Today is story time. I was driving home from work not long ago. The curvy roads from Casares down to the coast had me daydreaming and fantasising. I enjoyed the sight of the bright red Sierra Bermeja, the cows and sheep in the valleys and the clean blue skies. As I am approaching the infamous Golf Resort Finca Cortesín, I could clearly see the bright Mediterranean Sea in front of my eyes and for no reason, a smile appeared on my face.
The Simple Things
I remember seeing that first slither of sea, that becomes bigger and bigger as you drive down the mountain. As I start to smile I snap out of my day-dreaming session and have this incredible & sudden realisation of how lucky I truly feel living in Casares, Costa del Sol, Andalucia. Having lived in the countryside of Andalucía for so long, I sometimes forget that I live in one of the best places on Earth. It’s not only the activities in nature that inspire me. On the contrary, often for me, it’s about the small details. Like for example, walking on the boulevard in Estepona in April and May, and already seeing foreigners swimming in the sea! I realise that others come here on holiday to enjoy the life I get to live every day.
My life is a holiday. Once you start thinking about life like this, then you begin to see the wonders in front of your eyes again. You realise again that living in the Costa del Sol is a dream come true. Today I want to give you a bucket list that you can print out or save with plenty activities in nature that you can do to remember why your life in Andalucía is the best life you could wish for anyone.
My activities in nature bucket list
Walking & Hiking
Andalucía is a mountainous region for the most part. What this means is that many of the hiking trails are up in the mountains. But don’t worry, you can drive up very far on most of the walking trails. Walking is a great way to keep busy, do some physical exercise and to let go of our daily stress. Walking and especially in nature we can clear our minds and will feel more calm instantly. As a bonus, you breathe in fresh air and get extra vitamin D! Below I will list some of my favourite trails, and also recommended trails that I have yet to explore.
- Caminito del Rey, Ardales. Yes, it’s a classic but trust me, it’s worth it. I have done it so many times and every time I go I am surprised again. The gigantic rock formations, the river carving through the rocks, the beautiful nature, the contrast between the old trails and the new one… Every single detail here is an experience. The best of all is that when you are done walking. You get to enjoy a cool-down session at the lake El Chorro. Make sure to bring floating beds with you so you can take a nap on the lake! Try not to do this in peak summer, if you have no other choice, do the hike very early morning. You will do yourself a great favour.
- Sierra Bermeja, Estepona. In the Sierra Bermeja there are endless trails. You can start from different places and here the degree of difficulty will vary. A specific route that I have been wanting to explore for a long time is one that takes you to a small waterfall. This means that after a good hike, I can take a dip in the probably, very cold water, and as a reward snack on my homemade sandwich!
Horse Riding
If you love exploring the mountainous landscapes around Andalucía, I can recommend horse riding too! This is another one of those fantastic activities in nature because you get to explore rivers, beaches, mountains and valleys on horseback. There are literally hundreds of trails that you can explore all over Andalucía. Personally, I have explored many sites with the company Riding Fun in the Sun, Casares. But there are so many different companies and schools that take you on rides that you cannot go wrong!
What I have wanted to do for a very long time is explore the area of Castellar on horse, I have heard it is absolutely spectacular! Even though I live in Málaga, I know that Cádiz is famous for riding routes on the beach.
Swimming in our dear Mediterranean Sea
One of the activities in nature that we cannot forget to mention is of course, swimming. From Casares, the beach is just a 10-15 minute drive. You have a beautiful sea to enjoy with a plethora of Chiringuitos that are already opening up again for the summer season. If you prefer beaches that are more elongated and more “Caribbean looking”, no problem! Treat yourself to a little road trip and explore the beaches of Cádiz and Huelva. You will not be disappointed.
What’s even better is that when you live on the countryside, you can enjoy a refreshing swim at home! This gorgeous villa for sale in Casares has its own beautiful pool where you can swim, cool down, float, sunbathe, read… If you think this is the one for you, then make sure you reach out to me for viewings!
Danielle Ernstsen | 15th May 2024
