Activity Holidays in Andalucía: Readers’ Travel Tips

Off-road mountain biking with the kids in tow, hiking along precarious clifftops and white water rafting exhilarated readers who this week share the best of the southern Spanish region

Winning tip: Cycling the Sierra Nevada to the sea

If you like local hospitality, sunny, dusty trails and insane amounts of fun, we recommend this week of fast-flowing single track. Our physically challenging trip took us to the very best of Andalucía, including through remote villages and epic mountain scenery. We stayed in authentic Andalucían accommodation, including luxury caves.

Rafting on the Genil river

If you fancy a rush, a rafting adventure awaits on the Genil. For beginners and families with children aged six and up, there is a quiet course close to Málaga at Cuevas Bajas. The stretch of white water between Benamejí and Palenciana is for the more experienced.

Tyrolean traverse at El Torcal

Easily reached from Jerez airport, the not-too-touristy resort of Chiclana has activities like windsurfing, horse-riding, sailing, kite-surfing and diving. The fearless can try the Tyrolean traverse rope-way at El Torcal. After all that, watch the sunset with a beer on La Borrosa beach.

Family activities in Sierra Nevada

La Taha de Pitres is a series of pretty villages linked by a well-marked footpath high in the Sierra Nevada. The area offers family activities based on hiking, fruit collecting and swimming in lakes. Get up to Granada then take a short bus ride and you’ll be breathing fresh air and (in the autumn) picking wild figs and almonds for dinner.

A walk on the wild side

East of Almería, Mónsul is perhaps best-known because its beach was seen in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The coastal path to Vela Blanca is closed to all but foot traffic, and provides astounding views as you clamber along the track with jagged rocks, coral reefs and abundant wildlife.

Caminito del Rey, Málaga

The renovated Caminito del Rey in the province of Málaga is sometimes dubbed “the world’s most dangerous path”. The 3km walkway clings to the Garganta del Chorro ravine, and traces the route of the original decayed catwalk from which several walkers fell to their deaths. The new metre-wide, wood-panelled walkway features several spectacular glass floor sections and a hanging bridge over the gorge.