The impressive Moorish legacy of the Alpujarras and the stunning Alhambra of Granada
Beautiful mountain trails at the perfect elevation for year-round hiking
Charming white-washed villages with narrow winding streets
Dramatic views of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada
Delicious local food, including mountain-cured hams and meat stews with exotic spices
Hiking in the Alpujarras & Granada
Self-guided walking holiday with luggage transportatioon
Starting and ending in Granada, against the dramatic backdrop of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountain range, this self-guided walking tour takes you through picturesque white-washed villages on hillsides that have been carefully terraced and irrigated since Moorish times. The Alpujarras are at the perfect elevation for year-round hiking and with well-trodden footpaths connecting each village, it’s an area that’s just begging to be explored on foot.
The lower reaches are home to a wide variety of traditional Mediterranean crops, from olive orchards, orange and lemon groves to almonds, figs and grapes. All of these ingredients make their way into the delicious local food dishes, along with lamb, rabbit and the famous cured ham of Trevélez. The cuisine retains its Moorish influences and dishes are often colourful and flavoured with Arabic spices.
As you move higher into the mountains, you will find an ancient web of hiking paths that lead you between rural hamlets; their Berber-style flat roofed houses offering panoramic views of the mountainous landscape and their winding lanes inviting further exploration.
Back in Granada, you can finish your Andalucían adventure in style with a visit to the eternal and stunning Alhambra, which is truly one of the wonders of the world!
| 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS | From €650 per person sharing*
*A high season supplement will apply during peak booking periods. |
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| ACCOMMODATION | For the two nights in Granada, you’ll be staying in a good centrally-located 3* hotel. For the nights in the Alpujarras, you will stay in small and charming family hotels, set in the beautiful white villages. All of them have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite.
Some of the hotels we work with are listed below. If a certain hotel is unable to confirm due to lack of availability, we will request a similar one and inform you about the alternative booked.
You can also book additional nights at any of the hotels along the way. |
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| AVAILABILITY | You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, from February 1st to June 24th, and from September 1st to December 22nd.
The best time for walking in Las Alpujarras is April to mid-June and mid-September to early November, when temperatures are just right and the vegetation is at its most colourful. The tour is unavailable in July & August due to very high temperatures and in January due to closed hotels. |
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Day 1: Arrive in Granada
From afar, the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada provide a spectacular backdrop to one of Europe’s most striking cityscapes. Once you get up close, Granada is an intriguing mix of the ancient and modern. Its Moorish architectural heritage is clear to see; the undoubted jewel in its crown being the stunning hilltop Alhambra palace, with its dazzling Islamic decor and landscaped gardens.
Away from the Alhambra, Granada also has an abundance of Moorish bathhouses, authentic flamenco clubs and tapas bars which still serve a free tapas-plate with each drink!
Your accommodation is at the Hotel Reina Cristina, a lovely city-centre hotel next to the cathedral.
Day 2: Bus to Capileira and walk through the Río Poqueira Valley
Option A – Distance: 10 km | Ascent: 560 m | Descent: 560 m | 5½ hrs approx.
OR
Option B – Distance: 7.4 km | Ascent: 350 m | Descent: 350 m | 3½ hrs approx.
After breakfast, you will take a local bus (with your luggage) to Capileira, the largest and highest of the Alpujarras’ villages, at 1436m. This pretty town has a very good selection of restaurants, as well as a long tradition for producing top quality leather goods. Capileira’s Moorish heritage is still clearly evident in its white-washed houses clinging to the hillside, its tiny squares with fountains, and a mysterious network of steep, narrow lanes.
Having checked in and deposited your luggage at your hotel, you have a choice of circular walks in the Río Poqueira Valley, from Capileira via Bubion to Pampaneira, passing ancient threshing circles as you make your way through the agricultural land of the high mountain slopes.
Overnight: Capileira
Day 3: From Capileira to Mecina Fondales
Distance: 7.5 km | Ascent: 315 m | Descent: 635 m | 3 hrs approx.
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.
Overnight: Mecina Fondales.
Day 4: Trevélez Valley walk
Distance: 19.6 km | Ascent: 1050 m | Descent: 530 m | 7 hrs approx.
A long but not too difficult route through the Trevélez River Valley with fantastic viewing points along the way. Today’s walk takes you to the highest village in the Alpujarras and (they claim) in all of Spain.
Trevélez is rightly famous among food-lovers as the home of some of Spain’s finest ham. This cured jamón serrano matures perfectly in the rarified mountain air of the Sierra and is best enjoyed with a glass of local wine while gazing out at the spectacular mountain scenery.
Today’s walk can easily be shortened by driving part of the way with your luggage and getting off in Pórtugos or Busquístar.
Overnight: Trevélez, dinner included.
Day 5: Choice of walks from Trevélez
Option 1 – Distance: 18 km | Ascent/Descent: 1400 m | 8 hrs approx.
Option 2 – Distance: 14 km | Ascent/Descent: 500 m | 5½ hrs approx.
Option 3 – Distance: 12 km | Ascent/Descent: 285 m | 3 hrs approx.
You have a choice of three fantastic walks to choose from today, including a spectacular longer walk high into the Sierra Nevada, a circular route in the beautiful surroundings of Trevélez or a shorter walk along the historic Camino de Granada.
Overnight: Trevélez, dinner included.
Day 6: Bérchules via El Portichuelo
Distance: 16 km | Ascent: 620 m | Descent: 880 m | 5½ hrs approx.
A pleasant route along narrow footpaths through shaded woodlands. The last section offers sweeping views over the Sierra Nevada. In clear weather, the African continent is visible from the highest point, El Portichuelo.
Overnight: Bérchules, dinner included.
Day 7: Acequia walk in Río Grande Valley, bus to Granada
Distance: 10 km | Ascent: 170 m | Descent: 170 m | 3 hrs approx.
On your final day you have the option of taking a morning bus and having the full day to explore Granada or taking one final walk in the Alpujarras before catching the bus to Granada in the afternoon.
The optional walk, in the valley north of Bérchules, follows an ancient irrigation channel to the ruins of a 13th century Moorish silk-washing house.
Once back in Granada, a visit to the magnificent Alhambra is not to be missed. Early evening is a great time to visit this magical place. Tickets are not included in the tour arrangements but can be pre-booked here.
Day 8: Departure
Our services end after breakfast, unless you have booked any additional services with us. We would be happy to book additional nights for you in Granada. Just let us know at the time of booking if you would like to extend your stay.
Getting to Granada
From Granada to Capileira
| / | By bus from Granada to Capileira: ALSA offers 3 services a day. Travel time 2h 30min.
Timetables: www.alsa.es Note: the bus station in Granada is located on the outskirts of town, so plan your travel time accordingly! |
Departure
| / | From Berchules, there are direct buses to Granada twice a day. The journey takes 3,5 hrs. Timetables: www.alsa.es
If you’re flying out of Granada airport (GRX) you can use public transport to get from Granada city centre to the airport. If you’re flying out of Málaga airport (AGP) there are direct services from Granada to Málaga airport (also via Málaga city centre). Travel time is about 2h15. |
Tour Reviews
I really loved this walking vacation! It has everything: culture with Al Hambra, beautiful villages and nice walks in nature. The hotels are all very nice and clean and the baggage always arrived there before I reached the hotel. The trails are not always very easy to follow so make sure to have both a gps and the route notes (I used my garmin phoenix 5s watch and it worked perfectly). It is also nice that you can chose how long you would like to walk on some days. I never really got lost and I am not a great navigator! I did get a few scratches here and there from some bushes but nothing too serious. I was travelling as a woman alone and never felt unsafe. Even though I did not meet a lot of other hikers on the trail, mostly there is phone network and the one place where there was no network (siete lagunas), there were plenty of other hikers. Also all of the hotels were aware of my imminent arrival so if I would not have come I am sure they would have inquired after my progress on the trail. Niall always replied to me very quickly to my inquiries and the local travel company in Spain was really helpful when I informed them that my luggage had gone missing by the airline.The hotels are aware that I am vegetarian and most of the meals were really amazing (and really a lot) All in all definetely worth booking this trip!
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