Guided Walking Holiday Week in the Alpujarras

"Alpujarras Escape" Walking Holiday based in Lanjaron

• 5 days of the best walking and hiking tours in the Alpujarras!
• Any dates between September and June (inclusive)
• 7 nights in 2* or 3* hotel accommodation in Lanjarón
• Chooose between 2 fine hotels
• Experienced local mountain and walking guides
• Most days can be extended or shortened as necessary to suit the group
• Shorter breaks available on request.
• Optional (May to Oct) is an ascent of Mulhacen, the highest mountain in mainland Spain (3482m)

Level of difficulty

Expect altitude gains of about 400m to 850m ascent and between 5 and 7 hours of walking per day. Bring sensible clothing and good hiking boots. Hiking poles are useful. Sun hats, sun glasses, sun block and a water bottle are essential.

The Alpujarras area offers walks of great variety and suits both relaxed ramblers and the more adventurous hiker. Our itineraries can normally be shortened or extended as preferred. The contrasting views, the rich heritage as well as the open friendliness of the people makes this an ideal location for a walking holiday.

Galley - Alpujarra Walking

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Itinerary

• Day 1 - Transfer from airport to your hotel
• Day 2 - Guided walk - White Villages of the Poqueira
• Day 3 - Guided walk - Ancient Waterways and Gorges of Lanjaron
• Day 4 - Guided walk - The Medieval Way - Villages of La Taha del Pitres
• Day 5 - Rest day
• Day 6 - Guided walk - GR240 High Forests of the Alpujarras
• Day 7 - Guided walk - Ruta Pescados - from the sea to the mountains
• Day 8 - Transfer hotel to airport

Leave the rat race far behind and enjoy quiet, remote walking and hiking with just the right amount of luxury thrown in for good measure!

Hotel Alcadima and Hotel Espana

Choose between two quality hotels in Lanjaron that offers the opportunity to stay in natural surroundings and with everything you need to make your stay unforgettable. Quality centre located hotels 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 hotels have a wide variety of facilities such as restaurant, library, TV lounge, meeting room. WiFi throughout.

Hotel Espana

Hotel Alcadima

Walk 1 - White Villages of the Poqueira

The three white hill villages of Capileira, Bubion and Pampaneira sit on hillsides above the dramatic Poqueira gorge. Mulhacen, at 3482m rises above the towns. This walk links all three of these villages and crosses the gorge twice.

A start is made from the highest of the villages, Capileira. The trail drops down to cross the Rio Poqueira via a small bridge. Then its an undulating traverse on the west side of the river before dropping down, recrossing the river and climbing up to the village of Capileira.

After a brief stop (maybe to visit a bodega!), we head steeply uphill through the village, exiting at the top before continuing the journey to Bubion. From Bubion it is then another 30 mins to reach the end at Capileira.

Walk 2 - Ancient Waterways and Gorges of Lanjaron

No need for transport today! The walk starts and ends from your hotel. It is very varied circular walk that has proved to be very popular with clients. We first visit the Arab Castle and walk along the cliff tops of the Tajos de Colorao opposite.

A short climb and we reach the Ermita of the Tajos de la Crux. This is a magniificent mirador which overlooks the town. We traverse land northwards and reach the "Camino de las Sierras" an old drove trail to the mountains. This will follow until we can take a faint track which traverse down to cross the Rio Lanjaron by an old bridge.

A superb section follows consisting of a series of beautiful irrigation channels and chestnut woods before we drop steeply back down to the hotel in Lanjaron.

Walk 3 - The Medieval Way - Taha del Pitres Villages

A lovely drive through the Alpujarras brings us to the Taha de Pitres region. This is an area characterised by small white villages, steep sided gorges and abundant flora and fauna.

Most of this walk we are follow old medieval trails through the hills and villages. We start in Mecina Fondales and drop down to the enchanting village of Fondales. Here we turn east and head for Ferrierola, perched high above the Trevelez gorge.

Then it's uphill to visit the very quaint, Atalbeitar before rising to reach the road that leads us to the town of Portugos. We take quiet back tracks to Pitres before dropping steeply back down to the start point at Mecina.

This walk is partly covered in our trip report "My Favourite Walk in The Alpujarras" which you would enjoy reading

Walk 4 - GR240 High Forests of the Alpujarras

We drop you off at the Forest Station at Hoya del Portillo. Then it's up through the pine forests to break out onto open hillside and arrive at the Puerta del Molina. This is a superb viewpoint of the Sierra Nevada and all the main peaks cam be seen.

We drop back down on a dirt track before joining up with the long distance path, the "Sulayr",GR240. We drop down through gorgeous forested hillsides and all the way back for a cold celebration cold drink in the village of Capileira

A totally enjoyable, different and engaging day!

Walk 5 - Ruta Pescados - from the sea to the mountains

This is a relatively new route that celebrates the route that fishermen from the coast used to take to deliver their fish to the mountain villages.

We leave our hotel and follow a well marked path to a viewpoint over the town and surrounding mountains. Then we descend towards the Rules Dam following green streams and valleys. Climbing up to another viewpoint we meet a swing chair installed by the town hall.

A short stretch of road walking follows before we drop down steeply into the lush Rio Lanjaron valley, below towering cliffs. The steep climb back up to the castle in town isn't as bad as it looks as the trail is well graded.

A superb circular route showing the best of this area.

A walk along the GR7 long distance path in the Alpujarras

Villages on the GR7 long distance path through the Alpujarras are conveniently placed about 2 hours apart. These provide welcome rest halts or overnight stops. Our personal favourite is back from Capileira via Bubion, Pampaneira, Soportujar and Cañar to Lanjaron...

"Walking over Lemons", Alpujarra Hiking Weeks with Chris Stewart

The holiday is based at CASA ANA, recently featured in the Times top 50 places for a holiday in Spain. And who better to guide you than Chris Stewart, author of “Driving over Lemons” and himself a keen walker. Chris invites you to explore the area and share his deep knowledge (and great stories) about the history, culture and nature of the Alpujarra...

Favourite Walks in Las Alpujarras

Parking the car at the Hoya del Magalite, a group of cortijos just off the GR413, approximately 10km north of Almegíjar. From here we took the track heading west along the north side of the Sierra de Mecina. Looking down and across to the other side of the Río Trevélez...

When?

Prices

• Hotel Espana 2* €1019 per person
• Hotel Alcadima 3* €1195 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
• Services of local, english speaking local guides
• Not including flights, transfers, insurance, airport transfers, packed lunch and drinks
• One rest day (maybe visit Alhambra, beach or chill by the pool?)
• Single person supplement €25 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 for only €25 per person each way (4 in car sharing) or by mini bus or coach