Many of those who visit the Costa del Sol during the summer period are at times unaware that the province of Malaga is home just a few miles from the coast to natural landscapes of great beauty and history, just waiting to be discovered by the more intrepid traveller. The best way to encounter them is to live your own adventure along pathways trodden by the Roman legions, Saracen and Christian soldiers, and even the bandits of days gone by, who used them to set secret ambushes for their enemies. The Sierra de las Nieves and the Sierra de Ronda, the Sierra Bermeja or Sierra de Mijas, the Vega de Guadalhorce, the Valle de Abdalajís, the Torcal de Antequera and the Sierra Tejeda - Almijara are just some of the sites which provide the natural setting to a satisfying experience not without its share of risk, meaning that safety comes first. It is vital not to embark on such excursions on your own, without the right equipment and qualified guides who are fully familiar with the terrain and the difficulties inherent in certain activities, according to the recommendations of specialist company Exploramás, who have more than 10 years’ experience in the field of adventure tours and incentive and active tourism throughout Andalusia.

DESIGN YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

Once equipped and in the company of a qualified, professional guide, we head off into the wild side of the Costa del Sol. As the name suggests, adventure sports allow us to design our own adventure with a whole range of different activities with different levels of skill required: climbing, white-water rafting, mountain biking, hiking, routes on horseback or quad, 4x4s, paintball and other teambuilding games... What they all have in common is that they take place outdoors, thanks to the wonderful climate with which the Costa del Sol is blessed all year round. In just a few minutes, right on the doorstep of your hotel, you can find yourself in the heart of the countryside, and at all times thoroughly respecting the environment.
Climbing, caving and rafting. The steep gullies of the limestone rocks which form the uplands along the coastline are the ideal place for rock climbing. Whether you have any previous experience or not, all you need is the desire to conquer the mountain and yourself, the essence of all climbers. Even the most expert will have the chance to tackle new challenges on steep, at times completely vertical faces. The action of the water on these rocks has given rise to plentiful natural caves, including some featuring cave paintings, such as the Cueva de la Pileta and the Cueva de Nerja, along with canyons flowing unceasingly with river water, softening the edges of the rocky landscape and carving crystalline water basins to bathe in.
Routes and excursions. Routes by quad, 4x4, on horseback or on foot have established themselves as one of the most relaxing activities, and one of the best ways to discover the hidden natural treasures of the Costa del Sol. These pathways frequented only by grazing herds offer the finest snapshots of the most exquisite whitewashed villages, places to stop off and refuel on the fine traditional food and drink for which they are famed.
Paintball and teambuilding games. Teambuilding is used in corporate psychology to strengthen the ties within a working unit by focusing on a common goal. Psychologists recommend team-based leisure activities, such as can be found in a number of different adventure sports. Paintball, for example, involves a battle between teams to conquer the enemy’s territory, and is one of the most frequent teambuilding activities. The excitement is non-stop, and the perfect execution of a group strategy is the key to defeating the adversary. The stress of the workplace fades away with each colourful hit on the “enemy” (the balls of paint are completely harmless and wash off with water), while victory means a job well done for the team.