WHEN you think of the Costa del Sol, it’s likely that you picture sand, sea, sunshine and maybe a spot of sightseeing.
The popular holiday destination is well known for its beaches, lounge pools and restaurants, but there is a side of this stretch of the Spanish coast that often goes unnoticed.
Away from the sun loungers, cocktails and markets, thrillseekers and daredevils can take their pick from a range of adrenaline-fuelled experiences.
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From speeding through the skies to rapidly driving down dirt paths, the Costa del Sol offers much more than tasty food and stunning views.
With the aim of finding out exactly what experiences can be had, the Olive Press has explored the coast and, while doing so, ziplined, quadbiked and canyoned.
So, for those who are on the lookout for their next adrenaline fix, read on to find out about our experiences and decide what adventures you will be heading on this summer.
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Zipline
Suspended horizontally over the platform, we listened to the countdown, heard the click of release and then flew nearly 200 metres above sea level.
What sets the Sunview Park zipline apart is not only the superman pose that you take while flying, but also the fact that it is the longest in Andalucia and the second longest in Spain.
The 1,350 metre long zipline takes just over a minute and sends you over the hills at a maximum speed of 100km per hour.
As we flew, we took in the views of rolling Spanish fields and beautiful mountains.
Then, soon after we got used to the rush of the flight, we landed at a second wooden platform, were placed back on solid ground and began to process the adrenaline hit we just received.
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The thrill was however not over as following the zipline we climbed into the back of a Land Rover and were driven through the hills.
The bumpy ride sent us sliding down the seats and when the driver suddenly turned off the track, declaring that it was time for ‘safari’, everyone in the car’s facial expressions were mixed with excitement and terror.
What ensued was an even rockier ride that took us higher up the hills before zooming down them quickly.
After arriving back at reception, we took in the exceptional views from the terrace, tried our hand at basketball and had a ride on the many bikes available.
Then, some hours later we received an email containing the GoPro footage of our zipline adventure.
Watching back the videos we got to see our faces while we flew.
To have your own superman zipline experience, you can visit Sunview Park in Alhaurin de la Torre, 20km from Malaga city and approximately 30 minutes from Marbella.
Quadbiking
Not far from Mijas Pueblo, we found ourselves climbing on top of a quadbike with helmets on, preparing for our next adventure.
With ATV Adventures we were about to embark on an off-road drive through dirt paths in the middle of the mountains.
Rapidly we weaved through nature, spotting colourful flowers and avocado trees, as we were guided through the area.
One member of staff led the way while another rushed ahead to snap photos of us as we felt the thrill of coasting down hill and felt cold water hit us when we drove through puddles.
Stopping off at the midpoint of our tour we were handed ice cold water and told facts about the location we were in.
Informing us of where exactly the Sierra de Mijas ends and our geographic location were the knowledgeable guides who were also keen to answer any questions.
After this pit stop we boarded our vehicles and headed back onto the road, this time an even more exhilarating journey was ahead of us.
Zooming higher up into the mountains we sped past trees and wildlife and caught glimpses of the white buildings that make up Mijas from well above the pavement.
After arriving back at the base, which is a short distance from Fuengirola, Banalmadena and Torremolinos, we realised the extent of what we had just experienced.
Not only was the adrenaline still pumping through our bodies, but we were also covered in dirt and water. It’s safe to say that you should bring a change of clothes with you to your quadbiking adventure.
Again we were sent over photos later that evening.
Canyoning
After pulling on our wetsuits and slipping on harnesses, we found ourselves on top of a rock on the Guadalmina river about to jump into the water.
We had met up with Marbella Adventures staff and were beginning our three hours of canyoning which would not only involve taking this leap but also many more, and lots of climbing and swimming too.
The activity allows you to step into spaces that are otherwise inaccessible with licensed guides who know how to navigate uneven rocks and more difficult climbs.
When we were not gliding down natural rock slides or jumping from heights, we were able to let the adrenaline settle with calming swims through towering cliffs.
The picturesque canyon is the home of lizards and turtles and while we did not spot these creatures we did witness a few frogs hopping about on the water’s edge.
Before our last refreshing swim down the river we even abseiled down from a height of six metres, clipped on to rope and being photographed using the guide’s GoPro camera.
By the time we reached the end of the route, the mix of cold water, sunshine and movement had left us happily exhausted.
What began as a nervous leap into the river had become a journey through one of the Costa del Sol’s most striking natural landscapes.
The meeting point for Marbella Adventures is just 15 minutes from San Pedro de Alcantara and half an hour from Marbella.
See clips from all the above adventures here.
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