Shrine of St Isidore

Level of Difficulty	1B (rating explanation)
Price	€ 15
Day & Time	Wednesdays starting at 09:30 (walking calendar)
Meeting Point	Nerja bus station
Start Time	09:30 at Nerja bus station
Finish Time	13:30 at Nerja bus station
Minimum Group Size	None
Maximum Group Size	Limited number of spaces available on each walk in order to maintain group safety and good walker/guide ratio.
Walking Time	3.5 hours approx. (includes stops for breaks, photos, looking at wildflowers, talking to goatherds, etc.!)
Walking Distance	7 kilometres (circular route)
Route location	In the countryside immediately west of Nerja and near to the coast
Height Gained	70 metres (from Nerja bus station)
Risk of vertigo	No
Recommendations	Trainers or walking sandals are adequate. No flip-flops or similar, please. Basic level of fitness required. This walk is as easy as they come! Bring something to eat as a snack, sufficient water and appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.
Additional Gear	None required.
Highlights	Walk along country lanes through exotic fruit plantations and citrus orchards in the Nerja countryside; see wildflowers ablaze and in abundance on the waysides (season February – June); visit the shrine of St. Isidore, Nerja’s patron saint, on the highest point of our itinerary; lovely views of Nerja, surrounding countryside, mountains and Mediterranean sea; have a chance at seeing the goatherd with his munching machines as they move along the country lanes from one field to another.
Facilities	Lavatory, food and drinks available at Nerja.
Observations	This walk starts at the Parque Verano Azul at 15:00. Walkers based in Nerja should meet me no later than 14:45 at the Parque Verano Azul (map). Walkers based in Frigiliana who intend to use public transport for getting to the start of this walk should get the 13:45 bus to Nerja and meet the main group at the Parque Verano Azul at 14:45, where this walk will begin at 15:00. This walk ends at the Parque Verano Azul at approximately 18:30. Walkers based in Frigiliana will be able to catch the 19:00 bus back to Frigiliana.
Map of walking area

Have yourself an easy, relaxing and enjoyable walk along mildly undulating country lanes and paths through the patchwork of avocado, mango, lemon and orange orchards in the pretty countryside around Nerja. The pace is slow and relaxed in order not to miss any of the delights that we may come across on this relatively short but delightful walk. We will have ample opportunity to take in all of the interesting things that Nerja countryside life has to offer.

On this walk we will stroll along paved country lanes for most of the time, with occasional wanderings along unsurfaced lanes, occasionally dipping in behind greenhouses along side lanes and paths to work our way through the patchwork of smallholdings. This is where the opportunity for discovering some of the best surprises arises. Wildflower enthusiasts will certainly love this walk, which is as good as any for observing Mediterranean wildflowers. The country lanes of Nerja are rife with a bewildering display of wildflowers, which can be found in a variety of common habitats such as narrow lane verges, waysides, fields, cultivated ground, open wasteland and countryside. The garigue habitat, characterised by open rocky ground, dominates this area, and is one of the favourite habitats of Mediterranean wildflowers. This walk definitely provides all of the necessary ingredients to see wildflowers at their best.

We will also pay a visit to the old site of the shrine of St. Isidore, Nerja’s patron saint, which sits atop a discreet hillock of approximately 8o metres above sea level. The approach to the shrine is of a slightly more adventurous nature, having to work our way along a rough but clear path, negotiating the gentle incline up the hillock as we make our way to the top. The journey to the shrine is not without its rewards as we will discover many wild aromatic herbs growing here in abundance. Once at the top, the hillock provides a wonderful vantage point from which to observe many interesting geographical landmarks and points of interest, not to mention lovely views of the Mediterranean.

Our return to Nerja is along a wide unsurfaced country road followed by a very pleasant and refreshing walk along the beach and along the Chillar river bank to our finishing point at the Parque Verano Azul.