Day 1: Málaga to Almogía
Ascent into the Malaga hinterlands
Path: City, suburbs, then scrubby peripheries before entering the mountains. The gradual transformation is fascinating as always. I am happy to see a pilgrim pass as I sit for my morning coffee. Other than that, not a soul on the way. After crossing the Campanillas river, the path starts to climb, with some steepish ascents and some glorious views back towards the sea. The final climb up through the village of Almogia to the albergue is a bit of a killer. “Arriba! Arriba!” the answer to any request for directions.
Food & Drink: I stopped at Hostal Jose Carlos in Junta de los Caminos for a coffee but lunch was a picnic picked up on the way out of Malaga and eaten in the shady bus-stop shelter by the Campanillas river. There was a nice looking bar just before turning onto the road for the albergue, but I opted for a dinner from the Dia a little further along.
Accommodation: Albergue with kitchen, showers and one dormitory room on the edge of the village sports grounds. Numbers to call on the door to get key and access. Donativo.
Pilgrim Count: 3. Jakub from Krakow – seen on the road and later at albergue. Pilar and her sister from Merida at albergue.
Day 2: Almogía to Antequera
Skirting El Torcal
Path: Lush green hills and valleys in the morning, with El Torcal dominating the afternoon stage, before a dramatic descent to Antequera. Yesterday’s pilgrim viewed in the distance is today’s walking companion and the double stage passes quickly. The descent from Almogia gives a panorama of wooded hills, into which we descend before climbing back up to the barer hill tops. There is a stream to paddle through before the walk up to Vi
WHEN WALKING 