The highest waterfall in Málaga is next to this refreshing village after a short route.

The province of Málaga boasts a wide variety of natural trails that allow visitors to discover its scenic richness in a leisurely, direct, and environmentally respectful manner. One of these lesser-traveled gems, ideal for those new to hiking or looking for an accessible getaway without sacrificing the beauty of the landscape, is located in Tolox, a small town nestled in the heart of the Sierra de las Nieves. In this area, the Tolox-La Rejía Trail offers a five-kilometer circular route that features waterfalls, pine forests, unique geological formations, and a biodiversity that surprises hikers at every step.

The starting point is located about 4.4 kilometers from the renowned Tolox spa, in the area known as Alto de la Cuesta. From Málaga, access is gained by taking the N-340 towards San Pedro de Alcántara and connecting with the C-337 towards Ronda. In this section, you can park the vehicle before beginning the initial ascent, a forest road of approximately 1,700 meters that climbs gently to a sharp curve. From this elevated point, the views of the Los Caballos River valley foreshadow a route full of natural contrasts.

La Rejía Waterfall as the Main Attraction

The trail progresses through a firebreak that makes its way among black pines and maritime pines, setting up the first part of the journey marked by the shade and coolness of the forest. As the path descends, the landscape clears and the horizon reveals one of the icons of the route: the La Rejía waterfall, a waterfall that concentrates much of the visual appeal of the place, considered the tallest waterfall in all of Málaga.

The itinerary continues to the Palmarejo stream, one of the ideal spots for a break. The vegetation here begins to change, dominated by Mediterranean scrubland with species such as Spanish broom, dwarf palm, and sticky rockrose. This section of the route allows for a clear view of the valley and the upper course of the Los Caballos River, in an environment where nature expresses itself powerfully.

The route reaches its most demanding point at the La Rábita stream, where the terrain becomes more rocky and the slopes steeper. Although this area is short, it requires some caution, especially on damp or foggy days. However, the effort is rewarded with new views from a natural cliff, where the trail rises before easing its gradient on the descent parallel to the stream.

One of the curiosities of the route is the Huerta de Paco Reina, a space that once functioned as a mobile forest nursery, now surrounded by willows, reeds, and other riparian species that further enrich the biodiversity of the environment. This point on the trail also reveals one of the most striking geological contrasts in the province: the presence of peridotites, with their brownish-red hue, overlies the light gray of the limestones of Torrecilla, creating a unique landscape both in color and geological history.