Key Facts:
Length: 12 km; Accumulated height difference: 524 m ascent;
Duration: 5 hours (without transportation time); Difficulty: Low-Medium
Meeting point: Plaza del Triunfo, Roundabout in front of the Elvira’s Gate, Granada (see the map)
Departure time (Granada): 9:00 am
Arrival time (Granada): 5:00 pm (depends on the pace of the group)
Family trip?: Yes
The trip:
We’ll start our guided hiking trip in the Lecrín Valley from Atajo Viewpoint at Cónchar and we’ll head north until we reach Baño Viewpoint from where we’ll enjoy magnificent views of the Valley of Dúrcal River. We’ll cross the river and we’ll head towards the baths of Urquizar, a water spring frequented by locals due to its medicinal waters. We’ll walk upstream and we’ll go past the “Antigua Fábrica de la luz” (Old Light Factory). A small bridge will let us continue until the Acequia Real de Cónchar (the Royal Water Channel of Cónchar), which dates from the Nasrid Dynasty.
We’ll leave the river course to enter a pine forest that will lead us up to the “Atalaya de Cónchar” (Watchtower of Cónchar); it is the highest point of our hike in the Lecrín Valley (785 metres). After enjoying a great view of the Valle de Lecrin we’ll start the descent towards the higher part of Cónchar. We’ll surround the town and we’ll stroll around a meadow dotted with farms and orange, lemon, and flowering almond trees. In our way back to the town will pass by two fountains; first the one called “Fuente de la Rata y del Lino” (Rat and Linen Fountain) and the second one the “Fuente que se ríe” (The Fountain that Laughs). At this point we’ll just walk a few minutes and we’ll enter the town centre of Cónchar.
Landscape and heritage
- Lecrín Valley: semi-natural landscape of Muslim heritage
- Fountains and springs
- Ethnographic heritage and ancient agricultural techniques: terraces, water channels, cow routes, and threshing floors.
- Muslim watchtower. A defensive system built during the Nasrid dynasty.
- Almond blossom, citrus trees and vineyards.
Equipment recommended:
We recommend carrying 2l of water. Sunglasses, sun cream, protective lip cream and a hat. Base layer, lightweight fleece, warm fleece or synthetic second layer, windstopper, long trousers, and trekking shoes. Hiking sticks and your personal first aid kit. A small towel to dry our feet (it will be necessary to cross the river).
Logistics:
Participants should take nuts, dried fruits and sandwiches for our picnic in the countryside.
Price of “custom dates”: 45€/pp, including guiding, insurance and transportation. 2 participants minimum. 20% off for more than 4 participants.
Purchasing Conditions: Excursions must be booked and paid for at least three days in advance. Participants must arrive at the meeting point on time. The group will wait for participants for five minutes, but then leave. In this situation, no money will be reimbursed. All participants should ensure that they know how to get to the meeting point and if you have any questions or doubts, please do not hesitate to contact us.
