Rio Chillar walk from Nerja

Feet in water

Rio Chillar : a lovely river walk between Nerja and Frigiliana


rio chillar hike ruta randonnee

In this article, you will find the essential information to do the Rio Chillar hike:

  • A few words about the hike
  • Equipment for the hike
  • Starting point of the rio Chillar hike
  • Where to park your car next to the Chillar river
  • What you can see on the hike
  • Rules for this hike
  • Outdoor sporting activities from Nerja
  • Booking accommodation in Nerja
  • 4 other hikes in the area
  • Some useful links

IMPORTANT: you will find below in the article all the decisions that were taken in December 2023 for access to the ride for summer 2024.


A few words about the rio Chillar hike


The Rio Chillar hike is probably the best known of all the hikes in the province. It is 15 km long for the most courageous and of medium difficulty.


rio chillar hiking

The rio Chillar is located in the municipality of the beautiful white village of Frigiliana. However, the hike starts in Nerja.

It is therefore geographically located in Axarquia, in the province of Malaga.


rio chillar hike in water

For more information about Frigiliana, please see the link visit Frigiliana.


Equipment for this walk


All you need is a pair of trainers that are safe, as the hike is done with your feet in the water.

The hike can be done with young children, who enjoy walking.


Starting point of the Rio Chillar walk


The start of the hike is at the bottom of Frigiliana, on the edge of Nerja.


randonnée rio chillar

In this link you will find the itinerary on Wikiloc of the Rio Chillar walk.


The start of the rio Chillar hike starts here on Google maps.


Where to park next to the rio Chillar ?


The nearest car park to the Rio Chillar route is in Calle Mirto in Nerja.

The other option is to try to get as close as possible by parking on a path (on the left), which is about 300 metres before the starting point.


What you can see on the hike


You cross the gorges (cahorros)formed over time by this river and it is spectacular. For those staying in Nerja, the hike can be started from the riverbed that passes through the town.


les gorges lors de la randonnée rio chillar

In some places it is possible to swim in small natural pools, and depending on the season there are some waterfalls on the sides.


rio chillar walk natural pool

Note that the most incredible thing is that as the crow flies, once in the gorge, we must be barely 1 km from the beaches.


The rules for this walk


rio chillar sendero

We take a small backpack with food and drink, as well as a bag to keep all the rubbish so that we don’t leave anything in nature.


rio chillar hike red dragonfly
Dragonfly – rio Chillar

Like any ecosystem, this one is particularly fragile, and everyone must protect it as best as possible.


randonnée rio chillar

For safety, and even if there are more than 300 days of sunshine per year, we check that there has been no rain in the previous days.


randonnée rio chillar petite cascade

A little advice: the best time to go is early in the morning in the summer to be as quiet as possible


Where is the rio Chillar on the map?



Here’s what’s planned for the rio Chillar during the summer months in 2024



The latest information on the Rio Chillar was published in December 2023:



It has been decided to manage and control access to this hike, along the same lines as the Caminito del Rey in Alora and Ardales. This protected natural area was overcrowded in summer.



It was even completely closed to the public during the summer of 2023. On certain days, up to 3,000 people visited the site, which is part of a protected environment within the Sierras Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama nature park.



Here’s what has been decided for the coming summer months:

  • Visitor numbers: maximum 500 people per day
  • Admission charge: estimated at between €6 and €12 per person (including insurance)
  • Booking method: online on a dedicated website
  • Access days: 7 days a week
  • Access times: 9am to 4pm
  • Leaving the trail: maximum return at 6.00 p.m.
  • Creation of a controlled parking area with shuttle bus – 1km away –


Latest information – June 2024 – from Nerja Town Hall: hiking on the Río Chillar is likely to remain banned for the entire summer of 2024. The town council has not succeeded in entrusting the management of the site to a specialist organisation.


Outdoor sporting activities from Nerja


Here are three great activities to do from Nerja, with David, an official instructor.


Via Ferrata de Zafarraya


via ferrata andalucia andalousie

To find out more and/or book this activity: Via Ferrata de Zafarraya.


Via Ferrata du Caminito del Rey


You’ve probably already done the Caminito del Rey, so here’s a sportier version, the site’s via Ferrata.


Via Ferrata du Caminito del Rey

To find out more and/or book this activity: Via Ferrata del Caminito del Rey.


Canyoning in the Rio Verde


Here’s a great activity, again from Nerja, with David.


Canyoning dans le Rio Verde en Andalousie
descent in the le rio Verde

To find out more and/or book this activity: Canyoning in the Rio Verde.


Booking accommodation in Nerja ?


Nerja balcon de l'Europe

In this link you will find offers: holiday homes, villas, guest houses and hotels in Nerja.


Other ideas for hiking on the Costa del Sol Oriental?


The Rio Higueron hike in Frigiliana offers a beautiful route, also with its feet in the water:


rio higueron frigiliana walk 3

Nearby, there is also the El Saltillo trail in Canillas de Aceituno which allows you to take the 3rd longest hanging bridge in Spain:


el saltillo pont suspendu à canillas de aceituno
Saltillo – Canillas de Aceituno

Here is a more sportive and beautiful hike, with an incredible waterfall: the hike of the rio Patamalara in Competa :


Competa hike rio Patamalara

Here is a last idea for a hike: the Mazmullar hike in Comares. The hike ends with a memorable descent into an aljibe!


hiking costa del sol Comares, aljibe Mazmullar 12
aljibe Mazmullar – Comares

Some useful links


Here is a great car rental agency in Andalucia and more specifically at Malaga airport : book a rental car.


If you are in the area for a few days, here is a selection of some great activities :


 



Discover other beautiful places in Andalusia in the Andalusia blog pages.


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