Walking Holidays in Spain - Mainland - Andalucia - Hotel to Hotel Trek

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 of as much as 700 metres. Walks are between 4- 7 hours a day.

Baggage transfer

Your luggage is transported for you from hotel to hotel so you can then travel with day rucksacks.

Walk Grading

Self Guided - Moderate

For information about walking grades please click here

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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. Overnight Mairena.

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)  OR take a slightly less high route around the Laroles valley from the hotel. Overnight Mairena.

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”. 10 miles 4 hours (overall descent 250 metres overall ascent 250 metres). Overnight Yegen.

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  hours (overall descent 380 metres overall ascent 550 metres). Overnight Berchules.

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. 11 miles, 5  hours (overall descent 820 metres, overall ascent 990 metres). Overnight Trevelez.

Day 6 Today you walk from Trevelez to the beautiful village of Capileira. You can take either the low level tranquil contouring Pista Forestal (13 miles, 5 hours  descent 500 metres,  ascent 370 metres) or the high level SulAyr path on the high southern flank of the Sierra Nevada (14 miles, 5½ hours   descent 970 metres,  ascent 860 metres). Overnight Capileira.

Day 7 You can either have two nights in Capileira and enjoy a local walk in the spectacular Poqueira 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 mts) or take a more gentle local walk.

Day 8 Transfer back to the airport for your flight home.

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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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