Activities in La Alpujarra, Andalucia
La Alpujarras is the name given to the south side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range - It is an amazing area for so many activities whilst on holiday. Walking, mountain biking, paragliding, horse riding, canyon and rock climbing, painting, bird watching, relaxing and much more. Qualified guides can be arranged for all of these pursuits and maps are available. Below is more detail about just some of the thing on offer in rural Andalucia.
Walking Holidays in Las Alpujarra
The Alpujarras are amongst the best walking Spain can offer. Whether it be high altitude treks, a guided walk to include reaching the peak of Mulhacén (3413 metres - the highest peak in Spain) and the high mountain lakes, or a circular walk from the Apartment walking across mountain streams, passing traditional farms and ending up for a leisurely lunch in the village. The GR-7 crosses through the area (a long distance footpath running from Athens to Algeciras).
Trekking, walking or hiking in the Sierra Nevada Natural Park
Walking can be practiced all year. The area offers a lot of marked routes and tracks starting with 1-2 hours for a walk, to visit three of the beautiful white villages of the Poqueira gorge, Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira. Most routes are well sign posted and Jeremy Rabjohns has written a great walking route book, some of which start in Bubion. A copy is available for guests to use in the apartment
Horse Riding in the Alpujarra And Sierra Nevada Natural Park
Horseback riding in the Las Alpujarras with Dallas Love is a great way to see the stunning scenery. Anything from a two hour gentle trek to a full day excursion with lunch, can be arranged.
Mountain biking holidays and cycling holidays in the Sierra Nevada National Park, Andalucia
A fabulous activity for those looking for an adventure in the high mountains. Cycling around the Sierra Nevada Natural Park can be practised all year round. The tracks are hard but with a good guide they can be achieved. The Alpujarras range from almost sea level up to the high mountains Mulhacén and Pico de Veleta and there are road, off road and high mountain touring routes available.
Because the area is considered such good quality for mountain biking, there are also some excellent guides available to show you the routes and help you navigate the single tracks! For those who enjoy cycling but are not so sure about steep single track descents, there are many good quality fire roads through the park that are lovely to cycle on.
Painting holidays in Andalucia
Come and learn new skills in painting and drawing techniques in Andalucia, southern Spain. Not all painting holidays can offer qualified and experienced tuition with a proven professional track record. Whether you work in oils, watercolours, gouache or pastels, new skills techniques and insights can be learned quickly with effective tuition. Maggy Pishneshin lives in Capileira and runs these successful courses. To find our more visit Arte Andalucia
Pottery workshops
In the little village of Fondales in La Taha you can experience a wonderful time creating master pieces with clay guided carefully by Shelagh – a superb potter and artist. Workshops are usually around 3 hours but it’s a hard place to leave as their hospitality is warm and so welcoming. Shelagh will fire and, if you would like, glaze your work and, time permitting, get it to you to take home, or post it to you - a lovely memory of your time in La Alpujarra.
Skiing in the Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada mountain ski area is about one and a half hours drive from Bubion and usually has good snow conditions from November to April. The season might vary due to extreme climate conditions in a particular year, but you can count on good snow conditions for at least 5 months per year. The ski resort with lifts, telemark, cabins and about 60 km of prepared ski courses, opens usually mid November and closes, depending on snow conditions, April or May. Ski instruction with professional tutor for all levels of skiing skills is easily arranged. Ski gear can be hired in any of the ski shops in the resort.
Out and about in the regions
Granada
Turismo de Granada have produced a great little booklet called ‘weekend’. It shows you many of the exciting places to visit in the region of Granada. One of the most visited placed is the Alhambra and Generalife in Granada. Being so popular, we highly recommend you book tickets in advance Granada has many other attractions including the spectacular cathedral. The Science Park and the Aqua Park are highly recommended for children.
The coast - Costa Tropical
In 70 minutes you can be sitting on the beach of Salobrena ordering sardines that have been cooked on the beach. Along the coast is the resort of Almunecar and La Herradura. La Herradura probably has the best beaches and good restaurants. Just next to La Herradura is the nudist beach Playa de Cantarriján.
Other places worth a visit
Lanjaron with its soothing waters.
La Taha villages including Pitres, Mecina, Fondales and Ferreriola
Trevelez – famed for its ham and being, supposedly, the highest village in Spain
Yegen – the home of Gerald Brenan who wrote the brilliant description of life in Las Alpujarras in the 1920’s – South from Granada - some things still have not changed….
