You have to be very unlucky to catch the three winter days in Malaga on which, according to statistics, the polar air waves sweep over the region. Worst-case scenario: 15 degrees and light rain showers. The Spanish Costa del Sol has never known more winter. Or as an Englishman will probably say at this point: Summer!
In fact, British enduro bikers have been spending their winter holidays in Malaga for almost 20 years. Initially, they had to jostle their way up five trail descents roughly hacked into the coastal mountains and pedal and climb the 1,000 metres up to the entrances themselves. But now the locals have created a real bike arena in the mountain flanks around the town and along the coast towards Marbella. A whopping 45 signposted trails can now be found here.
On the one hand, there are the very winding, stepped lines in the forest and on the other, you balance on ridge trails that stretch like a slackline to the next slope. A test of courage where you must not be distracted by the bird's eye view of the city and the Mediterranean. And then there are also steep descents that definitely feel like Moab: dusty, steep and interspersed with caked rocks and steps.
No easy flow trails!
However, you shouldn't expect easy flow lines for beginners. Although there are lines that look like they have been swept, the fine gravel in them is treacherous and not made for hectic braking manoeuvres. Especially if it hasn't rained for a long time. But you don't have to worry about the metres in altitude. Most of the trail entrances can now be reached by shuttle. On Monte Calamorro, between Malaga and Marbella, there is even a cable car that transports bikers to the next trail paradise along the coast. Bikes are allowed here, but only fit into the small cable car if you remove the front and rear wheels beforehand. And always have your mobile phone to hand: World Cup pros are also out training on Malaga's trails!
Info Malaga
The precinct: Malaga has just under half a million inhabitants and is located in the south of Spain on the Costa del Sol. Distance by car from Munich: almost 2500 kilometres. A direct flight from Germany, on the other hand, takes just under 3 hours and is quite cheap after the Christmas holidays.
Guides, trails and shuttles: They have set up the trails and the entire bike infrastructure around Malaga and therefore know their way around best: the guys and girls from Switch-Backs. It's best to book a package for the week with them, which includes accommodation and shuttles to the trails, which are spread along the coast in ten spots. Info: switch-backs.com
General info: Accommodation addresses and information on other highlights in the region can be found here: visitcostadelsol.com
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
