If you’re a new hiker you might not want to head out on the most technically challenging or the steepest and longest trails just yet.
It’s always safe to start out with easy hikes that are well marked and don’t take too long. Lucky for you, Andalucia is full of great hiking trails for beginners. You can even climb some of the top peaks without much hiking experience.
With years of hiking experience, especially in Andalucia, I often get asked about the best hikes for beginners. What I look for when I recommend beginner hikes, are trails that are fairly short, easy to navigate, and not too hard or steep.
It’s also a plus if they are moderately or heavily frequented by hikers so that you feel more confident you’re on the right track, even if you’re not hiking alone.
Once you get more comfortable hiking, the region is jam-packed with more challenging peaks and gorges that you can explore.
So let’s start with some of the easiest hikes for beginners so that you slowly can widen your comfort zone and hit those challenging trails too!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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. Now, I’m here to help you navigate this incredible region with thorough hiking guides, hiking tips, and gear recommendations.
Before you start hiking, make sure you’re familiar with the 7 Leave No Trace Principles. You can read everything about them here. If you plan on bringing your dog, you find all the essential things you need to know in this post.
Table of Contents
Hiking trails for beginners in Andalucia
Here are some of the best hiking trails for beginners in Andalucia. They’re generally well marked, easy, and not too long. I’ve done all of them myself, most of them many times, so the hiking guides you can click into are thoroughly written to make sure you have the best hiking experience without getting lost.
RELATED: Expert hiking tips for beginners
Rio Cerezuelo in Cazorla
This is a stunning 2-3 hours hike that starts from the village of Cazorla in Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park. It’s well marked, and goes along a breathtaking river with several waterfalls, and loops back along the mountain that will spoil you with views of the charming white village.
You can read my complete hiking guide here.
Pico Terril in Seville
For being the highest peak in the province of Seville, Pico El Terril is a fairly easy mountain to climb and perfect for beginners. The views are spectacular and the trail is fairly easy to follow.
There are a couple of places you should take care of so you don’t get lost, however, but I’ve described them carefully in my hiking guide. Altogether, this is one of the best mountains to climb for beginners, as it’s not too steep and has no tricky sections.
Rio Molinos in Almeria
Rio Molinos in Almeria is yet another stunning river hike that takes about 2,5 hours to complete, starting from the white village of Bayárcal in the lower Sierra Nevada.
With several river crossings, waterfalls and swimming holes, and old mills, this is a wonderful hike that finally takes you up to the top of the village before looping back down.
Read my complete hiking guide here.
Find the best hiking gear and gadgets here
Las Negras to Cala de San Pedro in Almeria
The 2,5 hours return hike from Las Negras to Cala de San Pedro in Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park in Almeria is one of the most unique easy hikes in Andalucia.
With breathtaking coastal views heading to what is a hippie community and the only beach in Spain where you’re “allowed” to camp, this is a true Andalucia bucket list hike for beginners.
Read my complete hiking guide here.
Loma Pelada in Almeria
Loma Pelada is an easy hike for beginners and another captivating coastal hike in Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. It’s an easy 3-4 hours from the beach in Cala Higuera next to San Jose to the beach in Cala Escondida right before you get to Los Escullos and back.
There is a small ascent at the beginning but most of the trail is level and isn’t demanding in any way. Along the trail, you’ll be able to walk down to hidden coves and you can explore the ruins of an abandoned house.
You can read my complete hiking guide here.
Pico El Chullo in Almeria
Another top hike that makes the best hikes for beginners in Andalucia, is Almeria’s highest peak, El Chullo. With its 2613 masl, it’s surprisingly easy to reach even for beginners.
It’s a slow but even ascent over the mostly open landscape where you see the peak and the trail is well marked. It’s only about 4 hours return, which makes for a great hike for beginners with breathtaking views!
Read my complete hiking guide here.
Sendero Repilado to Los Romeros, Huelva
This is an easy river hike following the glittering river between Repilado village and Los Romeros Village in Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park. The river winds through lush, green scenery, and small cascades flow down the rocks along the way.
The hike is one of the most beautiful and easy walks in Andalucia. Following the road, it’s also a safe option if you hike alone as it’s close for getting hold of help if there’s an emergency.
The hike is only 3 hours return and Los Romeros makes a nice stop before turning around as you can see the old washing place, but also get a cold drink.
Read my complete hiking guide here.
Ruta de Los Cahorros in Granada
This is probably one of the most fun hiking trails in Sierra Nevada and if you’re looking for something different and don’t mind hanging bridges, ducking under the rock, and holding on to metal handles pinned into the rock wall to get past, this is actually a great hike for beginners.
The path is well marked, it’s highly frequented by people so you won’t get lost, and the height of the parts where you have to maneuver under and around the rock isn’t at all high above the ground. If this hike doesn’t get you hooked, I don’t know what will!
You can read my complete hiking guide to Ruta de Los Cahorros here.
El Pinsapar in Cadiz
This is an extremely unique hike as it’s the densest area of Spanish Fir in the country. In the summer months, it’s mandatory to hike with a guide here, which makes it easier when starting out hiking. It’s also a protected area within Grazalema Natural Park, so you have to get a permit to hike it.
I’ve included everything you need to know in this guide.
El Torcal de Antequera in Malaga
El Torcal de Antequera is great for hiking for beginners. There are three different routes of different lengths of 1-3 hours. Walking around what might be Europe’s most unique karst landscape and a big chance of seeing wild mountain goats is an amazing experience.
This hiking area is also very popular so there are plenty of people to ask for directions if you get confused.
You can read my complete guide to hiking each of the three trails here.
How to find the best sustainable day hiking backpack + buying guide
Arabic Staircase in Malaga
The unique hike of the Arabic Staircase in El Chorro next to Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes Gorge is a great beginner hike. It does require that you have a basic fitness level, though, as you’ll be climbing a good amount of ancient stone stairs.
This trail is usually frequented by hikers and climbers and takes about 2,5-3,5 hours to complete.
You can read my complete guide here.
El Caminito del Rey in Malaga
This is without a doubt one of the greatest hiking trails for beginners. One, it’s one of the most spectacular hikes in the country, and two, it’s impossible to get lost as it’s a one-way hike mostly following a boardwalk hanging along the vertical cliff wall.
Winding through the Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes Gorge, this 2 hours walk is very popular. You’ll need to book tickets in advance and there’s a bus shuttle as it’s a one-way-only path.
Read everything you need to know about hiking Caminito del Rey here.
Ruta de Los Venados in Cordoba
Ruta de Los Venados is an easy and beautiful hike through Cordoba’s Sierra Morena. With a large part of the hike being on dirt tracks, it goes through an old oak forest ascending to stunning views, before it rounds off along a river. This is an easy 1-2 hours loop for the whole family.
You can read my complete hiking guide here.
Reflections on Andalucia’s best hikes for beginners
Andalucia has beginner trails in all categories, top hikes, river hikes, and forest hikes. this is one of the reasons why I love the hiking opportunities in the region. There’s something for everyone!
Happy hiking!
READ NEXT: Best hikes in Andalucia
