• Day 1

  Cerro Huenes-Cahorros de Monachil

  Starting point in Granada: Paseo Enrique Tierno Galvan, Granada (see the map) – Bus line 275 to Cumbres Verdes, Bus stop next to the congress palace
  http://siu.ctagr.com/es/horarios_lineas_tabla.php?linea=871
  Finishing point: Monachil, Granada – where we will take the bus back to Granada city center.

  A hiking trip close to Granada. Our starting point in Granada will be the bus stop located in Paseo Enrique Tierno Galvan, Granada (next to the congress palace). We will catch the bus line 275 to Cumbres Verdes at 9:00 am. So we will meet at 8:50 am.
  We will get off the bus in Cumbres Verdes and start our hike. For the first part of the walk we will have views down to the city of Granada and its agricultural plain. The path runs through a quite open countryside and sections of forest.
  After surrounding the Cerro Huenes hill we will make an important descent to reach the valley of the river Monachil. With its wild flowers, fruit trees, cascading and Tibetan bridges to cross the gorge, the lush Monachil valley is one of the most beautiful areas for walking near Granada. This walk is particularly recommended when the flowers mare out in spring.
  The path through the gorge is quite awkward in some sections due to lack of head clearance. Los Cahorros is an enjoyable hike. We will make use of the metal handles set into the rock and will walk always next to the river.

  Landscape, heritage, and Natural History:

  • Geological origin and evolution of Sierra Nevada and Granada’s plain
  • Dolomite and the dolomitic landscape: erosion, gravels, soils, vegetation
  • Specific and endemic flora linked to the dolomite and the presence of Magnesium in the soil
  • The traditional uses of land
  • The formation of the Monachil gorge and its relation with a geological fault.

  Key facts:

  • • Length: 17 km
    • Accumulated height difference: 800 m descent and 300 m ascent;
    • Difficulty: Medium. Long descent with loose stones in some parts of the track. Walking poles are recommended.
    • Duration: 6-7 hours

• Day 2

  Hike at Natural Park of Sierra de Huetor

  The Natural Park of Sierra de Huétor offers multiple hiking possibilities. In this case, we have chosen a lesser-known trail that starts at the village of Nívar and finishes at the farmhouse of Carialfaqui. It is an easy walk through the Sierra of the Alfaguara and Yedra. We will walk in trails, paths and, sometimes, along the Fardes irrigation channel. This is a round trip that goes through crops and pine forests. The views are breathtaking.

  Landscape, heritage, and Natural History:

  • • • Features of the Sierra de Huetor Natural Park
      • Landscape and views
      • Uses of the land, traditions and ethnographic heritage

  Key facts:

  • • • Length: 12,5 km
      • Accumulated height difference: 345m ascent;
      • Difficulty: Easy
      • Duration: 4-5 hours

• Day 3

  the two hills of Granada

  The history of Granada is linked to two hills: the hill of Albaicín-Sacromonte and the hill of the Alhambra. This semi-urban hike will introduce us to the natural history of Granada.

  We will meet at “Arco de Elvira”—a door of the old Muslim city—to climb up the Albaicin following the old city wall. From the Albaicín we will continue to Sacromonte and pass by several viewpoints to enjoy Granada from a bird’s eye view. The route will find its way into nature through a path surrounded by pines that will lead us to the Sacromonte Caves Museum. After a visit and a small break, we will descend to the Darro River and start the second part of the hiking activity in Granada.

  The path will take us now to the hill of the Alhambra, we will walk through the forest that covers the hill. The ascent will lead us to the “Acequia Real de la Alhambra” (Royal Irrigation Channel). The water is the main focus of this trip. We will discover where and how water arrives at the Generalife and how it reaches the Alhambra palaces and how it goes back to the Darro River in a perfect cycle.

  After five hours walking around the two hills of Granada, we will finish with some beers in one of the bars next to Darro River, with magnificent views of the Alhambra and Generalife.

  Landscape, heritage, and Natural History:

  • • • • Nature and history of Granada. Evolution of the old city
        • Nasri heritage: irrigation channels to the Alhambra and Generalife gardens
        • Stunning views of Granada
        • Life in the caves, Sacromonte heritage

  Key facts:
  Length: 12,5 km
  Accumulated height difference: 345m ascent;
  Difficulty: Easy
  Duration: 4-5 hours

• Day 4

  The genuine Alpujarra

  Guided nature hike in a magical area of theSierra Nevada.
  La Alpujarra is a remote region found on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada range. Its white villages are literally perched on the mountain. The landscape is a wonderful blend of natural vegetation and fruit trees growing on hand made terraces built centuries ago.
  Taha de Pitres is the name of a municipality which is made up of seven small settlements. The hike will take us through some of these small villages, which are the best examples of the traditional architecture of the Alpujarra, such as Mecina, Ferreirola, Busquistar and Atalbéitar.
  While walking, we will talk about the history of the Alpujarra, the characteristics of its urban planning and architecture, natural resources and traditions. We will come across natural water sources, old irrigation channels, traditional public laundries, churches, threshing floors, and ancient chestnut trees, among other things. In short, a variety of features that will give us the opportunity to be an ecotourist and really immerse ourselves in the region.

  Landscape, heritage and Natural History:

  • • • • Life at La Alpujarra to the South of Sierra Nevada
        • La Alpujarra landscape
        • Ethnography, urbanism and medieval architecture in La Alpujarra
        • Legends and traditions in La Alpujarra

  Key facts:

  • • • • Route type: round trip
        • Route length: 10km
        • Accumulated height difference: 400m
        • Duration: 4 – 5 hours
        • Difficulty: Medium

• Day 5

  Caminito del Rey

  Our last activity in this hiking vacations in Granada is a real adventure.
  Caminito del Rey is a route that goes along Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Gorge. The gorge, the most famous part of the trail, comprises 3km of boardwalks and bridges literally hanging from the walls of the gorge. This part requires entrance tickets and a local guide. The trail that gives access to the boardwalks is also of great scenic interest.

  Walking through the boardwalks of the gorge is just a part of the experience at Caminito del Rey. This walk has an interesting story linked to the hydroelectric engineering works that took place during the 20th century and which are nowadays considered as the most interesting ones of the century. The waterfalls, the reservoir and the trail that allowed access to the works and maintenance of the hydroelectric power station, are part of Spain’s industrial heritage.

  Multiple historical remains of great natural and cultural value surround the reservoir and the Caminito del Rey. We will visit the Bobastro Ruins, a forgotten fortress that served as a station to Omar ibn Hafsun, the leader of a great rebellion against the Cordoba Caliphate between 880 and 918 AC. The remains of an old Christian church are still recognisable.

  Key facts:

  • • • • • Length: Total length of the route is 7.7 km, divided into 4.8 km long access ways and 2.9 km long boardwalks.
          • Difficulty: Easy. This trip is not recommended for people who suffers from vertigo.

• What’s included

  .

  • • • • • • • • Guide with expert knowledge of the area, not only in terms of hiking but also in the ecology of the ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada. The hikes will be in Spanish and English
                • Tickets for the Caminito del Rey and local guide.
                • Accident and liability insurance.
                • Equipment to maximize safety, such as walkie talkies.
                • Group field material: maps, GPS, guides to the area, binoculars.
                • Communal first aid kit

• What isn’t included

  • • • • • • • • Food
                • Personal travel insurance
                • Anything that has not been previously mentioned

• Recommended equipment

  • • • • • • • • Sunglasses, sun cream and protective lip balm. Hat or winter hat and gloves.
                • Hiking footwear; hiking boots or shoes.
                • Technical mountain clothing, short- sleeved and long-sleeved t-shirts made of breathable fabric (not cotton) and a fleece or warm layer. Hiking trousers and jacket made of Gore-Tex or a similar fabric to act as a wind stopper.
                • Personal snack food such as dried fruit and nuts or energy bars and picnic lunch
                • 1.5 litre water bottle or camelbag, with drinking tube if possible.
                • Hiking poles.
                • Camera, mobile phone and other electronic devices and their chargers.
                • Small first aid kit and any personal medication.
                • Notebook and pencil (optional).
                • Knee bands, if necessary.
                • Personal documents, such as identity cards and European health insurance cards.

• Meals

  Picnics are not included in this activities. We can provide them if you want. The price of a picnic lunch is €10.

  Our picnics include handmade rolls using traditional oven baked bread, tomatoes, lettuce, cured meat or Spanish omelette, orange juice, a piece of fruit and a chocolate bar.

  These products are sourced from local shops, in order to support the economy of the local area

  If you are vegetarian, have any allergies or any other dietary requirements, please let us know beforehand.

We will start at 8:00 every day. It is very important to stick to the timetable because it’s necessary to rest between each day’s hike.

Weather in the Sierra Nevada

The weather in the Sierra Nevada can be changeable but, in general, October is a mild month with temperatures around 15-20ºC. The strong sun on a clear sunny day can cause sweating. There is the probability of rains.

According to our terms and conditions, the guide, being the person responsible for the group, can decide to modify the route and the timetable in the case of unfavourable weather forecasts, public land closures or other circumstances. Such changes will not be subject to refunds.

Guides and Safety

All our guides have the necessary training to ensure the complete safety of the group.
We will keep the group together and in contact by using walkie talkies. Our guides have all taken first aid courses.

Medical considerations

We ask that our hikers inform us of the existence of any chronic or cardiovascular illness which could interfere with hiking activities. To this end, we will send out a form which must be completed. The personal information which is given is covered by our data protection policy and will not be used for anything other than to provide us with the information necessary for this activity to be carried out safely and successfully.

For the same reasons, we need to know about any allergies.

The high mountains are demanding. In different guidebooks, the routes which we will do are catalogued as being low or medium difficulty, but it is necessary to remember that these are mountaineering guides and are written for regular mountain users.

A good level of physical fitness is required and previous experience of routes of a similar difficulty is necessary. The pace that we will follow is not a sporting one but a pace which will allow interpretation and interaction, however, experience or regular hiking is essential.

Price:

Our prices are estimated taking into account the number of participants registered on the deadline of the inscription. The deposit into the account is made in order to reserve the vacancy and also to know, in advance, the number of participants that will be realizing the activity. In case the activity is cancelled, the deposit would be returned. On the other hand, if the activity is successfully organized, a second pay would be realized with the final amount.

Group size

Minimum 4 and maximum 20

Payment

Deposit of €100 of the total before indicated date.

Cancellation and refund policy

In case of cancellation, the following policy applies.

• • • • • • More than 25 days prior to the starting date of the trip, we will grant you a full refund minus a €30 administrative fee per reservation.
          • Between 24 days and 10 days prior to the starting date of the trip, we will retain 50% of the trip cost.
          • Less than 9 days prior to the starting date of the trip, or once the trip has begun, there will be no refund.

Terms and conditions and environmental policy

ierraySol is an enterprise that belongs to the Asociación de la Carta Europea de Turismo Sostenible de Sierra Nevada. If you are looking forward to realize an activity truly responsible with the environment in this green space, we encourage you to use the services of the organization since all the enterprises adhered are accredit by Europarc. They also make a great effort to minimize the environmental impact and to contribute with the local development. In the next PDF you will find every enterprise of the organization. You can also find information about them in www.ecoturismosierranevada.com
Ecoturismo