A PLAN is afoot to turn the Axarquia into a hiking hub through a brand new route taking in the very best of the area’s countryside.

The SGR 242, an 80km path connecting Periana and Nerja, has been developed by local businesses in an attempt to boost tourism and attract foreign visitors to the area.

“We are now ready to start marketing this product, and hope to attract many foreign customers, as well as Spanish ones,” said Almudena Martin from Las Monjas guesthouse in Periana who has helped design a guide for the route.

The path, which falls entirely within the Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama natural park and ascends to 2,068m at the Pico de La Maroma, can be carried out in four to six phases.

This fully-signposted track, which takes in Canillas de Aceituno, Sedella, Salares, Canillas de Albaida, Competa and Frigiliana, has been approved by Malaga county council and Andalucia’s mountaineering institute (FAM).

SGRs (Senderos de Gran Recorrido) are recognised trails covering 50km or more.