The Alpujarras, Sierra Nevada, Andalucia

SUMMARY

Dates: Saturday 20th September to Friday 26th September 2025  6 nights with 5 days walking

Guide: Local Guide – Victoria Bocanegra Montanes

Walking Grade: We grade this 2 Goats – we are in the Sierra Nevada staying in the village of Capileira which is the highest white village at 1,436m. Paths are good and steady with lots of variety. They are sometimes rocky in paces so walking poles advisable. Our guide Victoria will lead you on walks that will give you an experience of life in the Alpujarras. We use some of the paths that villagers have been using for centuries.

Maximum distance: 15km/9.3 miles

Maximum ascent: 550m unless you walk up Mulhacen which is approx 879m depending on which route we take.

Terrain: mostly smooth paths but there are some rocky with loose stones.

There is a chance to walk Mulhacen the highest mountain in the Sierra Nevada which is 3,479m. We start from 2,600m so this ascent is 879m and very gradual. This is a longer walk and gives fabulous views across the Sierra Nevada. Due to altitude we grade this 3 Goats.  This is an optional walk for those who would like it and Victoria leads at a steady pace to make sure everyone acclimatises. Last year she successfully led everyone to the summit.

We will have rest time during the week and you have options to shorten walks or stay and relax at the hotel or wander in the village.

Base: Hotel de Real Poqueira,Capileira.The hotel is in the centre of the village and is a traditional old hotel run by women. It has the bonus of a large outdoor pool. As a guest said last year “ A brilliant, comfortable hotel with excellent breakfast and a swimming pool perfect for relaxing after a great days walking”.

Note: the pool is not open if the weather is too cold.It is unheated.

Arrival: Capileira is 2 hours from Malaga Airport. We will arrange one airport transfer to pick up around 3pm at Malaga Airport. Please book flights to meet this transfer.

Departure: There will be an airport transfer leaving the hotel at approximately 10am. Please book flights to leave at 14.00 or later.

If you would like to stay on for a weekend in Malaga,Granada or further afield we can help arrange this. We have hotels we use and can recommend.

Price: £1,400 per person for the weeks holiday includes:

If you bring a partner/friend and share a room the price is £1200 per person.

• Bed and Breakfast – ensuite room
• 2 evening meals Welcome and Final night ( other evenings you can explore the many local restaurants in the village)
• Expert local guiding
• Group transfer to and from Malaga airport
• Local transport required for walks

Not included: 

• Travel to Spain
• Lunches which will be bought from local shops or from cafes/restaurants on the walks.

If you bring a partner/friend and share a room the price is £1200 per person. We will adjust your invoice once you have paid your deposit.

Stay in a beautiful white mountain village in the heart of the Alpujarras and explore an area with rich culture and a wonderful variety of walks from rivers to mountains. A real Spanish adventure.

DETAILS

We are based in a lovely small village Capileira which is one of the well known white villages of the Alpujarras. It is the highest of the three villages and there is a well marked ancient trail down to Bubion and Pampaneira. The beautiful cobbled streets and back drop of the Sierra Nevada mountains makes this a wonderful place to spend some time and get to experience this rural culture. You can find so many homemade products – honey, wine, cheese, chocolate, speciality ham and the restaurants are proud to share their local specialities with guests.

The villages have a Moorish influence as the local Spanish Muslims inhabited this area for hundreds of years after the initial Moorish conquest of 711AD. These villages were created in the style to which they were used to in Africa. Now these villages are quiet with many young people leaving to seek out a life in the city. The villagers rely on tourism and we have found a wonderful hotel run by women where we base ourselves.

This area is fantastic for nature lovers and as you walk there are wonderful views of gorges, waterfalls and rivers as well as the mountains of the Sierra Nevada. There may be opportunities for a dip!

Our guide Victoria lives in Granada and has been walking these hills and mountains for many many years. She shares her knowledge and passion for the region as you walk and talk.

ITINERARY

Itinerary – this is subject to change depending on the weather and at the discretion of the guide. The days walking will be discussed with the group the evening before and may vary depending on the group and the weather. We always trust the local knowledge of our guide and guests need flexibility and a sense of adventure.

Arrival for an evening briefing at our hotel around 6pm with dinner to follow.

Walk 1 – White Villages Of The Poqueira 9.5km 544m ascent/descent

We start from our hotel at the top of three white hill villages in Capileira. We walk between Bubion and Pampaneira, all sitting on hillsides above the dramatic Poqueira gorge only a couple of hours from Malaga and the coast. Mulhacen, the highest mountain in the Sierra Nevada at 3482m rises above Capileira where we are based. We will walk along the historic trail that links all three of these villages.

We start from our base in the highest of the villages, Capileira. The trail drops down to cross the Rio Poqueira via a small bridge. We wind down through the hills going through Bubion with lots of cafes and rest stops. Then on to Pampaneira and back via a circular route.

Walk 2 – Medieval Way – Taha Del Pitres Villages 8.5km 424m ascent/decent

We will walk in 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 following 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.

Walk 3 – GR7 long distance path Soportujar to Lanjaron 15km 386m ascent and 680m descent

The Alpujarra boast stunning scenery, normally sunny weather and is a wonderful area for enjoying the delights of this uniquely Andalucian Spanish walking tour. We choose the spring and autumn months when the surroundings are particularly beautiful. In spring the land is carpeted with a vast array of wild flowers and blossom adorns the fruit trees which are dotted around the slopes.

We walk along the long distance GR7, traversing hillsides and gorges, through the quiet non-tourist white villages of Soportujar and Cañar.

This is a varied walk through Forests, cultivated land, gorges, streams and irrigation channels, complete with sleepy white villages. The walk is, for the most part, easy gradients. A lovely day walk and a good introduction to the area.

Walk 4 – GR240 High Forests Of The Alpujarras 11km 539m ascent/descent

This is a walk to visit the high forests and experience new vistas of the Sierra Nevada. We walk 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 on a good day we can clearly see the main peaks.

Walk 5 – there will be an option to walk up Mulhacen and/or visit the village of Trevelez.

Mulhacen is 15km 977m ascent/descent. We take a bus to start half way up the mountain.

There  will be an option for free time during the week to have time to rest at the hotel pool or wander about the village.