Looking for a varied hike with breathtaking views, water, and a pinch of adventure near Nerja, Malaga? Then Acequia del Lizar in Frigiliana is a great option!
I love that you can reach this trail straight from the village meaning you don’t even need a car to get there. It loops into Rio Higueron, though the river has been dry this far down the last times I’ve been there due to drought.
However, if you’re fine with rights, this is an absolutely fantastic trail taking you up the hills above Frigiliana offering sweeping views of the coastline, following an irrigation ditch overlooking the green valleys, taking you through the forest, and following the (possibly dry) river back down to Frigiliana.
If you suffer from vertigo, you might want to look into other hikes in Malaga as the irrigation ditch has some narrow and steep sections.
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I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Andalucia Hiking. I’m an avid hiker and after calling Andalucia home for over 10 years, I’ve covered my share of peaks, ravines, rivers, and valleys across all 8 provinces. I’m here to help you navigate this incredible region with thorough hiking guides, hiking tips, and gear recommendations.
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Table of Contents
Practical information
- Province: Malaga
- Length: 10.4 kilometers
- Time: 4-5 hours
- Elevation: 216 meters
- Route: Circular
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (not apt with vertigo)
- Hiking season: All year round
- Hiking with dogs: You can take your dog if you have it under control. Some places are narrow and steep, so it is important that your dog is well-trained and listens to your commands to avoid any accidents.
How to get to Frigiliana and the trailhead
Frigiliana is easily reached by car (only 25 minutes from Nerja) and by bus from Nerja.
The bus stop in Nerja is located on the N340 road about a 12-minute walk from Balcón de Europa and drops you off in the center of Frigiliana.
If you drive, there is free parking along the road before you enter the village and after you pass the main square. I recommend going early to ensure a parking spot that’s not too far from the center.
To reach the trailhead, you must walk up all the windy roads to the top of Frigiliana village.
There, you will continue past a private gate (in a steep left turn) before continuing on an old cobbled path taking you through a stepped garden.
Follow the signs to “El Castillo” and you’re on your way!
CHECK OUT THE ROUTE ON WIKILOC
When is the best time to hike
Acequia del Lizar is great all year round, but I would avoid the hottest summer months as there are sections without any shade.
If you do choose to go in summer, there is (at least when I’ve been there) water in the acequia so you can cool down with water on your neck, head, and arms (even walk in the water if you want to – my dog Ayla used to do that!)
I also can’t stress enough the importance of wearing a hat to cover your head from the sun and bringing enough water to drink on the hike on any hot day, no matter the time of the year.
What to bring
Hiking Acequia del Lizar is a fairly easy hike that doesn’t require a lot of gear, but you should wear a good pair of hiking shoes.
Always check the weather forecast and be prepared for sun or wind depending on the day. If the temperature is around 30 degrees Celsius it’s hot for this hike and I would rather do Rio Higueron alone as you can walk and go for a dip in the water.
Things to bring:
- lunch
- fruit or other snack
- water
- hat/cap
Where to stay
When hiking Acequia del Lizar, it’s great to stay in Frigiliana as you can just walk from your hotel. However, if you prefer to stay by the beach and in a bigger town, I suggest staying in Nerja.
Here are some great hotel options in Frigiliana:
MID-RANGE: Posada Morisca Charming Hotel Boutique – A charming boutique hotel with wonderful coastal views, pool area and bar and restaurant.
BUDGET: Hotel Villa Frigiliana – A lovely budget option with a seasonal pool and some rooms have spectacular village views.
APARTMENT: Carmen Apartamento Susanne – A cute, pet-friendly apartment in the town center.
Hiking Acequia del Lizar-Rio Higueron loop trail
Once you reach the top of the village (see how to get to the trailhead above), follow the signs to the castle at the top.
You’ll go through a stepped park before you reach a forested area at the top of the hill. There, you can take a short detour to the left to see where the old castle ruins once were and take in the views of Frigiliana and the coast.
Back again, you’ll look for a trail that takes you down the hill (direction a water pool and views of the valley.
Walking past the farmhouse, you’ll continue a short while before there is a rocky section to your right that takes you straight onto the acequia.
The first part of it is fenced off and safe to walk, but as you get further along, there are sections that are a little trickier with no fence and some broken parts.
If you have severe vertigo, either of these sections are great. Personally, I didn’t find any of the sections scary, even when walking with Ayla, my last dog, which sometimes pulled or jumped in the way making me lose a bit of balance.
Generally, where there was no fence, there were no steep drops.
The section of endless, green valley views take to an end and you’ll get to a point where the acequia you’re walking on turns right and becomes like a bridge. Before crossing the “bridge”, there’s a small, overgrown path on the left side that takes you steeply down below the acequia and u-turns to the right under the “bridge”.
That’s where you’re going.
This path takes you along the riverbed, which has been try when I’ve hacked there, but I’ve seen pictures and videos of it with water, so be prepared for it.
It’s easy to walk and follow, but there is a waterfall you need to climb down that can be hard for weak knees.
After this waterfall section, the rest of the trail is fairly easy. When you reach a crosspoint and open area, you’ve arrived at the crossing of Rio Higueron.
The last time I went, there was hardly any water this far down the river. You’ll follow the river down (to your right), but there might be some sections with trickling water even in a dry season.
As you reach Frigiliana, there will be a short but steep road to walk up from the forested area to the village and you’ll find yourself at the edge of Plaza de las Tres Culturas.
Reflections on Acequia del Lizar-Rio Higueron loop trail
Summin gup, Acequia del Lizar is a fantastic hike that is easy to reach by walking straight from Frigiliana. As I mentioned above, it’s not exactly the best fit for anyone with heavy vertigo, but for the rest of us, it’s a fun and diverse route.
The views are spectacular and the forested area is pretty too. If you’re looking for a nice day hike in Nerja this is a great choice.
Happy hiking!