The ALPUJARRAS - SIERRA NEVADA SPAIN
Our base is a small guesthouse at Mairena, run by an English couple with great enthusiasm for the area. It is situated high in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada of Andalucia in the range of mountains and valleys known as the Alpujarras. The area is of outstanding natural beauty and ecological diversity and it is not hard to imagine that seven hundred years ago this was the fabled promised land of the Moors.
Tiny villages are linked by a network of ancient Caminos Reales, centuries old pathways kept open by royal decree and which are still used to this day by the mules taking farmers to their work. The Mediterranean glistens some 15 miles to the south and the magnificent towering snow capped heights of the Sierra Nevada look down on the fertile terraces from almost 11.000 feet above.
One Base Holiday in Mairena
In this option we offer you a menu of possible walks and day trips from
which you can choose from each day. This gives you the option to make
use of our detailed knowledge of the area and to choose exactly what
you would like to do on a daily basis depending on the weather and your
energies. A sample list of the kind of walks and activities that are
available is as follows.
· Full day's hike to peak of el Morron (2730 m) high in the Sierra
Nevada.
· Visit to local village of Yegen, home of writer and Hispanophile
Gerald Brenan.
· Day trip to wild beaches and bird sanctuary of Cabo de Gata.
· 15 km mountain bike descent on forest trails back to house
from mountain pass of Puerto de la Ragua.
· Visit to historic city of Granada and guided tour of Alhambra.
· Various half day's strolls through almond terraces and pick
up from the neighbouring villages.
· Day in the workshop with tuition / guidance from the local
English speaking furniture maker.
· Day painting among the olive and almond trees with experienced
local painter.
· Full day's horse ride with experienced riders along the ancient
Camino Real.
· Windsurfing on the Mediterranean - tuition and board hire available.
· Overnight camping / star-gazing in the high mountains.
Self Guided Trekking
For the more ambitious walkers we offer a four base holiday which included
airport transfer and baggage transport. Day 1 and day 2 are spent in
Mairena from where you choose from a variety of walks for the first
day. On day 3 you set off with detailed route notes and map and start
to walk westward along the ancient Camino Real pathway. You will stay
one night in the picturesque whitewashed village of Yegen, home of Gerald
Brenan and then a further night in Berchules perched high on the mountain
side with views down the valley. On day 5 you reach village of Trevelez,
situated in the shadows of Mulhacen, the hightest mountain in Spain
and famous for its curing hams and from there are transported back to
Mairena on day 6 for a final day to relax or, for the energetic, a final
walk before you return journey. Each day is a full day's hike through
varied and stunning landscape complete with wooded gorges, fertile olive
terraces and over craggy ridges at higher altitudes.
Excursions
For those visitors with their own transport we are ideally situated for day trips to the beautiful city of Granada with its Moorish palace of the Alhambra and Renaissance cathedral and monuments. You may want to visit the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella, the first Catholic monarchs, or simply stroll along the narrow streets stopping for tapas at local bars or in hidden squares.
The troglodyte town of Guadix is also a short drive away with its weekly
street market selling local produce and on the way you can stop at the
stunning castle of La Calahorra set on its own on a hill with the vast
expense of the Sierra Nevada behind.
Alternatively you may wish to head for the unspoilt protected area of
the Cabo de Gata with its wild beaches, cliffs and bird sanctuary. This
is an ideal spot for traditional fish restaurants and for those who
wish to contrast the mountain life with a few hours next to the sea.
Getting There
The nearest airports are Almeria, Granada and Malaga. These have flights
from many regional airports in UK. A hire car picked up at the airport
is the easiest option, or taxi transfers can be arranged. The driving
times are Almeria 1.5 hours, Granada 2 hours and Malaga 3 hours.
