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Sierra Nevada drive & discover
- Walks to explore the foothills at the base of the Sierra as well as higher elevations in the Alpujarras
- Moorish remains that recall the historic kingdom of Al Andalus.
- Overnight stays at charming rural accommodations.
- A visit to the spectacular "Alhambra" in Granada as well as the historical "White Villages".
- Excursion through the Badlands on Sierra Nevada´s northern side; the landscape of many western movies.
Price on request
Tripcode: ESDD007
2.5 Comfort
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
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1.5 Difficulty
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
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Duration: 8 days
Details
Moorish villages of Granada
A fascinating drive & discover tour around the Sierra Nevada, Andalusia’s snow-capped mountain range.
The peaks of Southern Spain reach elevations of over 3000m and beneath these snowy giants we can find the remains from the ancient Caliphate of Al Andalus, kingdom of the Moors. You’ll visit the spectacular Alhambra in Granada, as well as the historic “White Villages” – or Pueblos Blancos – and the magical Alpujarras, with sculpted hillsides in the form of ancient stepped terraces and irrigation systems still in use centuries later. The traditional architecture belies its Berber origins, tiny white-washed dwellings with flat rooftops.
On the Sierra’s north side, you’ll explore an area of dramatic badlands – known as the backdrop for many Western films. Water is also present here and it marks the countryside in the form of hot springs, destination for one of the optional walking routes on this program.
Three welcoming accommodations: a rural hotel with an excellent restaurant, charming cave dwellings with a lovely hammam, and a friendly “casa rural” in the mountainous Alpujarras.
Itinerary
Expand itinerary Collapse itineraryDay 1: Arrival in Southern Spain
Arrival in Alhama de Granada, a lovely town with white facades and brown tile rooftops beneath the stunning tower of its Gothic church. The town’s splendid location, at the edge of a deep gorge, makes for a breath-taking backdrop.
Challenge: Travel to Alhama de Granada from Granada airport (42 km) or Málaga airport (94 km)
Day 2: Choice of excursions from Alhama de Granada
From Alhama de Granada, there are several nice walks to do in the nearby Natural Park of “Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama”, with summits of over 2000m surrounded by gorgeous evergreen oaks. Or spend the day visiting the unique city of Granada, just 50km away, with the world famous palatial complex at the Alhambra and lovely Generalife gardens. The cathedral and ancient Albaycín quarter add to the virtues of this impressing setting.
Challenge: Walking routes from Alhama de Granada or visit Granada´s historical hightlights.
Day 3: From Alhama de Granada to Guadix
Today you move onward, to the intriguing badlands near Guadix, on theSierra Nevada’s north side. You passGranadaalong the way, option of stopping here to visit theAlhambra. In summer, option of driving all the way up to the ski station at Pradollano, where you’ll be treated to fabulous sweeping views from an elevation of 3200m. Ridge walk from here, along the high mountain tops, with olive orchards and the “white villages” far below.
Challenge: Travel from Alhama de Granada to Guadix (110 km)
Day 4: Excursions in the Badlands near Guadix
Today is the day to explore the bizarre and fanciful formations of the badlands, where green valleys nestle at the foot of bare hilly terrain. Coloured desert-like landscapes emerge from the floors of an ancient inland sea. Optional walking route, which takes you past green oasis in the midst of a dry eroded landscape. Your accommodation here is a unique complex of cave-dwellings, an ideal base for exploring this fascinating area.
Challenge: Exploring the bizarre formations of the Badlands
Day 5: From Guadix to Bérchules
Rest day today. Then choose your driving route through mountains to the south side of the Sierra Nevada. Via the 2000m-high pass at Puerto de la Ragua with several optional walking routes, through the rolling terrain of El Chullo. Or by way of the Sierra de Baza, through virgin countryside marked by deep ravines in a protected area with a great variety of bird species. A longer route for today, and a good option for winter months, goes by way of Tabernas – where many spaghetti westerns were filmed years back.
Challenge: Travel from Guadix to Bérchules (90 km)
Day 6 & 7: Choice of excursions in the Alpujarras
Berchules is the perfect base for excursions in the Alpujarras: on foot, by car, by mountain bike or even on horseback. Here you have 2 days to explore the authentic surroundings in the rest of the Alpujarras, where charming Moorish villages cling to steep mountainsides and ancient irrigation channels criss-cross the slopes. This was one of the last Arabic strongholds to fall in the Christian reconquest. Circular walks from spectacular settings such as Trevélez, Bubion or Pórtugos, or directly from your front door at Cortijo El Paraje. Challenging mountain biking routes from Trevélez or horse-riding excursions from Berchules.
Challenge: Walks starting directly from your accommodation or from spectacular mountains villages.
Day 8: End of Program
Your journey comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Departure from Bérchules.
Challenge: Travel from Bérchules
Practical info
Included:
- 7 nights accommodationon a bed&breakfast basis
- Detailed maps and route notes in English
- 24 hour telephone assistance, just a phone call away.
Not Included:
- Travel to and from Southern Spain
- Lunches and dinners
- Rental car
- Entrance tickets to museum and monuments
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Any items not specifically mentioned in the program
Optional Services:
- Extra night/s at any accommodation along the trip can be booked
Reviews
Start: Alhama de Granada
Finish: Bérchules
Dates & prices
Trip availability: Total year
Price on request