The best MTB trails around Pizarra

Álora, a Spanish municipality in the province of Málaga, Andalusia, is located in the Guadalhorce valley and covers an area of 169.62 km². Its history dates back to prehistoric times in Hoyo del Conde, with influences from the Turdetani, Phoenicians, and Romans, who fortified the castle, whose foundations are of Phoenician origin. The inhabitants are known as aloreños or perotes, the latter name being attributed to the first councilman Don Pero. Álora lies between hills on the banks of the Guadalhorce River and on the railway line towards Málaga, Seville, Córdoba, and Granada. The municipality includes the El Chorro natural area with the famous Caminito del Rey and a landscape of pine forests and hills with cereal and olive plantations. The landscape is characterized by the Guadalhorce valley and the mountains of the Sistema Bético with citrus and olive cultivation.

Álora, a Spanish municipality in the province of Málaga, Andalusia, is located in the Guadalhorce valley and covers an area of 169.62 km². Its history dates back to prehistory in Hoyo del Conde, with influences from the Turdetani, Phoenicians, and Romans, who fortified a castle whose foundations are of Phoenician origin. Its inhabitants are known as aloreños or perotes, with the origin of this latter name attributed to the first councilman, Don Pero. Álora lies between hills on the banks of the Guadalhorce river and on the railway line towards Málaga, Seville, Córdoba, and Granada. The municipality encompasses the natural area of El Chorro with the famous Caminito del Rey and a landscape of pine forests and hills with cereal and olive plantations. The landscape is characterized by the Guadalhorce valley and the mountains of the Sistema Bético, with the cultivation of citrus and olives.

The large mural by artist Lalone (Eduardo Luque) attracts the attention of locals and visitors alike. Located on Avenida Peñón Gordo, it was created as part of a community street art project aimed at transforming Álora into an open-air museum. The artwork presents a vibrant and detailed depiction of Álora's identity, focusing on the striking Arab castle, the spectacular Caminito del Rey, and the rocky landscape of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes. In his signature style, Lalone combines realistic elements with a surreal compositional approach, seamlessly blending landscape, architecture, and human figures. The mural has been featured in numerous regional media outlets and was selected by the Street Art Cities platform as one of the best murals in the world. It symbolizes not only artistic quality but also the community's pride in its history and natural environment.

A hermitage high up in the mountains and several kilometers away from any town, it requires strength to climb and I personally prefer to reach it from Almogia.

Wooden bridge

Álora is a small town in the province of Málaga in Andalusia, about 40 kilometers northwest of Málaga city. It is located in the Valle del Guadalhorce, an agricultural region, and has a population of around 13,000. The town is known for its typical Andalusian architecture with white houses and narrow streets. Álora has a long history dating back to Roman times. Later, under Moorish rule, it was of strategic importance, as can still be seen today in the Castillo de Álora – a castle located on a hill above the town. Today, Álora is primarily a starting point for visitors to the Caminito del Rey, a well-known hiking route through the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge. Despite its growing tourist importance, the town remains relatively quiet and has retained its traditional character. There are a few bars, small shops and a few sights such as churches and museums, but overall, Álora is a rather tranquil place.

The work shows the Caminito del Rey, the walkway and the castle, emblems of Álora. With the aim of beautifying the public space, the City Council commissioned Eduardo Luque, Lanole, to create a mural on Peñón Gordo Avenue. The mural, which has recently been inaugurated, shows tourist emblems of Álora, the Caminito del Rey, the walkway and the Arab castle, with a dreamy touch. This work, of height, has been financed with its own resources and has enjoyed great acceptance from the neighbors, who have not stopped taking pictures during the realization of the mural and at its completion.

Snow-capped peaks and beautiful views