view of hilltop village in the Alpujarras
view of hilltop village in the Alpujarras

Alpujarras: Wild Andalusia

Level
3
Distance
91 km
Duration
8 days | 7 nights
period
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
price from
€ 650
CO2 footprint
137 Kg/person
  1. Spain
  2.  | 
  3. Self-Guided
  4.  | 
  5. Tourcode ESSWS15

On the south-western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, a mountainous area called the Alpujarras still recalls its Moorish origins.

The charm of this Arabic legacy remains, here at the perfect elevation for a true alpine experience.

At the foot of the Sierra Nevada, all sorts of Mediterranean crops thrive: olive orchards, orange and lemon groves, almonds, figs and grapes, against a backdrop of snowy peaks.

Dramatic views from enchanting white-washed villages, where terraced fields and authentic irrigation channels survive, remnants of an era gone by.

Highlights

  • Walks through high terrain in beautiful mountainous surroundings;
  • Charming Moorish villages with white-washed houses built along steep, narrow lanes;
  • Diverse Mediterranean vegetation against the snowy peaks of Sierra Nevada;
  • Remains of ancient irrigation channels and Moorish threshing pits.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Capileira

Arrival in Capileira

Arrival in Capileira, situated at an elevation of 1436m. This, the main 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.

Day 2

Through Río Poqueira Valley, 7 km/9 km

Through Río Poqueira Valley, 7 km/9 km

Circular walk in the Río Poqueira Valley, from Capileira via Bubion to Pampaneira, passing ancient threshing circles as you walk among fields. Some steep ascents and descents.

Distance: 7 or 9 Km

Ascent/Descent: +560/-560 m

Day 3

From Capileira to Mecina Fondales, 8 km

From Capileira to Mecina Fondales, 8 km
Today you Follow old paths that connect 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.

Distance: 8 Km

Ascent/Descent: +200/-520 m

Day 4

Circular walks from Mecina, 12 km

Circular walks from Mecina, 12 km
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.

Distance: 12 Km

Ascent/Descent: +850/-850 m

Day 5

From Mecina to Trevélez, 18 km/12 km

From Mecina to Trevélez, 18 km/12 km

A pleasant route through a shady wood along narrow paths. The last section with sweeping views. In clear weather, the African continent is visible from the highest point, El Portichuelo.

Distance: 18 or 12 Km

Ascent/Descent: +1200/-580 m

Day 6

Choice of walks from Trevélez, 14 km/17 km/18 km

Choice of walks from Trevélez, 14 km/17 km/18 km

3 walks to choose from, including a spectacular longer walk high into the Sierra Nevada, a circular route in the beautiful area around Trevélez and a shorter walk along the Camino de Granada.

Distance: 14, 17 or 18 Km

Ascent/Descent: +1400/-1400 m

Day 7

Ascent to El Portichuelo, 16 km

Ascent to El Portichuelo, 16 km

Optional walk today in the Río Grande Valley north of Bérchules, following an irrigation channel or "acequia" past the ruins of a 13th century Moorish silk-washing house. This afternoon you catch an afternoon bus to Granada.

Distance: 16 Km

Ascent/Descent: +620/-880 m

Day 8

Goodbye Alpujarras / or Acequia walk in Río Grande Valley, 9,5 km

Goodbye Alpujarras / or Acequia walk in Río Grande Valley, 9,5 km
Last day is included. Service ends after breakfast.

Details

Is this for me?


This trip is made for you if you'd like to discover Andalusia's wilder side, among mountains, moorish villages and the Sierra Nevada peaks. We suggest that you choose it only if you have previous experience of hiking trips, as some of the hikes may result quite challenging for a beginner. 

Included


What is included

  • 7 Nights in double room in **/*** hotels with breakfast
  • 3 dinners
  • luggage transportation from hotel to hotel on day 3, 5 and 7
  • maps and detailed description of the itinerary
  • Pilgrim Passport
  • Medical and luggage travel insurance
  • 24h phone assistance

What is not included 

  • Transfers to the starting location and from the arriving location of the tour
  • lunches and dinners, if not otherwise stated
  • visits and entrance fees - tips
  • personal expense
  • possible sojourn taxes
  • everything that is not mentioned in the "What is included" section.

Optional Services

These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour:

  • Single room supplement
  • cancellation insurance
  • Transfers to reach the starting location or to leave the arriving location of the tour, which will be quoted on request.

Accommodation


We work with 3* hotels, B&Bs and farmhouses that reflect our way of experiencing travel: they are comfortable and characterful structures, which we choose one by one, managed by passionate and welcoming people.

Unless otherwise specified in the travel listing, all provide private en-suite rooms with breakfast included.

 

Hotel Poqueira Capileira
Hotel Poqueira - Capileira
Hotel de Mecina Fondales - Mecina Fondales
Hotel de Mecina Fondales - Mecina Fondales

http://hoteldemecina.com/

La Fragua Trevelèz
La Fragua - Trevèlez
Hotel Los Berchules Berchules
Hotel Los Berchules - Berchules

What to bring


Clothing and other items
You will need your regular walking/cycling gear, including some sort of reflective garment. For the evenings, smart outdoor style trousers (or shorts) are invaluable, as are quick-dry t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town.

Take as little as possible to avoid potentially lugging a heavy suitcase up three flights of stairs at the end of the day. Please be aware that laundromats (“Laverie”) are not common in rural areas, so plan to do handwashing of small items.

Lightweight walking shoes/ trainers
For wearing around towns & villages. They can also be a back-up pair.

Socks & underwear
Take only good quality socks with quick-dry and insulating qualities. Road test them before you go on the trip. Take a suitable quantity of underwear as washing facilities are limited.

Warm jacket, hat, gloves
Bring a fleece, Polartec or warm layers for the evenings especially in spring or autumn; be sure it is totally suitable for your needs.
A fleece jacket which blocks the wind (Wind-stopper) is the most preferable. In the summer months a lightweight jacket is suitable for evenings.
If you are cycling/walking in mountainous or coastal areas, even in the height of summer, the weather can change very quickly and unexpectedly and you should be prepared for fog, mist, rain, snow or hail at any time. Always take an extra layer with you, as well as a warm hat and gloves.

Waterproof jacket & trousers
If you are caught in heavy rain, with good waterproof clothing you should remain dry. Remember that most garments will lose their properties over time. Few will remain waterproof for more than five years and many deteriorate in three years or less. We recommend a rain jacket with a good hood and collar and waterproof or thermal walking/cycling trousers or tights.

Dress code
In general, you should wear suitable clothing when entering a church (in many places, it is considered unacceptable to go inside wearing shorts or a tank-top). We suggest that women carry a shawl to cover up bear shoulders or low-cut tops. It also comes in handy when your shoulders get sunburned!

It is considered inappropriate for men to go without a shirt / T-shirt (other than at the beach).

Trekking poles (adjustable)
Highly recommended. A pair works best, depending on what you are comfortable with. If you suffer from back or knee pain this should be considered essential. Remember to practise walking with your pole(s) on different types of terrain in the months preceding your trip.

Walking boots
The importance of good footwear cannot be stressed enough. Your boots should be sturdy and of good enough quality to handle all types of terrain. Lightweight boots, (cordura/leather boots) which have Gore-Tex or sympatex water-proofing are most suitable for this trip. They should provide good ankle protection and be well broken in. Waxing leather boots regularly prolongs their life.

Walking tops & trousers
We recommend walking trousers and shorts and quick-dry wicking t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town. Wicking T-shirts are fast drying, keep moisture away from your skin and are available at outdoor stores. You should also bring one pair of loose-fitting trousers to wear in cities and for evenings out, etc. Shorts or zip-off trousers are useful in warmer weather.

Practical info

How to arrive


Flying to Málaga airport (AGP)

Direct bus from Málaga Airport(AGP) to Granada: There are a few direct bus services from Málaga Airport to Granada. Check timetables at www.alsa.es.

Málaga airport – Málaga (city centre) – Granada: You take a bus, train or taxi from Málaga airport to Málaga (city centre). From there,you get a bus to Granada. Travel time is 2hrs. 

By bus from Granada to Capileira: ALSA offers 3 services a day. Travel time 2h30min. 

Note: the bus station in Granada is located on the outskirts of town, so plan your travel time accordingly!

Flying to Granada airport (GRX)

Bus or taxi from Granada airport(GRX) to Granada (city centre).

By bus from Granada to Capileira.

If you are arriving in Granada late in the afternoon, you can take a bus to Orgiva and then get a taxi to Capileira. It’s also possible to book an extra night in Granada. 

Check timetables at www.alsa.es (Regional Bus Services) before departure for Spain. Summer schedules are often not made available until late spring. You can book your tickets in advance on-line through the ALSA website or through your agent, S-cape Travel. 

Departure from Bérchules 

From Berchules, there are direct buses to Granada twice a day. The journey takes 3,5 hrs.

There is also a bus to Granada from Pitres, but you will first need a taxi to Pitres. Another option is to travel from Berchules to Cadiar and then take a bus to Granada. 

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 direct services from Granada to Málaga airport (also via Málaga city centre). Travel time is about 2h15. 

Mobile App


Use the SloWays APP for iOS and Android smart phones in combination with the written documentation provided.

The App has the detailed tracks and maps that you can use offline and without roaming. Thanks to the phone’s internal GPS, you can check your exact position on the map, so you always know exactly where you are. It also helps you self-navigate you way while travelling. More information on how to use the App inside the roadbook documents.

The navigation features include:

  • Offline navigation. Mobile data not required after initial download
  • Accurate GPS tracks
  • Autorotation of the maps
  • Daily route summary and elevation chart
  • Panorama of the track and at street level
  • Alarm and vibration that alerts you in case you go off track.
  • Emergency SMS button with position coordinates
  • Possibility to record and take georeferenced photos of problems on route alerting fellow travelers
  • Hotel information
  • Points of interest along the way
  • Historical background

Wanderlust Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2023
Wanderlust
Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2023
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Touroperating
S-Cape Countryside Travels srl
Borgo Allegri 16R
50122 Firenze FI
P. IVA 05227330486

 
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Touroperating S-Cape Countryside Travels srl Borgo Allegri 16R 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
VAT Nr 05227330486
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