrella: we found no closure notice, but also no recent confirmation that it is clear, so ask the park office.

The best seasons by area

See also the best time to visit Andalusia.

Summer heat and fire rules

The Junta says its high fire danger period normally runs from 1 June to 15 October. In 2025 it was extended to 31 October, so the dates can move. Press reports of the 2026 rules say barbecues are banned on forest land, even in equipped areas. Trail sheets ask you not to light fires or throw away cigarettes.

These rules can limit where you walk, above all in Grazalema (see below). The heat is also a real risk: AEMET, Spain’s weather agency, recorded a 16-day heatwave in Andalusia in August 2025, with 45.2 °C in Seville. We’d start at first light, or choose a higher walk.

Permits and how to get them

The four permit trails are all in the Sierra de Grazalema. Permits are free, and dogs are not allowed.

How to apply: use the “Requiere autorización” button on each trail’s page on the Ventana del Visitante website, or contact the El Bosque visitor centre (626 37 04 40, [email protected]). You need names, ID or passport numbers, the date and the number of people. Weekends fill up, so we’d apply early.

Other bookings:

• Caminito del Rey: buy on caminitodelrey.info. It is closed on Mondays and in bad weather.
• Sierra Nevada minibus (SIAC): the Junta’s leaflet gives 671 56 44 06 for the south side and 671 56 44 07 for the north. The Junta warns that the service can change or stop without notice because of the weather, so confirm by phone.
• Cazorla: the reserve zones are open only on authorised 4x4 tours.

Safety

This is what official sources advise. Also read your own government’s travel advice, and check that your insurance covers hiking.

• Water: carry at least a litre on the Caminito and 2 litres on the high Sierra Nevada, where there is none. In the Poqueira, the Junta says to check that fountain water is safe to drink.
• Phone: call 112. The Junta warns that there may be no coverage, so avoid walking alone and tell someone your route and return time.
• Flash floods: Andalusia’s 112 service says not to camp or park in dry stream beds or beside rivers. Spain’s civil protection service says to move away from rivers and low ground and go higher. For the Bocaleones gorge, the Junta says not to enter after heavy rain or a yellow, orange or red rain warning on that day or in the 48 hours before. We’d use the same rule for every gorge.
• Mountain weather: summer afternoons can bring storms to the Sierra Nevada, and it is cold at 3,000 metres even in August. We’d be off the ridges by early afternoon. In a storm, civil protection says to avoid ridges and not to shelter under trees.
• Hunting: the Junta asks you to check for hunting before you walk.

Getting there without a car

Most trailheads are hard to reach without one, so see car hire in Andalusia if you can drive.

• Caminito del Rey: train from Málaga to El Chorro, then the shuttle to the start.
• Pueblos del Poqueira and the Mulhacén: Alsa bus from Granada to the villages, a few times a day. The minibus leaves from Capileira.
• Los Genoveses: bus from Almería to San José a few times a day. Then walk the dirt road, or take the summer shuttle.
• El Torcal, Grazalema and the Cazorla park: little or no bus service to the trails, so we’d use a tour.
• Vereda de la Estrella and Bolonia: we found no bus we could recommend to the trailhead.

Where to base yourself

• Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarras: Capileira, for the Poqueira and the minibus. Try Finca Los Llanos or other Alpujarras stays.
• Limestone and forest: Grazalema, or Cazorla for the Borosa.
• Near Málaga: La Garganta in El Chorro, or the Parador de Antequera.
• Coast: San José or Tarifa.

For a wider plan, see where to base yourself in Andalusia.

Guided options

A guide helps with summer rules, transport and high-mountain weather. Options include a guided hike in the Sierra de Grazalema, Mulhacén guided hikes, Caminito del Rey tours from Málaga and Cazorla hikes and 4x4 tours.

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