Mijas Coastal Path finally open

Ramblers and nature lovers living in Marbella will be delighted to learn that the coastal path linking neighbouring resorts Mijas and Calahonda is now officially open to the public. It's the first of its type to be created in the Malaga Province and is part natural seafront promenade and part traditional coastal trail, ideal for nature enthusiasts, hikers and cyclists. Next time you explore the Costa del Sol with a view to buying a holiday home or retirement residence in Marbella, Mijas or Calahonda, why not take a stroll along this lovely new trail?

The new path has been designed to integrate into the environment effortlessly, using natural materials like wood rather than conventional construction methods with gravel, concrete or paving. There is also no street lighting lining the path to prevent light pollution and unnecessary disturbance of local wildlife.

Almost five kilometres long, the path links La Cala de Mijas with the neighbouring resort of Calahonda, which lies to the west, approximately half way between Marbella and Fuengirola. This is just the first stage of the coastal path, as the trail taking in Fina El Jinete has not been built yet. This second stretch will be created in addition to the already existing six kilometres of coastal path that connect La Cala de Mijas with Marbella's municipality.

It's not just local walkers and cyclists who welcome this new development, which is part of an original idea that came out of Mijas Council and is being funded with ca. 2 million euros by Malaga's provincial government and the Plan Qualifica initiative. Eventually, this brand new tourist attraction will stretch along the whole length of the Malaga Province and allow hikers and cyclists to explore the entire coastline of the province.

Setting an environmental Example

Unlike many past developments at the Costa del Sol, this one has taken into account the needs of the environment and wildlife, the expectations of locals and the need to generate more tourism and revenue for the province. In total, the new coastal path will span 180 kilometres and will link all fourteen municipalities of the Malaga Province. The Mijas trail has already inspired other towns in the region to think outside the box and to link to the trail, as well as prompting those who already live in the area to explore more on foot and by bike.

Eventually, it should be possible to visit every beach in the Malaga Province without the aid of a car or bus. Between 2015 and 2020 the remaining works will take place towards the east of Mijas municipality, linking La Cala de Mijas eventually with the resort of Fuengirola.

Creating Tourist Attractions for all Seasons
 
Although many people still think of Marbella, Mijas and Fuengirola as seaside resorts where tourists roast themselves at the beach all day and then party all night, the reality is actually quite different.

More and more people come to Spain to enjoy a change of life style from the one they have at home. This new "breed" of holidaymaker and home buyer is looking for outdoor leisure pursuits that can be enjoyed by all the family, not just fit and healthy sporting types.

There has also been a palpable shift in the type of holidaymaker the Costa del Sol's Tourism Board wants to attract. Year-round tourism creates year-round jobs for locals.

Hikers and cyclists don't mind so much, if the sea is warm enough for swimming or the skies are deep blue. Unlike golfers, they don't mind a few days with gusts of wind either and are quite happy to visit Spain in spring or autumn.

Other parts of Spain, especially the Balearics, have shown that cycling and hiking holidays are becoming more popular every year and a new approach to creating further tourism attractions is therefore needed to keep up with demand.

For those who live and work in Marbella, Fuengirola, Mijas and Calahonda the next few years will show, if Mijas Council got it right. Several thousand more tourists are expected to come to the region as a result of the new coastal path.