Day 3rd May
Arrival at Malaga Airport. Transfer to Capileira in Las Alpujarras (90mins). Check-in and briefing at Hotel Rural Finca Los Llanos. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 4th May.
LEVEL A. LA CEBADILLA TO PUENTE NAUTE & PUEBLOS POQUEIRA. CIRCULAR ROUTE. 12 Km +900m/-450m
The walk begins from the village of Capileira (1,050m) & follows a trail that hugs the contours of the gorge formed by the Rios Naute & Poquiera, constantly ascending along Acequia de Los Lugares toward Puente Naute, reaching a high point of c.1,700m. The return leg takes a route on the opposite side of the river via Puente Abuchite & Chiscar under Haza Llana, where we could cross & finish going via Aldeire (10km walk/650km) or continue past Barranco de las Rosas to Puente Molino & connect to the track into Pueblo Bubion & on a further 1km Nth on the GR441 into Capileira (15km walk/700m) or bypass Bubion & keep going onward & in a westerly direction by La Canal & la Collada del Camino de la Cominera to Los Malales to Barrance del Cerezo & turn Nth of Pueblo Pampaneira using the GR441 to return to "Pueblo Capileira". Dinner & Accommodation in Finca Los Llanos.
LEVEL B. CAPILEIRA – BUBION – PAMPANEIRA - CIRCULAR ROUTE. 10 Km +590m/-590m
From the village of Capileira, the route takes us North East along La Canal. Near Aldeire is Puente Chiscar, where we cross the Rio Mulhacen. From there, we follow the Camino de la Cominera in a southerly direction to Puerto Molino & onward across Barranco de Los Herrerillos & connect to Camino de la Sierra, which takes us into Pueblo Pampaneira. Then, turning North along the GR-7 route, we start a 200m ascent for the next 1.5km to Bubion & a further 150m over the next 2km along the PR A-70 walking trail to Capileira.
Dinner & Accommodation in Finca Los Llanos.
Day 5th May
LEVEL A. HIKE TO PEÑA LOS PAPOS PEAK (2,533m). CIRCULAR ROUTE. 14km +1,200m/-1,200m
Today, we move to Trevelez, the highest village in Spain and famous for the Iberian ham. The Peña de los Papos is one of the peaks of Sierra Nevada that stands out for its views, from the Alto del Chorrillo to the West, the Mulhacén, Siete Lagunas, the Alcazaba and a row of three thousand more to the NW, Cerro Pelao to the N, the Sierra de Gádor and all the coast of Granada and Almería to the SE. At the end of the route, we will have the chance to try the delicious Iberian ham with a cold beer. Dinner & Accommodation in Finca Los Llanos.
LEVEL B. HIKE AROUND TREVELEZ RIVER - CIRCULAR ROUTE. 12 Km +400m/-400m.
Gentle walk following the Trevelez river and watching in the background a row of three thousand peaks, including Mulhacen and Veleta. We will also walk in the typical Alpujarras countryside, following “Acequias” (irrigation ditches), “veredas” (official path for the sheep), cortijos (typical Andalusian farmhouses). At the end of the route, we will have the chance to try the delicious Iberian ham with a cold beer. Dinner & Accommodation in Finca Los Llanos.
Day 6th May
LEVEL A. LA TAHA – SIERRA DE MECINA - LOS PUEBLOS. CIRCULAR ROUTE. 11Km +650m/-650m
The start point is the village of Pitres (1,240m), one of the small hamlets of La Taha de Pitres. La Taha is an administrative division of Moorish heritage with seven villages sharing council & public services & a population of just c.800, most living in Pitres. Here, writer Gerald Brenan – "South of Granada" - lived during the summer. It has a microclimate – protected from the full force of the sun & irrigated by the Rio Trevelez, which flows through the gorge below. The track takes you along a path at the beginning, descending towards the river through Fondales (935m) and Ferreirola (1,005m). After that, we will begin the ascent to Atalbeitar and Portugos (1300m), towns, until we reach an upper irrigation canal that will take us to Capilerilla first, then to Pitres, our starting point. Dinner & Accommodation in Finca Los Llanos.
LEVEL B. LA TAHA – LOS PUEBLOS. CIRCULAR OUTE. 9Km +500m/-500m
The route takes you back in time, walking through the region's Moorish history. The villages of La Taha are small, intimate & beautiful, nestled into the hillsides, surrounded by fruit trees & tiny fields where you wonder how the local people could eke out a living there. Starting in Pitres (1,240m), the track takes you down 200m to Mecina (1,040m) & Fondales (935m) & turning there to follow the path to Ferreirola (1,005m) to Fuente de Fanjulia, the track climbs to Atalbeitar (1,143m) & continues just below La Glorieta to Fuente del Gitano back to Pitres (1,243m). Dinner & Accommodation in Finca Los Llanos.
Day 7th May
LEVEL A. HOYA DEL PORTILLO TO REFUGIO POQUEIRA. CIRCULAR ROUTE. 17km +800m/-800m
From the car park at Hoya del Portillo (2,050m), the route following the PR A-26 tracks along a pathway through woodland & continues climbing along the ridge above that tree line to the peak Prado Llano (2,577m). The views are spectacular & even more so as you climb further across the open landscape to Alto del Chorrillo & Hoya del Iglesia (2,700m), from where a contouring descent of 150m leads to Refugio Poqueira (2,550m). The return leg traverses contour 2,500m, Malada de Los Dalienos across the small valley of Peñon Negro to Hoya Grande, where the gentle 400m descent continues to just below the mirador Puerto Molino (2,370m), Loma de Piedra Blanca back to the car park. Dinner & Accommodation in Finca Los Llanos.
LEVEL B. HOYA DEL PORTILLO – PRADO LLANO - CIRCULAR ROUTE. 10 Km +450m/-450m.
This walk also follows the same route as the A's from the car park at Hoya del Portillo (2,050m) to Puerto Molino (2,370m) to the peak Prado Llano (2,577m) along Loma Cascajar Negro to just below the peak 2,602m where we take a track Westerly descending along the ridge to the viewpoint(mirador) Puerto Molino (2,370m) & then down through the woods to the car park where we began. Dinner & Accommodation in Finca Los Llanos.
Day 8th May
DAY OFF - Transfer day to Granada. The group transfer from Capileira to Granada will be after early check-out. The journey will take about 1.5 hours. On arrival, you have the rest of the day to enjoy as you wish. Accommodation in Granada.
Day 9th May
OPTION A) VELETA PEAK. 12Km +900m/-900m
Veleta Peak, known for its distinctive silhouette, is not only a challenge for mountaineers but also a rich site of history. On this ascent of Veleta, you will traverse ancient mountain paths and enjoy privileged views of Sierra Nevada, including Mulhacén, the glacial valleys of the region, and, on clear days, the Mediterranean and the profile of the Moroccan Rif. The adventure starts at Hoya de la Mora, at an altitude of 2,500 metres, near the Sierra Nevada ski resort. From this point, we will begin the ascent to Veleta along a trail that passes through alpine landscapes, ancient glaciers, and spectacular panoramic views. Dinner & Accommodation in Granada.
If it is not possible to ascend Veleta due to the route being covered in snow and ice and the use of crampons and ice axes being necessary, we will proceed with option B.
OPTION B). TREVENQUE PEAK. SEMICIRCULAR ROUTE. 16Km +950m/-950m
Trevenque peak (2,079m) is a dolomite mountain that stands out on the northwest face of the Sierra Nevada and offers a magnificent view of all three western peaks from Pico Veleta to Cerro del Caballo. The abrupt profiles of these mountains are masked by the high mass of the three thousand, but on our route, we will enjoy them face-to-face. From the source of the Hervidero, we will reach the valley of the Dílar river to climb the Trevenque peak. After the delight of the views offered by this magnificent peak, we will approach the small crest of the Alayos del Dílar, which, to the north, closes off this impressive mountain massif. We will descend through the Dilar River Valley, following the Espartera River, finishing a magnificent circular route. Dinner & Accommodation in Granada.
Day 10th May
Breakfast and transfer to Malaga airport.
