Axarquía Autumn Trail: Pulgarín to Periana Hike on 22 November

Autumn on the eastern Costa del Sol offers some of the finest walking conditions in southern Spain. On Sunday, 22 November 2026, the provincial hiking program *Senderos Otoño* heads into the rugged hills of upper Axarquía for an organized route along Stage 9 of the Gran Senda de Málaga (GR 249), connecting the hamlet of Pulgarín in Alfarnatejo with the mountain town of Periana.

This inland route presents a striking contrast to the coastal atmosphere of Nerja. Organised walking routes through the *Senderos Otoño* initiative provide hikers with guided access to these heritage inland paths, located well within an hour's drive of the coast.

Exploring the Upper Axarquía Landscape

Stage 9 of the GR 249 takes walkers through one of the most picturesque and dramatic pockets of the comarca. Starting near Pulgarín, part of the municipality of Alfarnatejo, the path traverses sweeping olive groves and skirts dramatic limestone mountain formations, often referred to as the *Pirineos del Sur* (Pyrenees of the South).

As the trail winds down towards Periana, participants enjoy panoramic perspectives over the undulating hills that define this agricultural heartland. The limestone crags and centuries-old olive terraces showcase the traditional, rural pace of life that has thrived inland for generations, far removed from the beachfront promenades.

Connecting Coast and Mountain from Nerja

For visitors and residents based in Nerja, excursions into the interior of the Axarquía reveal the incredible geographical diversity of the province. While Nerja's immediate backdrop is dominated by the dramatic peaks of the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama, upper Axarquía presents open plateaus, sheer karst towers, and wide valleys carpeted in olive trees.

Reaching the starting point around Pulgarín and Periana takes roughly 50 to 60 minutes by car from Nerja via the A-7 and inland mountain roads through Vélez-Málaga or Casabermeja. Taking part in organised provincial routes like those within *Senderos Otoño* is an excellent way to navigate unfamiliar mountain trails with structured support and local guidance.

Good to know

• Date: Sunday, 22 November 2026.
• Trail section: Stage 9 of the GR 249 (Gran Senda de Málaga), between Pulgarín (Alfarnatejo) and Periana.
• Landscape: Olive groves, rural valleys, and rugged limestone mountain terrain.
• Location: Upper Axarquía, approximately an hour's drive inland from Nerja.
• Initiative: Part of the provincial *Senderos Otoño* guided hiking program organised across Málaga province.