Day 1-7

Day 1: Begin your walking adventure in Spain. We will provide a complimentary transfer from Malaga airport to our hotel in Lanjaron (Distance: 128.8km/ approximate transfer time: 1 hour and 20 minutes). Once here you will have time to relax before joining our group for dinner.

Day 2: Join us for an orientation meeting. After breakfast there will be an introductory gathering organised with our local expert mountain guides to discuss the walking routes we can expect throughout our holiday. Details will be discussed on the expected terrain and difficulty of the walking routes. Packed lunches will be included on all walking days throughout our holiday. Lets’s get started! Our hike today begins as we set off from our hotel by foot, walking out of the town of Lanjarón. During today’s walk we will learn all about the “acequias” (irrigation ditches) in the area, many of which date back to the 10th, 11th and 12th centuries, when the Iberian Peninsula was dominated by the Moors. Walking by the “acequias” is an extremely pleasant experience as we learn about the history of the region while taking in some magnificent views. With the soft trickle of water by our side and fine trees that have grown along the routes, we will all enjoy a fine day’s trekking. The group will follow the “acequias” of Aceituno to Secarta. Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 9 km / Ascent: 445m / Descent: 416m / Duration: 4 hour

Day 3: Let us take you on another outdoor adventure. Today we will explore the three villages in the beautiful valley of Poqueira. The group will start in Pampaneira and after a short tour in this delightful “Pueblo Blanco” (white village), we will embark on our walk up the valley, passing the pretty town of Bubión and finally reaching the highest village, Capileira. The beauty of these villages is not only in their quirky architecture, but also in their stunning location affording excellent views both up and down the valley. After Capileira we will then cross the valley over one of the quaint little bridges spanning the river, that gives its name to the valley, and make our way back down, completing a circular route. Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 10 km / Ascent: 280m / Descent: 280m / Duration: 4 hours

Day 4: Join us for a day of cultural sightseeing in the city of Granada, set in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range and the last stronghold of the Moors before they were finally expelled from Spain in 1492. Lets’ take a walk with our guide in the city centre where we can visit highlights such as Spain’s first Renaissance cathedral and the Capilla Real with the sepulchre of Ferdinand and Isabella, the legendary catholic king and queen who sponsored Christopher Columbus’ voyages to America. After you have some free time for lunch in one of Granada’s many tapas bar, join us for a visit to the Alhambra, where an official guide will show us the unique architectural treasures of this magnificent fortress and also the ‘Generalife’, the spectacularly situated summer palace with its beautiful fountains and gardens

Day 5: Let’s embark on another invigorating walk! We will start by visiting the ruins of the old Moorish fortress that defended Lanjarón. After that, we will cross the river walking through orchards until we reach the hermitage of Tajo de la Cruz, which has impressive views. Walking through the valley, we will return to Lanjarón. We can expect to encounter some more “acequias” today as well as walking on terraced almond and olive groves, which are an important part of local economy. The group will end the roundtrip entering Lanjarón via one of the most popular of the local water fountains. Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 11.5 km / Ascent: 590m / Descent: 0m / Duration: 4.5 hours

Day 6: Join us to explore the northern face of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The landscape here is different to the one we encountered on our previous walks. Our adventure takes us higher up, so we really get the feeling of high mountain, with valleys carved from glaciers and grand open spaces. In fact, we will be on valleys parallel to the ski pistes. The group will start the day visiting the botanical garden at Hoya de la Pedraza, where we will walk along its paths and learn all about the local flora, including threatened species. We will then transfer to the source of the San Juan River valley and embark on a 6 km high mountain circular walk, finishing at the San Francisco Craggs, which has excellent views. Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 7 km / Ascent:350m / Descent:350m / Duration: 4 hours

Day 7: Lets’ discover Taha de Pitres! The village known as Taha de Pitres is composed of 7 small dwellings that have been connected by paths which have been used for many centuries. An important number of these paths have the local specific name of “escarihuelas”, which zig-zag up and down and across the river. We will begin our walk in Busquistar and after following the road for some time will then veer off to the right. The path is beautiful from here onwards, as it breaks off to the “Mezquitilla” area, and upon returning to our main path the group will descend through forest to Atalbéitar, a dwelling of just 5 families, and one of the most authentic places in the Sierra Nevada. From here, we round off the walk via the quaint villages of Ferreirola and Mecina Fondales before returning to Busquistar. Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 9 km / Ascent: 545m / Descent: 480m / Duration: 4 hours