Alpujarras mountain trek

Arrival in Capileira, situated at an elevation of 1436m. This beautiful village of the Alpujarras still displays its charming history as a former Moorish settlement: white-washed houses clinging to the hillside, tiny squares with fountains, and a mysterious network of steep, narrow lanes.

Challenge: Arrival in the Alpujarras.

Villages along the way: Capileira

Circular walk along the Río Poqueira Valley, from Capileira via Bubion to Pampaneira. Walk through the remains of old farmhouses lost in time, passing ancient threshing circles as you walk among fields that look up at the stunning higher peaks of Sierra Nevada. In Pampaneira, colorful arts&crafts shops along with small cafés make a good rest for half-way.

Challenge: 7 km / 4,5 mi, 350 m ascent and descent, 3 h

                      9 km / 5,5 mi, 560 m ascent and descent, 5.5 h

Villages along the way: Capileira, Bubión, Pampaneira

Following old paths that connected the Poqueira valley with the small villages of the lower Alpujarras. Walking from one white-washed village to the next enjoying the varied scenery. Landscape changes gradually from an ancient Mediterranean holm oak forest, then pine tree plantations and finally irrigated fields approaching the "Taha" de Pitres, an ancient water council centre which dates back to Moorish times.

Challenge: 8 km / 5 mi, 200 m ascent, 520 m descent, 3 hrs.

Villages along the way: Bubión, Pitres, Mecina

South of Mecina, the Trevélez River has carved a deep gorge in the landscape, which you will cross twice today if you opt for the long circular walk. First you descend 200 m to a medieval bridge spanning the gorge, then climb 400 m up to a wooded plateau where the remote cortijo de Panjulia is located. Then you descend via an old main footpath (the so-called escarihuelas) back into the gorge and walk back to the hotel via the village of Ferreirola.

Challenge: 12 km / 7,5 mi, 5.5 - 6 hrs, 850 m ascent and descent

Villages on the way: Mecina, Ferreirola

This route takes you through the Trevélez river valley to fantastic vista points. You walk mainly through holm oak woods, reforestation projects, fields and pasture land. South of Mecina, the Trevélez River has carved a deep gorge in the landscape, which you will cross twice today if you opt for the long circular walk. First you descend 200 m to a medieval bridge spanning the gorge, then climb 400 m up to a wooded plateau where the remote cortijo de Panjulia is located. Along the way you can visit the remains of a Mozarabic settlement with a mosque from the 8-11th century via a small detour.

If this route seems too strenuous, you can take a shortcut along the villages that together make up the Taha: a kind of administrative unit that managed the use of the irrigation canals.

Challenge: 18 km / 11 mi, 1200 m ascent, 580 m descent, 7 hrs

      With shortcut : 12 km / 7,5 mi, 1000 m ascent, 470 m descent, 5.5 hrs

Villages along the way: Busquístar

Trevélez has lots to offer so there are walks to choose from today: a spectacular longer walk high into the Sierra Nevada, a circular route in the interesting area around Trevélez and a shorter walk along part of the Camino de Granada, the way that pilgrims followed when coming from the south and heading to Santiago de Compostela.

Challenge: Valle Río Trevélez: 14 km / 8,5 mi, 500 m ascent and descent, 5.5 hrs.

                       Camino de Granada: 17 km / 10,5 mi, 550 m ascent and descent, 5.5 hrs.

                       Cañada de las Siete Lagunas: 18 km / 11 mi, 1400 m ascent and descent, 8 hrs.                  

Villages along the way: Tiny villages of the Sierra Nevada

Leaving Trevélez, the day starts along a pleasant route through a shady wood along narrow paths. The last section will provide sweeping views of the African continent visible, on clear days, from the highest point - El Portichuelo.

Challenge: 16 km / 10 mi, 620 m ascent, 880 m descent, 5.5 hrs.

Villages along the way: Bérchules

In the morning there is still the option of hiking along the Río Grande Valley, north of Bérchules, following an irrigation channel or "acequia" and discovering the ruins of a 13th century Moorish silk-washing house that takes back to the historical importance of this area in the textile industry of the time. This afternoon you catch an afternoon bus to Granada.

We highly recommend booking an extra night in Bérchules to make this an 8-day trip and be able to enjoy a day in Granada.

Challenge: 9.5 km / 6 mi, 170 m ascent and descent, 3 hrs.