Saturday 2 February 2013

Finca Montaña – The Walkers Choice



Finca Montaña – The Walkers Choice!


Finca Montaña B & B and Self Catering for walkers and hiker’s in Spain’s Sierra Nevada and Alpujarra.


Finca Montana a working small holding
Situated at 1300m in Spain’s Sierra Nevada with good walks straight from the door Finca Montaña provides a great base to explore the hill and mountain walking opportunities of the area.

A fire with endless logs!
Not a swish up market property, Finca Montaña is a remote mountain farmhouse set in 5 acres of fruit and chestnut trees reached by 12km of dirt track road (for those driving). The rewards for being so high and remote are the stunning views, quiet solitude and the typical Spanish way of hill farming with the local goat herd wandering by on a daily basis.

We have 2 bedrooms available in the “new house” a double and a small double (we live in an older house attached at the rear). The property can accommodate up to 4 adults and 1 child (top bunk above the double).


There is a shared washroom with shower, w.c. and hand basin and a shared living room / kitchen.
A single or small double room
Outside is a patio with views down to the coast and occasionally the mountains of North Africa.

This is a 12 volt house. We generate our own power from a solar panel and wind turbine. The power is stored in batteries so if guests leave the lights on the batteries will run flat! All rooms have lighting and bedside lights, there is an ipod dock and a means of charging mobile telephones (car socket, bring car charger for your phone and ipod).

The fridge and freezer like the cooking and water heater all work off gas.


We have springs on the land to collect our own water and we have a septic tank for the drainage.

The 1st beer after a hard days walking!
Because the house is so remote, it is unlikely that you’ll want to drive down the mountain into town for a beer in the evening.  However the house has sitting areas outside where you can soak up the views as the sun sets with a drink in hand to unwind after a days walking. We keep the fridge well stocked with beer and wine, which guests can help themselves to and settle up at the end of the stay.

Once night arrives the clear skies are superb and it is a joy to sit out enjoying the stars, especially in the height of summer when this time of day is cool and a relief from the heat.


In the cooler months the evening and night temperatures can be quite cool at this altitude. Fortunately we have a large open fire and an endless supply of logs!

Finca Montana a place to relax


Prices for 2013 
Bed and Breakfast at Finca Montaña  
20 Euro’s per night.

Evening Meal (including beer or wine)      
10 Euro’s

Packed Lunch                                          
5 Euro’s
(note, guests have access to the kitchen so can prepare their own meals).
If you would like to enquire about staying at Finca Montaña, we can be contacted via the Mountain House website.






The Walking
Walking beside an acequia in the Alpujarra
Both Jane and Mike the owners of Finca Montaña are qualified International Mountain Leaders and have been exploring and leading walks in the area for over 10 years. There are route cards available at Finca Montaña for people to go and enjoy some of our favourite walks, including several straight from the front door.  Further afield, the whole of the Alpujarra has stunning hill walking. Not to miss are walks in the Poqueira Gorge visiting the pretty old arab villages of Capileira, Bubion and Pampaneira;  and a walk in the  impressive Taha Valley.

Mike and Jane are usually available to provide guided walks and ascents of mountains.

In the height of summer (mid July and August) it is too hot to walk in the Alpujarra, but the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada come into their own with superb walking, including Mulhacen which at 3482m is the highest mountain in mainland Spain.

Finca Montaña is situated on the southern slopes of Pico del Caballo 3011m which is Europe’s most westerly 3000m peak and is possible as a day trip from Finca Montanna.

For those with transport many of the Sierra Nevada’s mountains are possible as day trips from Finca Montaña including:
Mulhacen seen from the summit of Veleta

Mulhacen            3482m            
Mainland Spain’s Highest

Veleta                  3394m            
2nd highest in The Sierra Nevada, 
fairly easy day

Alcazaba             3371m            
Most remote of the Big 3 
and visits Siete Lagunas

Caballo                3011m              
Europe’s most westerly 3000m peak

Trevenque           2079m            
The “Matterhorn” of the Sierra Nevada


Scrambling and Rock Climbing
For those wanting to increase the adrenalin flow, Jane and Mike have enough scrambling and rock climbing itineraries or information available to keep you occupied for a week long holiday though you will need a car.

If you would like to enquire about staying at Finca Montaña, we can be contacted via the Mountain House website

Friday 1 February 2013

B & B and Self Catering accommodation in Spain’s Alpujarra and Sierra Nevada


B & B and Self-Catering accommodation in Spain’s Alpujarra and Sierra Nevada

Finca Montaña the home of Mountain House Holidays and Sierra Nevada Guides a great place for a quiet holiday, even better if you enjoy walking or bird watching.

Our remote mountain “cortijo” set in 5 acres of grounds lends itself to the perfect “hide away.”  Fantastic views and good walking straight from the front door.

This is not a location for those wanting to spend their evenings in a bar.
Finca Montaña
Stay with us at Finca Montaña
Finca Montaña is our remote mountain farmhouse 1300m above sea level. It is set in 5 acres of fruit trees. It is a very quirky property though we love it!

It is 12km drive up a dirt track road and normally takes around 35 minutes to reach by car. By path from Lanjaron it is around 1.5 hours in ascent and an hour for descent. After a days walking or climbing it is unlikely that you’ll want to make the effort to go back down the mountain into town for a beer or meal. So if you are keen to partake in the nightlife of Lanjaron, don’t consider staying at Finca Montaña.

Drinks and Nibbles on the Patio
We keep the fridge well stocked with beer and wine which guests can help themselves to and settle up at the end of the stay.

We have 2 bedrooms available in the “new house” a double and a small double. The property can accommodate up to 4 adults and 1 child (top bunk above the double).

There is a shared washroom with shower, w.c. and hand basin and a shared living room / kitchen.



Outside is a patio with views down to the coast and occasionally the mountains of North Africa.

This is a 12 volt house. We generate our own power from a solar panel and wind turbine. The power is stored in batteries but if guests leave the lights on the batteries will run flat! All rooms have lighting and bedside lights, there is an ipod dock and a means of charging mobile telephones (car socket, bring car charger for your phone).

The fridge and freezer like the cooking and water heater all work off gas.

We have springs on the land to collect our own water and we have a septic tank for the drainage.

Costs:
Bed Only             (self catering can use the kitchen)            15 Euroʼs per person per night

Bed and Breakfast            " "            "            "                   20 Euro’s per person per night

Bed, Breakfast and Evening Meal "            "            "          30 Euro’s per person per night
(Includes beer or wine with
the evening meal)

Packed Lunch"            "            "            "            "                5 Euro’s per person per day

Walking
Early Spring in the Taha Valley
We know the area really well and can advise on walking itineraries, providing you with printed route descriptions or take you out on a professionally guided walk.

The Alpujarra has some of the best hill walking to be had anywhere. Old mule tracks and water courses (acequias) link pretty white mountain villages.  At the height of summer when it's too hot in the valleys, our walks migrate upwards into the cool air of the Sierra Nevada mountains, home to Mulhacen the highest mountain in mainland Spain.



Bird Watching and Wildlife
Black Eared Wheatear in the front garden


The Alpujarra and Sierra Nevada are home to a wide variety of plants, birds and animals. It is possible to observe much just from the area around Finca Montaña especially birds.

Last year we had a resident Hoopoo.  In the summer months we daily see Eagles, Vultures and Bee Eaters.

Most days the local goat herd passes our land in the timeless fashion of farmer leading the flock.




If you would like to enquire about staying at Finca Montaña, we can be contacted through the Mountain House website.

The local goats walking past