La Alpujarra
getting there - tourist
information - accommodation - walks - rock climbing -
canyoning - mountain biking
The Alpujarra, characterised by it's moorish style white
villages and terraced hillsides, skirts the lower slopes of
the Sierra Nevada mountains. Although now many of the
villages are a popular desitination for tourists, there are
still some which retain their sense of isolation and
history.
Steep sided valleys offer spectacular walking along old
mule tracks or through anciant oak forest. The landscape
changes with the seasons, and whilst at lower levels it is
hot in summer, higher slopes often have a cooling breeze.
Spring and Autumn are particularly pleasant, with wild
flowers early in the year and the fruits and bright colours
of later months.
Directions to La
Alpujarra
Lanjarón is known as the gateway to the Alpujarra. The town
is on the road leading east from the Granada Motril
motorway. Beyond this the A348 continues towards Orgiva
where it branches north east to the Alpujarra villages.
Travel by bus to the Alpujarra or Granada on the Alsina
Graells buses. Granada to Trevelez (Line 785) and Granada -
Alacutar (line 618). Check the timetable and prices on
their website
Tourist
information
Tourismo Alpujarra is based in Orgiva tel. 958 784 484.
There is an information centre with books and maps for
independant walkers and an exhibition about the area at
Pampaneira tel. 958 763 127.
Accommodation
There are many penions and small hotels in the main
villages (in particular Pampaneira, Bubion and Capileira).
There are campsites at Orgiva, Capileira, Pitres and
Trevelez
Walks around La
Alpujarra
There area is ideal for a variety of walks of all
standards. Whether you enjoy a gentle stroll or mountain
walking or something more challenging, you do not have to
travel far to enjoy them all.
There are two long distance trails through the area. The GR
142 crosses the Alpujarra from Lanjarón to Finana, in all
around 45 hours of varied walking. The GR 7, a much long
trail, part of which skirts the lower slopes of the sierra
nevada mountains.
Rock
climbing
There are a variety of bolted routes of all grades at
Capileira.
Canyoning
The steep sided gorges of the region, filled for most of
the year with water flowing from the Sierra Nevada
mountains have formed some magnificent 'outdoor caves'
These offer some challenging decsents. Maximum enjoyment is
gained from following the watercourse, but beware - this
can be dangerous, particularly during the spring months
when the water is at it's greatest.
Mountain
Biking
The many dirt tracks offer great scope for mountain biking
Bikes can be hired from Biking Andalucia in Orgiva for
around €25 per day.
Books and Maps about
the Alpujarra
A range of useful walking guidebooks, maps and books about
the Alpujarra, Sierra Nevada and Granada.