Canillas de Aceituno: Trails, Views and Moorish Traces

Canillas de Aceituno combines impressive trail experiences with a multifaceted local history. The Sendero El Saltillo follows new paths and walkways to a 54-metre-long suspension bridge situated 70 metres above the Río Almanchares. Between its remarkable construction, mountain trails and historical traces, a varied picture of the village emerges.

When comparing a holiday apartment in Canillas de Aceituno, you can compare travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions on the offer pages. These three details provide a clear framework for your own travel plans, while the landscape, culture and different trail themes can be considered separately.

Nature and Trails

The Casa de la Nieve trail leads from Canillas de Aceituno up to La Maroma via the southern, or sunny, side. Its name recalls a traditional route used by the Neveros, who preserved snow and transported it to remote places. Stage 8 of the GR 249 also passes through the municipal areas of Canillas de Aceituno, Alcaucín, La Viñuela and Periana. The different routes focus respectively on a historic trail, a long-distance hiking stage and a striking suspension bridge.

Landscape

Mount Maroma is located in the vicinity of Canillas de Aceituno. The Cerros del Puerto summit lies in the surrounding area of the village. The beaches of Playa de Algarrobo Costa and Playa Torre Del Mar are also located in this area. The upper part of Canillas de Aceituno offers wide views across the Axarquía to the Mediterranean. The landscape areas mentioned therefore extend from mountain peaks to the coast, without equating their respective relationships with the village.

Culture and History

In the upper part of the village stands the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario y San León Magno. It was built in the 16th century in the Gothic-Mudéjar style on the site of an earlier mosque and later remodelled in the 19th century; its terrace offers expansive views of the surrounding landscape. From this part of the village, the views extend across the Axarquía to the Mediterranean.

For the relevant area of the historic centre, continuous settlement from the 16th century to the present day has been established, including documented Islamic settlement. The winding, narrow streets and the arrangement of the houses suggest a Moorish origin for the village. Plaza del Castillo is a sloping, triangular square at the former site of the village's defensive fortress; there is an information panel there, and the road opposite leads to a small viewpoint.

The C.A.C. Centro de Arte Contemporáneo Francisco Hernández museum and the ancient sites tomb 1 of Trayamar, tomb 4 of Trayamar and tomb 3 of Trayamar are also located in the vicinity of Canillas de Aceituno.

Further Destinations

More destinations to discover: Casares, Coín, Ardales, Benamargosa, Sierra De Yeguas, Villanueva Del Rosario, Viñuela, Torre de Benagalbón.

Local Character

At the Día de la Morcilla Canillera, visitors received morcilla and wine from the region; live music accompanied the event.

To the main travel overview: Málaga.