Countless paths – Hiking – Gibralfaro Forest Park 📷 Malaga – Spain

Nature, like life, has countless paths, and each one can lead us on adventures as we explore them and enjoy the process.

Gibralfaro Forest Park covers a vast area of more than 27 hectares surrounding the famous Gibralfaro Castle. Not only does it surround it, but it also has an intricate network of paths that often intersect with each other and form different levels if you start the route from the castle exit. And that is the route he has taken on this occasion, in addition to walking two of those trails.

Each of these paths has a different name and, from what I have seen, this is due to the views that can be seen along the way. There are paved paths where vehicles were allowed to pass many years ago, but now only cyclists and people walking or hiking are allowed.

The paths I walked this time are called ‘La Malagueta’ and ‘Recorriendo la muralla’ (Walking along the wall).

There is a fork between the two paths, and this sign indicates that we are at an altitude of 116 metres and allows us to choose between one path or the other. But there are also other stone structures that indicate that there are many other paths to explore. Everywhere I looked, the place was full of vegetation.

The first one offers incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea, the square, the bullring and many promenades, at a considerable height that provided postcard-perfect views of beautiful landscapes.

I could also see the city's port, where cruise ships arrive all the time from all over the world, as part of the city. Among the trees, I always looked or searched for a new incredible view, always to my right, as I descended the path. To my left, I could enjoy the rocks of different colours and the trees, many of them leaning.

Above all, there are many pine trees of different species, notably the Aleppo pine, which, as in many of the city's forest parks, has been planted to protect the city during periods of heavy rain and water running down from the mountains, causing landslides. I could also see several olive trees and some carob trees.

The sign indicating the trail told me that I could see red squirrels, blackbirds, butterflies and chameleons. Of these species, I did see squirrels crossing the paths, but they are very fast and I couldn't capture them with my phone. I always see blackbirds, I think they are a feature of the city and I love them, they are like a very small crow with an orange beak, and they are also extremely funny.

The route was not difficult, the slope was slightly downhill, so it was very pleasant, and I walked at a normal pace for about 30 minutes.

There is so much vegetation that the sun filters through it, but it does not reach all the paths. It illuminated the city so strongly that the reflection on the white houses and buildings was very intense.

No matter what time of year it is, there are trees of all colours, I mean pines, colours, sizes, shapes, and every step was a new landscape before me.

In a clearing, I was able to photograph a neighbourhood in the distance and at a certain height above the sea, it looked beautiful. Also the sea, passing cruise ships, lights and shadows in a very peaceful atmosphere, as I only came across a few people who were doing the same thing as me.

The paths change shape and, as I said many times, they intersect with each other. I found a special place among all the vegetation to see the city in the distance and above. Wonderful.

The second of the trails I am bringing you today runs along the castle walls, with paths surrounding it and offering views of nature bathed in sunlight, with plenty of fresh air and amazing formations of trees and plants. Each of the trails is different, and from the castle you can see the whole city in any direction. When we are in the forest park, each path shows us a different part of it, with different views.

In this part, I saw brighter greens and trees that seemed to guide us in different directions. Their shapes are amazing.

The signs pointed me towards the tunnel, which connects to the castles, but first you have to cross this path, which took me a little longer than the previous one because it was not downhill.

Although during the walk you can see the castle walls and towers by looking up, I preferred to look to my right at the nature. But seeing those towers stand out among so much greenery is also beautiful. They form the defences of the castle, which is a site of cultural interest.

The variety of trees is practically the same as on the previous path, but there were also low plants and shrubs, and according to the sign I found along the way, they consist of asparagus, acanthus, oleander and bolina. As for the fauna, it is the same as before, with squirrels standing out, but again, they are too fast for me.

In this part, the most amazing thing was not the views of the city, because there were none, but rather that I was in an area of pure flora, and the most beautiful thing was the inclinations of the tree trunks, as if they were performing a dance unknown to humans, decorating the castle and offering a unique natural environment.

This walk and tour have been refreshing, with lots of fresh air and cool weather, which I love.

Thank you very much for accompanying me on this walk and adventure. I send you my best regards. See you soon.
Amonet.