More than 3,500 students will participate in the ‘School Hiking Program 2025-26’ organized by the City Hall

This activity, in which local schools participate, is aimed at students between 7 and 18 years of age.

The Estepona City Council reports that a new edition of the ‘Municipal School Hiking Program’ has begun, aimed at students in Primary Education, Secondary and High School. This municipal initiative, which will run from November 2025 to May 2026, has the participation of about 3,500 schoolchildren between 7 and 18 years, belonging to different schools in the municipality.

This program aims to raise awareness among young people about the importance of conserving nature and encourage the practice of hiking as a healthy physical activity in direct contact with the natural environment. In addition, it is intended that students learn about the natural heritage and rich landscape of Estepona, promoting greater environmental awareness and valuing the protection of natural, scenic, cultural and historical values of the environment.

The program promotes the active participation of both teachers and students. From the initial presentation at the centers, the participating groups choose the routes they wish to take and receive didactic material to work on them in the classroom before each outing.

In the season corresponding to the 2025/2026 academic year, the routes are presented by levels of difficulty, adapted to the ages and physical conditions of the schoolchildren. A total of 6 routes have been designed for different places in Sierra Bermeja, in the surroundings of the Nicola path or the path of the Artesa and the aerobase.

All outings are held during school hours, from 08:30 to 14:30 hours, from Tuesday to Thursday, and are guided by municipal technicians of the delegations of Youth, Environment and Sport, with the collaboration of teachers from participating schools. In addition, this year the program has the collaboration of the Red Cross, whose staff accompanies the students on their routes.

In addition to hiking, the students participate in activities of interpretation of the natural environment, observation of flora and fauna, and participatory environmental games, which promote learning and respect for the environment.

The Spanish Youth Institute (INJUVE), an agency under the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030, has recognized this municipal program of School Hiking as an example of good practice that can be replicated in other territorial areas of our country.