Walking in The Alpujarra

Walking in The Alpujarra

The Alpujarra is the area that is the southern slopes of Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Having walked all over Europe and in North Africa, I can honestly say that the walking here is unsurpassed. This is hill walking terrain rather than mountain walking of the high Sierra Nevada. It is characterized by steep sided valleys, terraces and pretty white washed villages.

Walking in The TaHa

 Although many of these pretty white washed villages provide a good base to stay, Capileira is undoubtedly the best place to base yourself. There are several good day walks to be had straight from the village and other walks could be had by either driving out or by catching the bus.

Busquistar, a village in The TaHa

Sierra Nevada Guides have some walks already written up on their website and run a programme of guided walks in the spring (April, May and early June). If you are thinking of a walking holiday for your walking club, then Mountain House Holidays are able to organize a package for you. A full board, fully guided week from £695.

It’s hard to pick out a favorite walk as there are so many to choose from, and according to season when flowers are out. Undoubtedly walking in the Rio Poqueira from Capileira or in the Taha de Pitres provide the best walking. It is also possible to venture up into the Sierra Nevada without having to tackle the mountains. Hoya del Portillo above Capileira provides a good starting point. Only half an hour above Hoya brings us to the viewpoint of Puerto Molino where the higher summits can clearly be seen, especially Mulhacen (the highest mountain in mainland Spain) and Veleta the 2^nd highest in the Sierra Nevada.

Walking in the Alpujarra can get too hot in July and August.  Good times are March to June and September to November.  That said, if the sun is out, it is possible to walk in T shirts throughout the winter!

T Shirts in winter!

Capileira

If you are restricted to the height of summer, there are several walks to be had in the high mountains where it is cool at altitude. It is possible to catch the National Park bus from Capileira to Mirador Trevelez 2700m asl. You can expect the tempreture at 3000m to be around 15 to 20 degrees during the afternoon in July if it is not windy. With wind chill you might be looking to wear a fleece or jacket.

From Mirador Trevelez, the old road leads to The Caldera at just over 3000m. From here a path leads down the Rio Mulhacen and you can make a circuit via the Refugio Poqueira (food, drinks and toilets) before returning to the bus at Mirador Trevelez.

Maps and English guidebooks are available locally, but to help with your planning, they can be obtained in advance from Stanfords. The Editorial Alpina map / guide to the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarra is a good start. Spanish maps are usually flimsy so consider getting your map laminated before you go.

Accommodation is plentiful. Pensions, Hotels and self catering are all available. If you are planning to visit in the hotter months (mid June through until the end of September, look for somewhere with a pool or plunge pool.  It’s great to cool off after a good walk!

Mountain House Holidays for a full board, fully guided weeks holiday from £695.

Sierra Nevada Guides

Walks to Download

Programme of guided walks – Spring

Programme of guided walks - Summer

Mountain House Holidays and Sierra Nevada Guides are the only qualified British guides (International Mountain Leaders) based in the Alpujarra / Sierra Nevada.

Alpujarra B&B and Guesthouse

Alpujarra B&B and Guesthouse

Finca Montaña “The Good Life” is our remote mountain farmhouse situated at 1300m on the mountain above Lanjaron. An ideal base for walkers with good walks straight from the front door. Finca Montaña is also situated close to both the GR7 and GR240.

Finca Montaña

The local goats walk past every day

Being so remote, about 12Km up dirt track roads the house does not have the “normal” mains facilities. There are two springs on the property (22 000 m²), a sola panel and wind turbine generate electricity and the shower and fridge / freezer is heated by gas. The new house where guests stay has 2 bedrooms, a double and a small double and can accommodate up to 5 people (single bunk above a double bed). There is a shared shower room / w.c.

Once returning from your days activities it is unlikely that you’ll want to be bothered with the drive down into Lanjaron so the fridge is kept well stocked with beer and wine. Evening meals and packed lunches can be provided. In Summer there is a small plunge pool where you can float, sometimes watching the Golden Eagles soaring above. The local goat farmer walks his herd past most days which is a real spectacle.

Prices for 2014:

Bed and Breakfast                                        =            20 Euro’s per night

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

Full Board with packed lunch                        =            35 Euro’s per day

Mike and Jane, your hosts are mountain guides working in the Sierra Nevada and offer walking packages to guests, either in the Alpujarra or Sierra Nevada though they have compiled walk descriptions for guests to take and follow themselves.

Guided walks from 40 Euro’s per person per day.

Early morning cloud inversion looking towards the Sierra de Lujar

Being situated at 1300m above sea level you can normally expect stunning views. The Sierra de Lujar, Malaga Mountains, across the Mediterranean and even the mountains of North Africa on a clear day.

Check out Finca Montaña on the Mountain House Holidays website.

Useful area information on the Sierra Nevada Guides website

Walking in The Alpujarra with Mountain House Holidays

Walking in The Alpujarra with Mountain House Holidays

Mike and Jane bought their Mountain House - Finca Montaña in 2002 and started to explore the Alpujarra and mountains of The Sierra Nevada. As Mountain House Holidays, they started organising walking holidays based from the Alpujarran Spa Town of Lanjaron in 2003.

Enjoying the April Sunshine with a backdrop of snowy mountains!

In the ten years since they started, they believe that they have refined their holidays into a genuine quality product. Most holidays are now based at the stunning Hotel Alcadima which is a holiday experience in itself. “Somedays it’s hard to get our guests out walking as the restful gardens and pool are so appealing!”

Pink Vanilla Orchid above Lanjaron

Walking in the Alpujarra is some of the best hillwalking in the world. Medieval mule tracks; Roman Bridges; paths through terraces cut into the hillsides still being worked; pretty white villages built by the Berber Arabs who colonised the area 600 years ago; and if you time it right stunning spring flowers or almond blossom. It is possible to walk in the Alpujarra all year, though best to avoid the hottest weeks from mid-July and all of August. Winter can be surprisingly hot, walking in T shirts in January and February is not uncommon with 80% of winter days being “blue sky” days. Spring with its amazing flowers is our favourite, April, May and June.

Mike and Jane supported by their friend Martin lead all of the holidays themselves so there is a real connection with your holiday company and genuine local knowledge often lacking with the larger companies who bring staff into the area. Additionally, Mike, Jane and Martin are all qualified International Mountain Leaders which is the qualification required in Spain to take people into the mountains.

In addition to organising holidays for individuals or even large groups, Mike, Jane and Martin have established “Sierra Nevada Guides” who undertake a range of mountain guiding throughout the year.  Sierra Nevada Guides are the only qualified British guides (IML’s) operating in the Sierra Nevada.

Exploring the "White Villages"

The range of holidays and activities provided by Mountain House Holidays includes:  Walking in The Alpujarra;  Walking in The Sierra Nevada; Snowshoeing;  Rock Scrambling;  and Rock Climbing.

For those wanting to experience living in a remote mountain cortio, it is possible to stay with Mike and Jane at Finca Montaña who do B & B and full board packages.