Timeline
07:40
Grab a quick breakfast of fresh fruit or a savory pastry at the Central Market. It opens early, making it the perfect first stop to fuel up before the hike.
08:10
Walk up to the Rostrogordo Pine Forest. Arriving just before sunrise lets you enter the trails while the air is still cool and the pine scent is strongest. The light is soft and the trails are empty.
09:20
Descend to Horcas Coloradas Beach. By mid-morning, the golden light from the earlier sunrise has settled into a bright, warm glow over the reddish rock formations. It is a short walk from the forest area and offers a calm place to stretch your legs by the sea.
10:20
Head back towards the city center to Hernandez Park area. Stop at McDonald's for a simple lunch or coffee. It is open from 12:30, fitting perfectly into the midday window, and is close to your starting point.
Local tip
The Central Market is busiest in the late morning. Going early ensures you get the freshest produce and a quieter experience.
Check before you go
- The Central Market opens early but check the exact daily opening time as it can vary.
- McDonald's opens at 12:30, so plan your beach visit to finish before then if you want to eat there.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Melilla (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).