Welcome to Hooked on Walking Holidays and our walking holiday in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This walking holiday starts in Granada the home of the famous Alhambra Palace and then takes you to explore a region of the Sierra Nevada Mountains call the Alpujarra. This walking holiday is available as a seven night self guided walking tour.
The Alpujarra is a region of mountain villages to the south of the Sierra Nevada mountains which nestle in sheltered valleys and gorges running down towards the Mediterranean Sea. Its terraced farmlands have a year-round supply of water from melting snow above, giving the area the appearance of a high-altitude oasis. This is ideal hiking terrain.
Culturally the area is fascinating because its fifty or so villages were the last stronghold of the Spanish Muslims. Those “Moriscos” (Muslim-Christian “converts”) who still practiced their original religion and customs in private after the fall of Granada in 1492 took to the hills in the face of increasing pressure from the Catholics, settling in this remote, inaccessible area. These unique villages have held on to their past. You can still see traditional architecture similar to that used by the Berber tribes of North Africa: terraced clusters of square houses with flat clay and slate roofs, like those to be found in the Rif and Atlas mountains of Morocco.

Here we invite you to enjoy a week of intermediate level hiking staying in peaceful family run hotels in three different villages. The first of these (the highest, at 1,470m) is Trevélez which is famous for its ham-curing. The high mountain air and the area’s own special bio-climate during the curing process (minimum one year) give the ham its special taste. This ham is exported all over northern Europe and even to Japan. During your stay you can visit one of these famous “secaderos” where they will explain the whole process in detail.

The second village you stay in is Busquístar, which means “hidden Moorish paradise”. It is one of the best examples of typical Alpujarran architecture, especially in the use of “launa” (a special type of clay found in this area) in roof construction. Nearby there are the legendary ruins of an ancient mosque, located on a rocky outcrop, from where the most spectacular view of the old “Taha” can be observed. “Taha” is a word derived from the Arabic meaning “group of villages”. In the 13th Century the Alpujarra region was divided into 8 tahas, of which this was the last to remain intact. It is made up of seven villages, all of which you pass en route to our next destination, Bubión.

Bubión is the last village you will stay in on this hike.  It is situated in the Poqueira valley, at some 1300m above sea level. The Poquiera valley, carved out millions of years ago by the Poqueira river in its descent from the year round snows above to the sub-tropical coast to the south, is spectacular for its contrasting landscapes. Here we will also spend two nights and have the chance to visit the villages of Capileira and Pampaneira on our last day of hiking, before our return to Granada.

Available daily March to October ( Level 2 self guided tour )

Day 1 Arrival in Granada
A short ride will bring you into the city centre where you will find your hotel, a small hotel right in the center of town and just a few hundred metres from the grand Cathedral. Here we will welcome you with one of our good Spanish wines. In the afternoon you will visit the Alhambra, a complex of fortress, royal palaces and gardens. It is one of Europe’s most visited monuments and you will see why. Built in the 14th / 15th Centuries it survives in almost perfect condition to this day. At night you can try the famous “tapas” and perhaps discover some traditional flamenco.

Day 2 Granada-Trevélez
After breakfast you still can have a stroll through the delightful streets of Granada before taking a local bus (they are modern and comfortable) to Trevélez (at 12 or at 17 o´clock). The journey takes about 3 hours, but the time will fly watching the landscape change as you leave Granada and climb up into the mountains to penetrate the inaccessible lands that were the last stronghold of Granada’s Moorish population.

Day 3 Trevélez-Tevélez (along Trevélez river)
The first part of the hike climbs high above the village of Trevélez (approx. 2,000m). After about three hours we cross the river for the first time. From there you follow the course of the river back down to the village. This river is rich in trout and on your return you could try a specialty of the area: trout with cured ham. Walking time approx. 5 hours , terrain up / down 500

Day 4 Trevélez - Busquistar
Today you walk to your next destination, Busquistar, passing through an oak forest, accompanied by the alluring scent of thyme, oregano and lavender. In Busquistar you stay in an old restored village house, once the residence of the village notary. Enjoy the stunning views of the valley from the balcony of your room . Walking time approx.  5 hours , terrain up /down 400 / 700 m

Day 5 Rest Day
During your rest day you could go for a gentle walk in search of the ruins of an ancient mosque, or perhaps you would prefer to go on horseback . You will also have a description for another full day hike!

Day 6 Busquístar-Bubión
From Busquistar you pass through most of the villages of the “taha”, passing through horse chestnut forest and terraced fields, whose network of Moorish irrigation channels, built in the 10th -11th centuries, function to this day. Finally you get to a stone outcrop from where there is a magnificent view of the whole Poquiera valley, crowned by the majestic peak of Veleta (3,391m). From here you head zigzagging down to your destination, Bubion. Walking time approx. 4 hours , terrain up / down 500 / 300m

Day 7 Bubión-Bubión
Your last hike takes place in the deep, steep Poqueira valley, passing through the picturesque villages of Capileira and Pampaneira. These are two of the most famous villages of the Alpujarra for their instantly recognizable architecture and for their local crafts (especially hand-woven drapes, fabrics and carpets). Not to mention the typical Alpujarran cuisine. Walking time 4-5 hours , terrain down 600m 

Day 8 Bubión-Granada
Early in the morning you head back to Granada by bus. Make the most of the ride to enjoy scenery unique in Europe as you wind through the mountains. From the bus station of Granada there are daily buses almost every hour to the airport of Málaga. If you have enough time, you can visit Granada again (leave your luggage in the bus station) 

Best time to travel: Although you can hike all year round in the Alpujarra, it is best to avoid August on account of the high temperatures and the influx of national tourism. The most beautiful months in the Alpujarra are May-June for the explosion of spring flowers, and September-October for the intense light and colours of Autumn. Nevertheless you can hike throughout the winter, as long as you bring warm clothes.

We can personalize your holiday in the way you want, organizing for example all kinds of extra activities like horse riding, climbing, skiing, biking, etc.

Difficulty: Day-walks of 4 to 5 hours during which you climb and descend an average of 500 m.Basic knowledge of orientation (map and compass) is necessary.
Accommodation: Family run hotels

2008 Prices

How to get there
By Plane to Malaga or to Granada . Check out Easyjet , FlyGlobespan
Ryan air now flies to Granada from London and Liverpool . Ryanair
Then by bus or train to Granada from Malaga or a short transfer if you fly into Granada

To view other walking holidays in Spain Picos12 , Picos8 , Catalonia , Sierra de Gredos , Majorca , St James Way, Tenerife ,, White Villages of Andalusia , Guided tour in Andalusia, Costa Blanca , Pearl of the Balearic , Ordesa , Green coast of Asturias

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Cycling Holidays in Spain

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