Walks Around Marbella

35 BEST WALKS AROUND MARBELLA

DISCOVER MOUNTAINS, LAKES, WHITE VILLAGES, HERITAGE, AND THEIR STORIES BY SASKIA MEULEMANS

Marisa Cutillas interviews local author, Saskia Meulemans, about her new book, which invites people to discover more about the many beautiful natural areas in and around Marbella.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SASKIA MEULEMANS

Time spent in nature is more than a hobby. It is an essential human need and a powerful way to battle stress and stay in shape. Saskia Meulemans, author of the book 35 Walks Around Marbella, knows plenty about the quality that nature walks can add to life. She hails from Belgium but knows Málaga’s natural areas more than many who have lived here for a number of years. So passionate is she about the beauty and rich cultural heritage of our landscapes that she began writing for Dutch publication, Kosta Magazine. Her articles covered walks in a myriad of areas – including the Serranía de Ronda, the Guadalhorce reservoirs on the Gran Senda de Málaga, and Istán in Marbella.

Saskia took a course in photography to accompany her texts and her book is filled with beautiful images that are dominated by blue, green, and stone grey hues. Lakes, rolling mountain ranges, ancient monuments and sites, and quaint white villages abound. The popularity of her writing inspired her to share her knowledge on new routes in one practical, easy-to-follow book.

THERE IS MORE TO MARBELLA THAN LUXURY

“There is more to Marbella than exquisite dining, glamorous venues and beach resorts. Close by, there are beautiful mountains, lakes and natural parks to explore and there is a rich cultural and natural heritage many people don’t know about,” says Saskia. Her book presents numerous discoveries you can make while you are walking, such as local bird species, olive groves and ecosystems. It delves into the history of local areas and covers quirky facts. She says, for instance, that “there is a little village called Juzcar that is known as the ‘Smurf Village’. It was once completely white but in 2011, every single building and home was painted blue to embrace the premiere of the Sony film, The Smurfs 3D. After promotion season was over, the whole town decided to keep its distinctive colour.”

SECRETS TO DISCOVER

The book contains fascinating facts about local species, one being the Leonardo bird, which has an impressive three-metre wingspan. Saskia elaborates, “I also cover the cultural side of inland Málaga and nearby zones, mentioning bodegas, olive groves, art and architecture, and a collection of additional points of interest, stories, and legends. The area of Acinipo, for instance, has Roman ruins that are in a magnificent state.” Saskia highlights the wonders of nature. “Marbella is at the foot of the Sierra de las Nieves, which is home to so many protected ecosystems.” Historical anecdotes also abound. “There is a walk called the Ruta de Los Bandoleros, which was a place of hiding for the real-life Robin Hoods of Andalucía.” By sharing historical anecdotes, she hopes to make nature walks more enriching.

WALKS FOR PEOPLE OF ALL LEVELS

The book is a light, fun read; one in which walks are divided according to level and described in easy bullet points so readers can instantly find what they need. Saskia explains, “Many walks can easily be completed by children and absolute beginners. I have also included routes for expert hikers. The idea is for all people in our area to have so many more ways to fill their leisure time than simply heading to the beach or staying indoors.”

The book is divided into three parts: the first contains walks located within a 20-minute drive (including beachfront walks and Sierre Blanca mountain walks). The second has routes within a 30-minute drive (such as Ojén, Monda, Istán, and Benahavís). The third covers walks that are a maximum of one-and-a-half hours away (in Casares, Sierra Bermeja, Ronda, the Caminito del Rey, El Chorro, and Acinipo).

It features a variety of walk types – including beachfront ones. The Costa del Sol is continually extending the reach of its wooden beachfront pathways and Saskia tells me that a 182 km walkway starting all the way from Manilva to Nerja is currently in the works. There are lakeside and mountainside trails as well as flatter ones. Saskia has published what is no less than a gift for those seasoned trekkers and beginners alike. She says, “We are in the midst of a pandemic but the one thing that abounds in our area is Nature. We are privileged to live here because Nature does wonders for the body and mind and all this beauty is totally free.”

g Saskia’s book can be found on Amazon, Waterstones, and Barnes & Noble. It is also available at Bookworld Puerto Banús.

All the routes are on Wikiloc, so you can use your smartphone to access details of any route you wish to take.