Spanish & Hiking in the Alpujarra

The Alpujarra

The Alpujarra is a region of mountain villages to the south of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which nestle in sheltered valleys and gorges running down towards the Mediterranean Sea. Its terraced farmlands have a year-round supply of water from melting snow above, giving the area the appearance of a high-altitude oasis.

Its strategic location close to the Mediterranean beside the high mountains, which are declared National Park (at high elevations) and Nature Reserve (villages were settled here) makes this region home to an authentic treasure of flora and fauna; in short, the perfect place for walking and hiking.

Culturally the area is fascinating because its fifty or so villages were the last strongholds of the Spanish Muslims. Those «Moriscos» (Muslim-Christian «converts») who still practiced their original religion and customs in private after the fall of Granada and in 1492 took to the hills in the face of increasing pressure from the Catholics, settling in this remote, inaccessible area. These unique villages have held on to their past. You can still see traditional architecture similar to that used by the Berber tribes of North Africa: terraced clusters of square houses with flat clay and slate roofs, like those to be found in the Rif and Atlas mountains of Morocco.

Here we invite you to enjoy 6 days of easy-intermediate level hiking staying in peaceful family run hotels in three different villages.

 

Programme

Starting dates: every week

Sunday / Day 1: Transfer Granada – Trevélez
After breakfast you still can have a stroll through the delightful streets of Granada before taking a local bus to Trevélez (the highest at 1,470m) which is famous for its ham-curing. The journey takes about 3 hours, but the time will fly watching the landscape change as you leave Granada and climb up into the mountains to penetrate the inaccessible lands that were the last stronghold of Granada’s Moorish population.   

Monday / Day 2: Trevélez – Trevélez
5 hours / 14 km
The first part of the hike climbs high above the village of Trevélez (approx. 2,000m). After about three hours you cross the Trevélez river for the first time. From there you follow the course of the river back down to the village. This river is rich in trout and on your return you could try a specialty of the area: trout with cured ham.   

Tuesday / Day 3: Trevélez – Busquístar
5 hours /14 km
Today you walk to your next destination, Busquístar, passing through an oak forest, accompanied by the alluring scent of thyme, oregano and lavender. Busquístar means «hidden Moorish paradise». It is one of the best examples of typical Alpujarra architecture. Here you stay in an old restored village house, once the residence of the village notary. Enjoy the stunning views of the valley from the balcony of your room.   

Wednesday / Day 4: Rest Day in Busquístar
During your rest day you could go for a gentle walk in search of the ruins of an ancient mosque, or perhaps you would prefer to go on horseback. You will also have a description for another full day hike!   

Thursday / Day 5: Busquístar – Capileira
3-4 hours /11 km
From Busquístar you pass through most of the villages of the «Taha», passing through horse chestnut forests and terraced fields, whose network of Moorish irrigation channels, built in the 10th-11th centuries, function to this day. Finally you get to a stone outcrop from where there is a magnificent view of the whole Poqueira valley, crowned by the majestic peak of Veleta (3,391m). From here you head zigzagging down to Bubion, from where you continue to your last destination, Capileira.

Friday / Day 6: Capileira - Granada
Today there is time to explore the village Capileira, and buy something to remember the taste of the Alpujarras or to make a last hike in the barranco de Poqueira, before taking the bus to Granada.

Price per person: 385 €  
Single room supplement per person: 85 €
Half board supplement per person: 90 €
              
If the tour is booked just by 1 person, than the price is 595 € for the tour including the single room.

The price includes: This tour is a self-guided tour for a minimum of 2 participants enrolling together, ideal for those travelling independently, on their own. We organize the whole journey: accommodation with breakfast (or half board) is booked, the luggage is being transferred on each stage and all the necessary information provided (a map of the Sierra Nevada 1:40.000 with the route marked, full descriptions of each stage and cultural and useful information about the region.