Four-Day Walking Showcase Draws Thousands Along Marbella Coast Marbella 4Days Walking celebrates its 15th anniversary as over 4,000 international participants take over scenic coastal and mountain routes. Over 4,000 enthusiastic hikers and active walkers have filled the avenues and countryside trails of Marbella as the 15th anniversary edition of the famous Marbella 4Days Walking concluded its extensive routes this weekend. The event, which ranks among the largest four-day walking festivals across Spain, drew an exceptionally strong expat and northern European turnout, with Dutch, Belgian, British and Scandinavian participants leading the registration sheets. Participants set off each morning in staggered waves between 08:00 and 11:30, choosing from daily courses spanning 10 to 15 kilometres, 20 to 25 kilometres, and grueling 30 to 35-kilometre loops. The carefully mapped itineraries carried walkers across a scenic contrast of terrain, weaving through the historic whitewashed alleys of the Old Town, rising up into the rugged Mediterranean foothills behind La Concha, and tracking the broad seaside promenade along the western beaches. High Spirits and the Famous Via Gladiolo The week combined athletic endurance with lively community festivities. Following the festive White Party and mid-route gatherings across town, Sunday saw participants tackle the demanding Lago route. Finishing through the celebratory arch of the Via Gladiolo, walkers were greeted by cheers, live acoustic music and official medals marking four consecutive days of coastal trekking. Logistics across the municipality ran like clockwork, supported by local civil protection officers, volunteer water stations and designated medical checkpoints. The town centre hummed with camaraderie as walkers swapped walking poles for terrace tapas, celebrating the milestone anniversary in true Andalusian fashion. Active Tourism Redefining the Autumn Economy Events like the four-day walk showcase the powerful economic weight of active shoulder-season tourism on the western Costa del Sol. Rather than staying confined to beach beds, visiting walkers and their families explore local cafes, traditional bodegas and independent retail shops across town. Organisers have already praised municipal services and local hospitality venues for supporting the massive influx. The success of this 15th edition reinforces the municipality's position as a premier European destination for outdoor recreation, walking escapes and autumn sports long after the traditional summer peak has passed.