Nature Walks, Sierra Nevada and Alpujarras
The Sierra Nevada is famous for its snow capped peaks and deep valleys – a true walkers’ paradise. But there’s even more to the area than this. Look up and you might see a Golden Eagle soaring in a vast blue sky. Look down and the ground may be carpeted with alpine flowers, home to many exotic butterflies. Look around and you could make eye contact with a Spanish Ibex or a glossy-coated fox.
Variety of Habitats
- River valley habitats – exploring the Rio Trevelez valley
- Around the famous water town of Lanjaron
- High Mountain “Borreguiles” habitat
- Pine forest habitat of forestal La Piuca
- Gorges and moorlands in the Poqueira gorge
To make sure you don’t miss these wonders of nature, your guides will lead you on days of walking, exploring a range of altitudes and a variety of habitats. Our guides have been studying the wildlife of the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarras, and its habitats. Their knowledge and enthusiasm is unsurpassed.
Home to a multitude of fauna and flora. If you love walking and you love nature, this is just for you!
The walking is moderate in standard but taken at a slow pace to make the most of all there is to be seen. The walks will suit anyone used to regular countryside walking, with a reasonable degree of fitness.
Our Nature Guides and what you might see
Our Nature Guides
Kiersten Rowland and Matt Dowse are our local nature walk leaders. All are superb photographers and extremely knowledgeable about local bird, plant and animal life in the Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarras. Together with their enthusiastic and personable style they will enable you to get the most from your day with us.
With over 2000 plant, 60 bird and 270 insect species the diversity of the wildlife in the Sierra Nevada is staggering. This is mainly due to large differences in altitude (from 500m in the lower market towns of the Alpujarras to nearly 3,000m in the high summits), and climate (the hot summers of the lower Alpujarras contrast with virtually arctic conditions in the winter peaks).
Lovely to have met up with you again and to have met Kiersten too – she was so knowledgeable about flora and fauna and a delight to walk with.
Caroline F
We also recommend and use Mick Richardson of Granada Wildlife, an Andalucian Bird Society approved guide.
Plant life
There are 2100 catalogued plants of which 80 are endemic including the Sierra Chamomile (Artemisia Granatensis) and extremely rare Sierra Nevada Poppy (Papaver Lapeyrousianum).
We’ll visit the borreguiles (a fragile and unique ecosystem which is home to many of the endemic species including for example Gentians (Gentiana Boryi), Thin-spurred Butterwort (Pinguicula Nevadensis) and Gravel Birdsfoot (Lotus Glareosus).
Birds
Over 60 bird species inhabit the Sierra Nevada. Commonly seen birds of prey include the Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Short-toed and Booted Eagles. Kestrels, Peregrine Falcons and Goshawks are also frequently spotted, as well as the Griffon Vulture.
You may even catch a glimpse of a Lammergeier as these rare vultures have been successfully re-introduced in a neighbouring mountain range.
At lower altitudes the skies are alive with Bee-eaters and Golden Orioles. Other species include the Blue Rock Thrush, Black Wheatear, Hoopoe and Sardinian Warbler, to name but a few.
Mammals
These include the Spanish Ibex, Fox, Wild Cat, Stone Marten, Genet, Snow Vole and Wild Boar.
Butterflies and insects
There are 270 unique insect species, with over 100 endemic to these mountains. Of the 120 butterflies recorded, some of the most exceptional are the Spanish Festoon, the Sierra Nevada Blue and the Parnassius Apollo (subsp nevadensis).
Dates & Prices
When?
Prices
Group size (per booking) (prices are per person per day)- 1 person - cost €100
- 2 persons - cost €65
- 3 persons - cost €55
- 4 persons - cost €45
Definition of "Group" - if you are booking a trip for 2 persons the 2 person rate applies, 3 persons - 3 person rate etc (not dependent on eventual total group size!).
Price includes:- Guiding
- We have a limited number of walking poles for the use of guests if required
Larger groups - discounts apply. Enquire via email or contact form
Transport (effective for all bookings after 1st July 2022)
The guiding price above does not include transport. Due to rising energy and fuel prices we do not want to be constantly changing guiding prices to reflect transport costs. We want to be honest and open about our price structure.
Clients have two options:
NO COST OPTION - Pick up/drop off our guide in Lanjaron or a venue to be agreed. Use your own transport to and from the start/end of activity.
COST OF FUEL OPTION - Our guide will drive you to/from start/end of activity in one our own vehicles. Applicable costs are:
- Capileira, White Villages, Taha del Pitres €15
- Hoya del Portillo €20
- Sierra Nevada ski area €25
- Granada area, Cumbres Verdes €15
- Peñon de la Mata €20
- Lecrin Valley €10
- Jerez de Marquesado, Eastern Sierra Nevada €35
N.B For destinations not listed above we can easily work out a fuel cost