Trails of Las Alpujarras Walking Holiday

Trails of Las Alpujarras

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.3 Read 29 reviews

Walk between the villages of Las Alpujarras, on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada
Wake up to wonderful mountain views from rural hotels in idyllic locations
Sample delicious local food—dried hams and dishes with an explosion of spices
Discover Trevelez, the highest village in Spain, at the foot of the mighty Mulhacen
Explore Poqueira Gorge and the charming white villages of Bubion and Pampaneira

Walk between ancient white villages in the Alpujarras, which cling to the southern slopes of the snow-dusted Sierra Nevada mountains of Spain’s Andalucia. From Capileira, principal town of the Alpujarras, walk through bucolic farmland, olive groves and tiny Berber-style villages, former strongholds of the Spanish Moors. Breathe in the fresh mountain air and discover the second highest village in Spain, Trevelez, below the mighty peak of Mulhacén. As you walk, pause for a rest, and enjoy a picnic of delicious local specialities, including the famous ’jamon serrano’. Stay overnight in small rural hotels in idyllic spots surrounded by lofty mountains, and enjoy a warm welcome and truly authentic experience of rural Spain.

What To Expect

Travel Restrictions

Perfect if you are looking to explore an untouched part of rural Spain brimming with Moorish history and rewarding walking trails. The walking is graded as moderate-strenuous, through rugged mountainous terrain and daily walks are between 10 and 17km with ascents of between 415m and 935m on a mixture of unsurfaced tracks, footpaths and animal trails. Overnight stays are in small rural hotels in great locations in the heart of beautiful valleys and surrounded by mountains, who offer a genuine, warm welcome to walkers.

Trip Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent holiday.

Activity:

Multi Centre Walking | You will spend multiple nights in one or more of the locations on this walking holiday

Grade & Terrain

This walking tour is graded moderate to strenuous overall. Walks are between 3-8 hours on a mixture of unsurfaced tracks, footpaths and animal trails with the occasional section on surfaced tracks or small tarmac roads. Some of the terrain is quite rocky and you may encounter some loose rocks or muddy/slippery sections in wet weather. Ascents are between 330 and 1130m with descents of up to 920m. There is also an optional walk to the Sietes Lagunas from Trevelez. This is a serious hike and previous mountain experience is strongly advisable. It involves around 1350m of ascent and descent. Please check the weather forecast before leaving; unfortunately we cannot recommend this walk if storm, heavy rain or low visibility is expected and we do not recommend this walk for solo walkers. During the summer months of June and September the walking may become more difficult due to the higher temperatures at that time of year and we recommend setting off early on those days.

Navigation

The routes on this trip are generally waymarked but we will also provide detailed route notes and maps. You will also have access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App enabling you to follow the route using your phone’s GPS so using this combined with the provided route notes and maps means you should have no problems finding your way. You can simply download the GPX tracks to your phone for offline use and off you go!

Accommodation Information

8 Nights accommodation in small rural hotels in the Alpujarras, and 2 nights in a 3 or 4* hotel in Granada are included in your tour.

The accommodation we normally use is detailed below. We may sometimes have to use alternative hotels subject to availability but if this is the case we will always let you know when confirming your booking.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

Single rooms are available and a single supplement is payable. This trip is available to solo walkers but we recommend that you are an experienced walker who is comfortable with navigation, has walked in rougher, mountainous terrain before and is comfortable with steep ascents/descents and some steep drop-offs.

Meals

10 Breakfasts are included and usually consist of breads, fruits, cheeses and meats. Dinners are included on 6 nights—the first night in Capileira, 2 nights in Trevelez, 1 night in Berchules and 2 nights in Mairena. Lunches, (and dinners on the days not mentioned above) are not included but you will find suggestions in your route notes of local places to eat. The food is a real highlight in this part of Andalucia and you will feast on hearty local specialities (usually quite meat-based) such as Plato Alpujarreno (tasty dish made with sausage, potatoes and eggs), Trucha con Jamon (trout with ham) and Cocido Alpujarreno (a rich stew).

Included

7 Nights in small rural hotels
7 Breakfasts
4 Dinners in Trevelez and Capileira (First night)
Luggage transfers as per itinerary
Detailed route notes, maps and pre-departure information pack
GPX tracks and access to our smartphone app
24/7 Emergency telephone support

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to Capileira/from Berchules
Lunches, snacks and drinks
Dinners in Ferreirola and 2nd night in Capilieira
Personal equipment

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the tour

When To Go

You can start this tour on any day of the week subject to availability between March to June, and then again from September to November. We do not offer this tour in July and August as it is too hot for enjoyable walking then.

Weather and Climate

The Alpujarras is enjoyable most of the year round and each season has it’s own highlights. The spring months of March and April are fantastic if you want to see the bird migrations in full swing and a profusion of flowers in bloom. The temperatures start to heat up in May and June and the slopes are filled with colourful butterflies and bee-eater birds. In the autumn months the days start to cool down, chestnuts fall from the trees and the colours turn to more shades of brown and golden. We do not offer this tour in July and August as it is too hot for enjoyable walking then.

Getting to the Start

By Air: Granada Airport is the closest and most convenient airport to fly into to get to Capileira. There are international flights to Granada from London with airlines like British Airways and Easyjet, as well as connections via other Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona with airlines such as Vueling and Iberia. From Granada, you can take the ALSA bus directly to Capileira (3 a day, 2.5hrs). Alternatively you can fly into Malaga Airport, which has more connections from the rest of the UK and across Europe with low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, Vueling and Easyjet, and travel by bus via Granada (approx. 4.5hrs in total).

By Train: Granada is connected by rail to many other large Spanish cities such as Almeria (3h), Cordoba (3h), Ronda (2.5h) Seville and Madrid (4h). Rail tickets for Spanish rail travel can be booked on the Renfe website.

Getting from the End

By Air: We recommend flying out of Granada Airport which is again the closest and most convenient airport to Berchules. From Berchules, take the ALSA bus to Granada (3 times a day, 3hrs).

Malaga is another option but you would need to make your way via Granada by bus which takes a bit longer (approx. 5.5hrs).

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight stay. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

General Information

The reviews for this tour up until December 2019, are based on a previous itinerary. As of December 2019, minor changes and improvements have been made including getting the routes all checked and route notes re-written as well as some of the accommodations having been upgraded.

This tour is available to start on any day of the week from March through to June, and then from September to November. The temperatures during these months should be very pleasant. We do not offer the tour in July and August due to high temperatures at this time of year.

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Equipment

Your detailed information pack will be sent to you after you book. This has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, waterproof clothes and a day pack.

How far in advance do I need to book?

How fit do I need to be?

How do the Baggage transfers work?

What happens if I can't walk a stage?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Capileira Day 2 Poqueira Gorge Loop Walk 6 miles / 9.5 km

Starting and finishing in Capileira, a lovely loop takes you around the Poqueira Gorge, stopping off at the sleepy white villages of Bubion and Pampaneira, once a refuge to the last remaining Moorish settlements, after the city of Granada fell to the Christians in 1492.

Enjoy great views of the high peaks ahead and the Alpujarras laid out below, as you walk through a lush valley filled with almond terraces and grazing cattle. You will pass by many of the acequias (water channels which feed the valley). Pampaneira is the perfect place to stop for refuelling, with its colourful shops and cafes serving local specialities such as Plato Alpujarreno (fried eggs, Spanish sausages and potatoes).

After boosting your energy, continue up the other side of the gorge, ascending steeply back to Capileira, and enjoying more incredible views on the way

Ascent: +560m / Descent: -560m

Overnight Capileira

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Finca Los Llanos | Hotel

Finca Los Llanos is a Rural Hotel located in the village of Capileira, 1436 meters above sea level, one of the highest villages of the Iberian Peninsula. The Poqueira River descends through the gorge taking to the sea the water of the melted snow of Sierra Nevada Natural and National Park, passing through ancient villages that hang on the slopes of the mountain, as if they were sliding down the Poqueira Gorge. The hotel has become one of the favorite spots in the Poqueira Gorge, to rest, relax and enjoy the nature.

Hotel Real de Poqueira | Hotel

This charming hotel located opposite the church has been converted from an historic house and renovated to 3 star rating, keeping some of the original details in its renovation. Tiled floors and stonewalls combine a rustic style with a minimalist touch. The rooms are elegant and comfortable. The hotel has free Wi-Fi in all of the rooms and a games room supplied with board games, newspapers and television. Summertime visitors can enjoy our swimming pool, solarium and summer terrace. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, heating, phone, satellite Tv, desk, private bathroom with hairdryer and toiletries, and an outdoor balcony.

Day 3 Walk to Ferreirola 6.5 miles / 11.2 km Day 4 Taha Valley Loop Walk 9.5 miles / 15.5 km Day 5 Walk to Trevelez 10.5 miles / 17 km Day 6 Choice of walks from Trevelez 7.5 miles / 12 km

Enjoy great mountain views as you take a route alongside the Trevelez river high above the village, which flows all year due to snow-melt from the Sierra Nevada.

Walk though terraced farmland and perhaps pass by some grazing cows, before returning to the village for some well-earned refreshments. In the evening enjoy dinner at your hotel, perhaps sampling some of the local fresh trucha (trout).

There is also an optional more challenging walk available today to the Siete Lagunas. This challenging walk climbs much higher into the mountains than you’ve been so far, as you ascend towards the Siete Lagunas valley. Shortly after leaving Trevelez you will pop above the tree-line which ensures unobstructed views, both to the craggy and formidable peaks above and to the luscious and verdant valley below. This is a serious hike and previous mountain experience is strongly advisable. Please check the weather forecast before leaving; unfortunately we cannot recommend this trip if storm, heavy rain or low visibility is expected and we would not recommend it for solo walkers. In such circumstances, seize the opportunity to explore the beautiful village of Trevelez!

Ascent/Descent: 619m

Optional Siete Lagunas Walk: 1350m

Overnight Trevélez

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel La Fragua II | Hotel

Hotel La fragua II opened its doors in 2001 and was built and decorated thinking on the mountain and alpine environment giving each of the rooms a rural style proper of the rural area it is placed. Built respecting the local tradition, Hotel La Fragua II sits perfectly with its natural setting. You can also enjoy fabulous views over the mountains of Sierra Nevada. Our delightful rooms offer an ambience of warmth, sophistication and unique feeling, seeming to be in the purest nature.

Hotel La Fragua I | Hotel

Hotel La fragua I was built in the 80’s in order to be the first mountain hotel in Trevélez. It was thought for mountain lovers, trekkers and, people who come to enjoy the nature. Hotel La Fragua I offers fourteen rooms. They have been decorated thinking on the mountain and alpine environment, and giving each of the rooms a rural style proper of the rural area it is placed. Built respecting the local tradition, Hotel La Fragua I sits perfectly with its natural setting.