dossier

Heart of the Alpujarras Walk

Day 1:  Arrive in Mairena

We meet you at Malaga airport and take you to your hotel in Mairena where David Illsley, our representative, will chat to you about the weeks’ walking. Dinner is served overlooking the sun terrace in summer, by the wood-burning fire in the cooler months.

Day 2:  Mairena to Cadiar  6mi/10km/3hr

Time to explore Mairena, regarded as the “Balcony of the Alpujarras” -  magnificent views out across the Med towards North Africa. Then, after a short transfer south to Jorairotar, it’s easy, flat walking along the valley floor passing oranges, almonds, figs and fields of wonderfully colourful wild flowers. Beautiful views of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada to the north as you descend to Mariano’s magnificently restored 18-room cortijo. Make sure to have pre-dinner drinks on the terrace, superb sunsets right out across the valley.

Day 3:  At Cadiar

A lovely riverside path, passing olive groves and fields of vines, takes you into Cádiar, a popular town famous for its autumn fiestas when the waters of the fountain are literally turned into wine to mark the end of the annual grape harvest. For a longer day out, we can arrange a taxi to Granada to visit the outstanding Alhambra Palace.

Day 4:  Cadiar to Berchules  11mi/17km/5.5 hrs

Setting off through the vineyards, you cross the Rio Guadalfeo and onto Lobras, "Village of Flowers", before continuing along the classic GR7 (which starts in Greece and ends in Gilbraltar) up to Timar, known for its traditional hand-crafted jarapas– throws made from woven fabric – manufactured by the villagers (all 22 of them!) for centuries. There is an ancient Islamic castle and pretty church. Little-trodden paths then lead you up to Bérchules where Wendy and Alejandro offer a genuine welcome, great home cooking and spectacular sweeping views.

Day 5:  Berchules

Perched on the mountainside above the gorges of the Chico and Grande rivers, this beautiful white village owes much to its Moorish past: well-maintained terraced slopes for farming, abandoned silk mills, unique architecture and complex irrigation systems. There’s a lovely walk down through mulberry bushes to where the rivers meet – an idyllic picnic spot. Alternatively, take a taxi to Trévelez, Spain’s highest village, famous for its Serranohams and narrow cobbled streets.

Day 6:  Berchules to Yegen  11mi/17km/5 hrs

A well-trodden mule track gently zig-zags the mountain and takes you up above Bérchules - stunning views out over the Sierra de Contraviesa. Look out for Hoopoes, Golden Orioles and Golden Eagles circling overhead. After a tapaslunch in Mecina Bombarón – outstanding Muslim architecture, C16 Christian church and attractive Roman bridge – it’s down through strawberry trees and prickly pears to ancient El Golco and on to Yegen.

Day 7:  At Yegen

A hugely attractive village, Yegen is where Maltese-born writer, Gerald Brennan, was living when he wrote “South of Granada” in the 1920’s. Today it remains quintessentially Alpujarran: higgledy-piggledy white houses; orange orchards, pomegranates and persimmon fruit; centuries-old water fountains, donkeys laden with olive baskets returning at the end of the day. You can follow the well-marked walking trail dedicated to the famous historian, visit neighbouring Yator or relax by the hotel pool.

Day 8:  Yegen to Mairena 9mi15km/4hr

Your last days’ walking takes you along a gentle Camino Real – the mountain air heavy with wild rosemary, fennel, garlic and chive. Either picnic at the  Cortijo Cuesta Vinas , or carry on to the escabarache– pickled partridge – if you fancy going native!). It’s then a short climb up to the lavender-covered plateau before a final descent back down to Mairena.

Day 9:  Leave Mairena

We take you to Malaga airport for  flights home.