Distance:  7 to 9 km                           Time:  3 to 4 hours                                    Difficulty Rating:  Varied          

Legend has it that there used to be nine separate walking routes between Nerja and Frigiliana (outside the obvious one of just walking up the main road in-between, of course), but the introduction of the motorway, together with the construction of individual villas and small urbanisations, has drastically cut this number down. However we ourselves have still been able to identify three such routes (and have added two more of our own) that are well worth undertaking. Hence, in principle, you could take any one of these routes out to Frigiliana, enjoy lunch in one of its delightful cafes and restaurants, and then return via a different route, giving a total of twenty (!) alternative ‘there-and-back’ combinations. However, if you after a really serious long distance walking day, you could always slot in one of the delightful walks around Frigiliana itself, before making your return journey.

The five routes from Nerja up to Frigiliana are shown on the map below, followed by brief descriptions of their character. Then, by clicking on their name link, you can proceed to the individual walk's description in the usual way. To access these walks in the reverse direction simply go to the 'Walks Around Frigiliana' section.

Nerja to Frigiliana (1) - via La Molineta  (coloured yellow)

This route takes you on a fairly flat course up by the side of the Rio Higuerón, until cutting off left up to the hamlet of La Molineta. It then continues on up the main road to Frigiliana.

Nerja to Frigiliana (2) - via the Higuerón Valley  (coloured red)

After starting off identically to Route (1), this route then takes a more difficult course up a steep-sided valley that defines the continuation of the Rio Higuerón.

Nerja to Frigiliana (3) - El Camino Viejo de Málaga  (coloured purple)

This route follows the first part of the 'Old Drover Route' that we have ourselves pioneered, before diverting at La Molineta to head up to Frigiliana.

Nerja to Frigiliana (4) - via Arroyo del Meli  (coloured green)

After following the first part of Route (3), this route heads out further west, taking a more or less parallel route, although through very different terrain, until rejoining just above La Molineta.

Nerja to Frigiliana (5) - Fuente del Esparto and Rio Chillar*

* This route is yet to be added. It is a much longer and more difficult route compared to the first four such, heading north from the Caves by Maro, Following our 'Fuente del Esparto' route, and then heading off into the wild, crossing two valleys, including that of the Rio Chillar, until arriving at the base of Frigiliana itself. As you know, it is our policy not to describe any route that we haven't completed ourselves. So watch this space!