Pinsapo - Garganta El Algarrobo - Pico Los Reales

Pico Los Reales is really special for us, because it's basically in our own backyard. It sits right behind Estepona and it's the biggest mountain you find this close to the sea on the Andalusian coast. Further inland there are higher ones, but not many that rise up this near the water, and that's exactly what makes the view so good.

Ann always wanted to live by the coast and I always wanted to be in the mountains, and here we get both. That's a big part of why we're both so happy in this spot. From Estepona it's only a short drive up into the mountains.

The walk

The walk is definitely worth it. According to AllTrails it's a round trip of about 9.7 km with around 570 meters of climbing, so it's not a stroll. Quite a lot of it is on a paved road and the other parts are rocky, so wear proper hiking shoes. On the way you go through pine forest, over a little bridge and along paths where the rock turns everything red. There are also quite a few dead trees, but the green is coming back in between them, and together with the red rock and the blue sky it's a pretty special landscape. Take your time and stop often, because the view changes with every bend.

The view

At the top you get the reward. On a clear day you can see Africa, the Sierra Nevada and the Rock of Gibraltar, all from the same spot. The day we went we could see Gibraltar with the mountains of Morocco behind it, and looking the other way you see the whole coast stretched out below you. On a hazy day you see a lot less, so pick a clear day if you can.

By bike

I've cycled up here once as well and that's worth it too. It's a proper climb, but the views make up for it, and it's a good feeling to lean your bike against the sign at the top, next to all those antennas.