Walking Holiday Spain - Andalucia

The Alpujarra is one of the most wild and undiscovered mountain ranges of Spain, stretching from the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the Mediterranean below. Life has changed little since the Moors first cultivated the terraces many centuries ago. You may observe farmers tending the land with their mules, or perhaps local women washing clothes in the village springs or shelling almonds by hand.

The tiny whitewashed villages, which cling precariously to the mountainsides, are linked by the ancient Camino Real (or GR7). On this track, you will walk through shady olive and almond groves and cross tiny mountain springs with snow-capped mountains above and the distant Mediterranean in view. Whatever the season, there is plenty to relish: the spectacular almond blossom of February and March, the pretty wild flowers of late spring and early summer, or the vibrant colours and fruits of autumn (when you will be able to pick almonds, wild figs, mulberries and grapes along the way). Apart from an occasional shepherd tending his herds, your walk will be undisturbed and blissfully peaceful.

Day 1: You will be transferred from either Almeria or Granada Airport (or Malaga with an additional charge) to Berchules, known as the Balcony of the Alpujarra with its panoramic views down to the Mediterranean. On clear days in winter, you can see to the Atlas Mountains beyond. Overnight Berchules.

Day 2: Yegen - Burchules. You will be transferred to the start of your walk in Yegen after breakfast. A wonderful and diverse walk, leading you from the cultivated terraces down to the sculpted shapes of desert-like bad-lands, then up again to craggy alpine valleys. This is magical and wild territory with striking rock formations and many bird-watching opportunities. Look out for bee-eaters, rollers, hoopoes and Bonelli eagles at the right time of year. After climbing to the pine forests above Berchules, come down the ancient track that used to be the old silk-trading route, connecting the Alpujarra with Granada. Overnight Berchules.

Ascent 830m Descent 550m, Distance 9 ¼ miles, Time 4½ hours.

Day 3: Berchules - Treveles. Start todays walk through the narrow streets of Berchules before climbing steeply out of the village to the highest point of the trek, crossing the ridge at 2000 metres. (A gradual climb of 700m.) Enjoy the foothills of Mulhacen, the highest mountain in Spain, dropping down to the steep-sided rugged valley of Trevelez, famous for its air-dried ham and artisanal shops. Overnight Trevelez.

Ascent 910m, Descent 630m, Distance 10 miles, Time 5 ½  hours. 

Day 4: Treveles – Capileira. A pleasant walk from Trevelez to the beautiful village of Capileira. Either take the low-level tranquil and contouring Pista Forestal, with good views of the surrounding area and the high mountains (Ascent 440m, Descent 510m, Distance 11 ½ miles, Time 5 ½ hours), or the high-level Sulayr path on the southern flank of the Sierra Nevada (Ascent 800m, Descent 870m, Distance 12 ¾ miles, Time 5 ½ hours). This is a wonderful walk with a high mountain feel and great views over the sea, and if you are lucky, the Atlas Mountains in the distance. Overnight Capileira.

Day 5: Capileira – Orgiva. Today’s walk you will take you to the charming white villages of Capileira, Bubion and Pampaneira. The paths are well marked passing cherry, walnut and fig trees as well as goats clattering their bells below you (Ascent 0m, Descent 410m, Distance 2 ¾ miles, Time 1 ½ hours). From Pampaneira you will take a bus to Orgiva where you stay overnight. 

You can either spend the afternoon at leisure, or you have the choice of two add-on routes from Orgiva. The first route takes you to the south of Orgiva, following the Ancient Olive Tree Route. There are a variety of gardens and terraces of fruit trees (Ascent/Descent 210m, Distance 5 miles, 2 ¼ hours). Alternatively, there is a pleasant walk along the banks of the Rio Chico to visit the Tree of Life mural at the tiny village of Bayacas. Pass olive groves followed by a short climb up a small ridge to a Mirador with wonderful views of Orgiva and the Guadalfeo valley (Ascent/Descent 270m, Distance 5 miles, 2 ½ hours). Overnight Orgiva.

Day 6: Orgiva – Lanjarron. Leaving Orgiva follow the riverbank of the Rio Sucio before climbing via the slopes of a green valley to the high point where the GR7 and GR142 paths meet. Here there is a detour for an extensive view over Orgiva and the Guadalfeo valley up to Cañar to the north-east, the route is then downhill on tracks, with viewpoint overlooking Lanjaron, and the the Embalse de Bénar reservoir (Ascent 440m, Descent260m, Distance 5 ½ miles, Time 2 ¾ hours). Alternatively, there is a varied, sometimes challenging route taking you from the riverbanks of the Rio Chico at Orgiva to the Mirador overlooking the town, then steeply up to visit the pretty villages of Carataunas and Soportujar with their fascinating sculptures. Enjoy wonderful views as the route is high above the valley. Wend your way to the Cañar Mirador and fountains before descending via tracks and paths with views of Lanjarron in the distance (Ascent 860m Descent 670m, Distance 12 ½ miles, Time 6 hours). Overnight Lanjarron.

Day 7: Chose from a variety of walks from your hotel in Lanjarron.

Lanjarron Circular

This circular walk dips down to the river valley to the south before climbing to a ridge, providing fantastic panoramic views. To the north is countryside with scattered corijos and houses with their olive and fruit trees together with fantastic views of Lanjarron. At the end of the walk there is the opportunity to visit the castle. Standing on a rocky prominence above the Lanjarron river valley, it was built by the Moors between the thirteenth and sixteenth century.

Distance: Ascent/Descent 640m, Distance: 8 ¾ miles, Time 5 ½ hours.

Lanjaron Acequia Aceituno – Cecarta

A lovely walk through the narrow streets of Hondilla and up via paths and tracks into the wooded Rio de Lanjaron valley. The walking along the acequias is easy with an unexpected airy section at the beginning. The Huerta de las Monjas is a pleasant place to rest before returning to Lanjaron via another acequia and descending more steeply to the town centre.

Distance: Ascent/Descent: 410m, Distance: 4 ½ miles, Time 2 ½ hours

Day 8: Transfer back to the airport for your flight home.

Baggage transfers

Your luggage is transported for you from hotel to hotel so you can travel with day rucksacks only. 

Price in GBP£ Price in USD$

Andalucia Hotel to Hotel Trek

Included			Not Included
ü	7 night’s accommodation		û	Lunches & drinks with meals
ü	7 breakfasts		û	Travel Insurance (required)
ü	7 dinners
ü	Baggage transfers between hotels (1 bag per person @20kg)
ü	Route notes & walking map
Optional Extras
Ø	‘With flights’ includes typical flight prices* from London Gatwick to Almeria, and airport transfers.  Flights from many local airports are also available (exact price for your dates available on request)

All prices valid for 2023

Prices are per person in GBP / UK £ and are based on 7 nights half board* in a shared twin/double standard room. 

Dates	With Flights	Without Flights	Single Supplement
19 Mar - 23 Jun	1159	849	120
01 Sep - 24 Oct	1159	849	120

# If at least two travelling. Please call to discuss availability and transfer supplements for one person travelling alone.

Room supplements: None

POA – Price on application

Seasonal supplements (Christmas, New Year and Easter) available on request

Price in GBP£ Price in USD$

This map is for illustration purposes only and we cannot be held responsible for its accuracy.

Andalucia Trek

Availability Information

March to June is superb for wild flowers, clear skies and a vista of snow-capped mountains – an ideal time for keen photographers. From September to November, the harsh summer light starts to mellow as the landscape turns golden yellow and mornings become soft and dewy. In July and August, we feel the summer heat is too intense to make walking a pleasure.

Please note our best to go information is generally referring to the walking which may fall in the early or late season in some places. This may mean that not all tourist facilities will be open at the time you visit.

When to book your walking holiday in Spain - Mainland - Walking the White Villages of the Alpujarras

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
OK	OK	Best	Best	Best	Good	N/A	N/A	Good	Best	Best	OK