Group Walking Holiday Overview
We run these throughout the year although in July and August we have to walk at higher elevations in the Sierra Nevada due to the heat. With 300+ sunny days autumn, spring and winter are ideal times to visit Las Alpujarras and the white villages of Andalucia. In mid-winter overnight temperatures at your base in Lanjaron rarely approach freezing and days are pleasantly warm. Perfect for your weeks walking holiday.
Daily choice of walk - Lanjaron, Lecrin Valley, Coastal walk Costa Tropical, Taha del Pitres, Sierra de Huetor, Sierra de Padul, Poqueira Valley, Sierra de Contraviesa, Las Alpujarras, Sierra Nevada (summer). See below for details.
Flexibility!
Unique holiday walking and hiking packages for groups in Las Alpujarras that allow you the flexibility to choose each days walk from a variety of walks in the Sierra Nevada Natural Park near to Granada.
These week long packages can start whichever day of the year the group wishes and are based at the Hotel Alcadima in the beautiful spa town of Lanjaron, the gateway to Las Alpujarras.
Itinerary
- Day 1 - Transfer airport to hotel
- Day 2 - Guided walk
- Day 3 - Guided walk
- Day 4 - Guided walk
- Day 5 - Guided walk or rest day
- Day 6 - Guided walk
- Day 7 - Guided walk
- Day 8 - Transfer hotel to airport
Optional (May to Oct) is an ascent of Mulhacen, the highest mountain in mainland Spain (3482m)
A rather belated but sincere thank you to you and your team for making our week in the Alpujarras so successful and enjoyable. The effort you put in in organising and adjusting walks to suit our varying meeds as well as the relaxed atmosphere your team exuded made for a really wonderful week acclaimed by many as the best away week ever for Fitzamblers
Ted Marah, Fitzramblers, Ireland
The walking and your accommodation
Walking in the Natural Parks
Our aim from the start has been to provide a walking holiday with a difference. You will find plenty of unusual and varied locations rarely found on other similar tours.
Choice of walks:
- Lanjarón “Ruta de Castañas” - alongside ancient woodlands and waterways
- The white villages of the Taha del Pitres, Alpujarras
- Sierra de Dílar and the peak of Silleta de Padul 1520m
- Sierra de Huetor - the quiet and unknown Majalijar ridges
- Two spectacular half day walks in the Valle de Lecrin
- Coastal Walk - La Herradura - Cortijada Cantarriján
- Circular of the Barranco del Poqueira
- White villages of the Poqueira
- Sierra de Contraviesa – Haza del Lino almond groves and distant views
- Ascend Veleta 3394m and visit some of it's pure mountain lakes (June, July, Aug, Sep only)
- Cerro de los Machos 3329m and the “rock glacier” of the Coral del Veleta (June, July, Aug, Sep only)
- Climb Mulhacén 3482m, highest peak in mainland Spain (June, July, Aug, Sep only)
We are able to offer a vast variety of activities from snowshoeing to desert and coastal walking, so please discuss individual group requirements with us.
Hotel Alcadima
Quality hotel in Lanjaron that offers the opportunity to stay in natural surroundings and with everything you need to make your stay unforgettable. Centre located hotel with great facilities. Warm and inviting rooms that allow you to make your stay as comfortable and convenient as possible.
All rooms are equipped with safe, cable television, clock radio, coffee kit, hair dryer, refrigerator and phone. The hotel has a wide variety of facilities such as restaurant, library, TV lounge, meeting room. WiFi throughout.
Is this region a good place for a group walking holiday?
Yes, lots of variety and interest. Group walking holidays are very popular in the Sierra Nevada and the lower hills of Las Alpujarras. Beautiful scenery, quiet trails and lovely mountain villages.
The Choice of Walks
1. Lanjarón “Ruta de Castañas”
Facts: 11km, 840m ascent, 6hrs
State of paths: Mostly on good well defined tracks. Some very short sections of rough path exist
When? Year round (except July and August)
Description: Arab castles, rocky outcrops, hilltop “ermitas”, ancient waterways and chestnut woodlands make this circuit round Lanjarón a “must-do” during your stay here.
2. White villages, Taha del Pitres, Alpujarras
Facts: 10km, 630m ascent, 5hrs
State of paths: Good paths throughout although some steep sections of up and down
When? Year round (except July and August)
Description: Circular walk characterised by small white villages, rural landscapes and steep sided gorges with abundant flora and fauna. Visiting Fondales, Ferreirola, Atalbeitar, Portugos; Capilerilla and Pitres
3. Sierra de Dílar, peak of Silleta de Padul 1520m
Facts: 13km, 570m ascent, 5.5hrs
State of paths: good hill tracks
When? Year round (except July and August)
Description: Varied circular walk through woodlands to a superb summit with great views of the western Sierra Nevada range from Veleta to Cerro de Caballo
4. Sierra de Huetor - Majalijar ridges
Facts: 8km, 600m ascent, 5hrs
State of paths: Some pathless and rough terrain, faint hill tracks
When? Year round (except July and August)
Description: This circular walk goes through pine forests and onto the broken ridges leading to Majalijar (1653m). Distant views south to the giants of the Sierra Nevada
5. Day walking in the Valle de Lecrin
Facts: 8km, 500m ascent, 5hrs
State of paths: Good tracks throughout
When? Year round (except July and August)
Description: Two circular walks visiting the spectacular Barranco de la Luna and the hilltop chapel of the Ermita Cristo del Zapato. Superb views and interesting scenery
6. Coastal Walk - Cortijada Cantarriján
Facts: 5km, 345m ascent, 3.5hrs
State of paths: A 30min short steep section of rough path. Rest all on good hill paths
When? Year round (except July and August)
Description: A short stretch of steep rough walking contrasts nicely with easier walking on good tracks and dirt tracks. Lunch on the beach is followed by a coastal walk back to the start
7. Circular Barranco del Poqueira
Facts: 9km, 610m ascent, 5hrs
State of paths: Very good throughout but some short steeper sections
When? Year round (except July and August)
Description: Start and finish in Capileira. Up alongside the eastern valley to the old hydro station and ruins at Cebadilla. Return down the western valley before crossing the Rio Poqueira and climbing back to to the start
8. White Villages of the Poqueira
Facts: 9.5km, 544m ascent, 5hrs
State of paths: All on good hill paths
When? Year round (except July and August)
Description: The three white hill villages of Capileira, Bubion and Pampaneira sit on hillsides above the dramatic Poqueira gorge. This walk links all three of these villages and crosses the gorge twice.
9. Sierra de Contraviesa – almond groves & cork oak forests
Facts: 14km, 650m ascent, 6hrs
State of paths: Very good throughout except for a 15 minute descent of a firebreak
When? Year round (except July and August)
Description: Through forests of Cork Oak to the summit of Salchicha 1545m. Great views north to the Sierra Nevada. Circular walk in quiet area, especially nice in the winter months when almond trees are blossoming
10. Veleta 3394m & pure mountain lakes
Facts: 10km, 350m ascent (940 descent!), 5.5hrs
State of paths: Good mountain tracks. One section of 30 minutes descent on a steeper trail
When? Available in June, July, August and September
Description: Uses the National Park Bus at Hoya de la Mora (€11pp extra) to reach the cool air at 2900m. Up to Veleta and a return via Col de Carihuela and lakes at Lagunillas and Las Yeguas
11. Cerro los Machos 3329m, Coral del Veleta
Facts: 7km, 520m ascent, 5hrs
State of paths: All on mountain tracks although some ascents and descents are steep and rough.
When? Available in June, July, August and September
Description: Uses the National Park Bus at Hoya de la Mora (€11pp extra) to reach the cool air at 2900m. Drop into and traverse the remnants of the “last glacier” in the Coral de Veleta: Ascend steeply to Cerro de los Machos. Return via Col de Carihuela.
12. Climb Mulhacén 3482m, Sierra Nevada
Facts: 13km, 860m ascent, 6hrs
State of paths: Good mountain tracks throughout
When? Available in June, July, August and September
Description: A circular. Uses the National Park Bus to reach the Alto de Chorrillo (€14pp extra) at 2700m. Along the old road to visit the Refugio de la Caldera. Up the steep west flank to the summit, returning down the easier south ridge to the start.
Dates & Prices
When?
Prices
- Hotel Espana 2* €995 per person
- Hotel Alcadima 3* €1125 per person
- 7 nights accommodation in either the Hotel Alcadima or Hotel España
- All transport to and from walks
- Breakfast and evening meals at hotel (packed lunches can be arranged)
- 5 Guided Walks with daily choice of:
- Challenging Walk
- Moderate Walk
- Leisurely Walk
- Nothing - sit by the pool!
- Services of local, english speaking local guides
- Not including flights, transfers, insurance, packed lunch and drinks
- One rest day (maybe visit Alhambra, beach or chill by the pool?)
- Minimum group size 5 persons.
- Single person supplement €30 a day
- We have a limited number of walking poles for the use of guests if required
N.B airport transfers (Malaga) can be arranged via mini bus or coach