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Andalucia - Trek |
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The
Alpujarra - Spain |
The Area
The Alpujarra is one of the most wild and
undiscovered mountain ranges of Spain, stretching from the highest peaks
of the Sierra Nevada down to the Mediterranean below. Life has changed
little since the Moors first cultivated the terraces many centuries ago
and you are likely to see the farmers tending the land with their mules
and the local women washing clothes in the village springs or shelling
almonds by hand. The tiny whitewashed villages which cling to the
mountain side are linked by the
ancient track of the Camino Real or GR7 and you will walk amongst olive
and almond groves, crossing tiny mountain springs with the snow capped
mountains above and the Mediterranean in the distance below. Whatever
the season, whether it is the stunning almond blossom in February and
March, the flowers of late spring and early summer or the colours and
fruits of autumn (when you will be able to pick almonds, wild figs,
mulberries and grapes along your route) you are unlikely to bump into
any other walkers apart from the odd shepherd tending his herds.
Sometimes the route takes you high into the Sierra amongst pine forests
where you may see ibex, birds of prey or even wild boar.
The Walking
You will mainly follow the long
distance footpath of the GR7 which is sometimes a narrow donkey track
amongst terraces at others a wider track in the higher Sierra between
the pine trees. Most of the villages you stay in are at a similar
altitude though some days you lose and gain height with the hardest day
including a climb as much as 700 metres. Walks are between 4- 7 hours a
day
Self Guided
Available all year around.
However, we would not recommend July and August due to the high summer
temperatures. You can walk entirely at your own pace and we provide
extensive walking notes giving distances, route directions, ascents,
descents and walking times. If you wish to lengthen the holiday we can
easily add rest days when you make the booking.
The Route
Day
1 You will be transferred from either Almeria or Granada airport (or
Malaga with an additional charge) to Mairena,known as the Balcony of the
Alpujarra with its panoramic views down to the Med and on especially
clear days in winter across to the Atlas mountains beyond.
Day 2 You are transferred high above Mairena and spend the day
walking back along a wild river valley with an overall descent of 750
metres. Starting off in the high Sierra watch out for birds of prey,
ibex and wild boar! Later you will come to the villages of Laroles and
the tiny hamlet of Jubar where you can stop for a welcome drink before
having your first taste of the lovely cultivated terraces of the lower
Sierra. 11 miles, 6
hours (overall descent 750 metres, overall ascent 180 metres) .
Day 3 Today you walk west from Mairena across almond terraces and
lavender fields via the village of Valor , famous for its silk
production in the past. There is a wonderful picnic
spot under the original Moorish bridge next to the river before you
continue on to Yegen passing the natural iron water springs of Cuesta
Vinas before a short steep climb to the
village of Yegen, where the Hispanist Gerald Brenan lived and wrote his
famous book “South of Granada” 7 miles, 4 hours, (overall descent 130
metres overall ascent 120 metres).
Day 4 A fabulous, varied walk which takes you from the cultivated
terraces down to the sculpted shapes of desert-like bad lands then up
again to craggy alpine high valleys. This is magical territory with its
wild rock formations and sense of the undiscovered and a super spot for
bird watchers. Look out for bee eaters, rollers, hoopoes and Bonelli
Eagles at the right time of year. You climb to the pine forests above
Berchules and come down the ancient track and the valley which used to
be the old silk trading route connecting the Alpujarra with Granada. 10
miles, 5 -6 hours, (overall descent 240 metres,
overall ascent 500 metres).
Day 5 You climb steeply out of Berchules up to the highest point
of the trek westward crossing the ridge at 2000 metres. (A gradual climb
of 700 metres) The scenery is changing now as you come to the foothills
of Mulhacen, the highest mountain in Spain, dropping down to the steep
sided rugged valley of Trevelez famous for its air-dried ham and
artisanal shops. 10 miles, 5-6 hours (overall descent 500 metres,
overall ascent
700 metres).
Day 6 Today you walk through the oak and pine forests to the
famous Poqueira gorge and the beautiful village of Bubion. 12 miles, 6-7
hours (overall descent 200 metres, overall down 400 metres).
Day 7 You can either have two nights in Bubion and enjoy a local
walk in the spectacular gorge, or alternatively there is the option of a
transfer back to Mairena, where, weather
permitting, you can cap the week with an ascent to the summit of San
Juan (2750 metres)
Day 8 Transfer back to the airport for your flight home.
The hotels and food
We have chosen hotels
for their intimacy and charm. They are all small family run
hotels which are very much part of the village community and each has
its own character. From Mairena, a beautifully converted village house
(parts of which date back centuries) to Bubion, where the hotel is laid
out as a Moorish village, you will find a delightful combination of
rustic charm and modern conveniences. All rooms have their own bath or
shower (depending on the hotel) and English is widely spoken. Dinner is
included every night and you will the have chance to savour the best of
Andalucian cuisine.
Baggage transfer
Your luggage is transported for you from
hotel to hotel so you can then travel with
day rucksacks.
How to get there
Of the local airports Malaga has the most
flights to the UK, followed by Almeria and closely
followed by Granada. Closest to Bubion is Granada (1½
hours), further afield is Almeria (2½
hours) and Malaga (2¾ hours away). Closest to Chimenas is Almeria
(1¾ hours) Granada (2 hours) and Malaga (3¼
hours).Included in the price is the transfer to the closest
airport with the others available at a supplement.
When to go
March to June is
superb for wild flowers, clear skies and a vista of snow capped
mountains
an ideal time for keen photographers. From September to November the
harsh summer
light starts to mellow as the landscape turns golden yellow and mornings
become soft and
dewy. July and August we feel the summer heat is too intense to make
walking a pleasure.
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