A trip with my dog to Cañada del Lobo near Málaga (Spain)

This November, I took a trip with my dog to the Málaga region in Spain. While we were there, we went for a hike to the Cañada del Lobo (or “Wolf’s Ravine”) viewpoint. On the way up, you can see the mountain panorama of the mountains of Torremolinos. Once you reach the top, you are rewarded with great views over the mediterranean sea, along with the neighbourhoods of Torremolinos and Benalmádena.

This hike is a nice way to spend half a day if you are in the area. At the top, there are some picnic tables so you can enjoy a snack while overlooking the sea. For more information on this walk, please see the details below.

If you are looking to spend more time in the Málaga region, I can certainly recommend the apartment that I stayed at in the Benalmádena neighborhood. If you’re interested you can find my review here.

THE ROUTE

The hike up to Cañada del Lobo starts right here. While there is no dedicated parking lot, there was a lot of street parking available in the direct vicinity. Remember that in Spain you can park anywhere with a “dotted white line” free of charge. Alternatively, the bus M-124 will take you very close to the start of the route too. Just get off at “Santangelo Cementerio”.

At the starting point, there is a sign indicating that this is the ascent towards Cañada del Lobo. The route is very easy to follow, all you have to do is just stay on the main asphalted road.

As you ascend the hill, you will come across some beautiful views of the mountains of Torremolinos.

As you get towards the top and hit a crossing, stick to the right hand side. There are also waypoints indicating the correct route.

Once you reach the top, there are actually two viewpoints:

The one on the left features the signature statue of a howling wolf (remember: Cañada del Lobo means “Wolf’s Ravine), as well as some nice views. From this side, you can even catch a glimpse of the main city of Málaga in the distance.

If you go to the viewpoint towards the right, you will find some picnic tables along with a great panorama of Torremolinos and Benalmádena. Why not check out both viewpoints and see which one you prefer?

After taking in the views, it’s time to head back down. I went back the same way that I came because I had parked my car at the bottom, but apparently, there is also a descent route along the mountains facing the sea. So if you’re coming by public transport or ride share, maybe you can take a different way back down to mix it up.

HOW LONG IT TAKES AND WHO IT’S FOR

It is roughly a 4km walk one way to the top. The walk is purely uphill, and the incline was a bit steep in parts.

I found it a little strenuous, but as the road surface is good it is not too challenging overall. Most of the path is made of asphalt, so you could even take a long a pram if you are feeling very adventurous.

For us, it took about 90 minutes to reach the viewpoint while walking at a decent pace. The way up was a little exhausting, but coming down was easy thanks to the paved roads.

I would recommend taking this hike in the off-season when temperatures are more moderate. There is not a lot of shade, so I would not suggest it during hot weather.

Also, make sure to bring along water and snacks as there are no facilities along the way.

THE BOTTOM LINE

This is an enjoyable hike to do with your dog. The views from the top are nice and you can even have a picnic at the provided tables. If you’re in the area, I can certainly recommend this route up to Cañada del Lobo.