A journey through the Sierra Nevada combining the white villages of La Alpujarra and the ascent of Mulhacén offers a rich blend of Andalusian culture, high mountain panoramas, and remote alpine solitude—an unforgettable trip in Spain’s most diverse mountain landscapes.
Summary of daily hikes/activities:
- October 12: Transfer to Capileira (6 hours) + White villages hike (medium/low, 5km, 250m+)
- October 13: Hike Acequía Alta (medium, 13km , 550m+)
- October 14: The ascent to Mulhacén (difficult, 17km, 1200m+)
- October 15: Hike Villages of La Tahá (medium, 11km, 400m+)
- October 16: Hike part of the Sulayr trail (medium, 13km, 450m+) + transfer to Güéjar-Sierra
- October 17: Hike Cahorros de Monachil (meidum, 10m, 350m+)
- October 18: Hike Vereda de la Estrella (medium, 17km, 450m+)
- October 19: Transfer back to Valencia with a stop at Alarcón
During this trip, we’ll stay at Hotel Rural Alfajía de Antonio in Capileira and Hotel Juan Francisco in Güéjar Sierra, both perfectly located for exploring the trails of the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarra region.
↓ Sign up for reduced price until September 1 ↓
The White villages of Alpujarra
Set within the dramatic Poqueira Gorge below the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada, the three white-washed Moorish villages of Capileira, Bubión and Pampaneira form the highlight of a superb circular hike through an Andalusian mountain landscape. Spanning roughly 5–6 km and typically taking 2 hours, the route gently descends through olive and chestnut terraces hugging the gorge before climbing back up past traditional “tinaos” and irrigation channels to your starting point. Along the way you enjoy varied terrain—from exposed tracks to cultivated slopes and pine patches—with rewarding panoramic views, and restful stops in each village to explore narrow streets, Moorish architecture, craft shops and local cafés. For enthusiastic walkers seeking history and scenery, this Poqueira circuit offers a memorable taste of Alpuijarra charm in a moderately challenging day‑hike
La Alpujarra – Andalusia Tourism
Acequia Alta
The Acequia Alta hike departing from Capileira is a peaceful, scenic stroll that follows an ancient Moorish irrigation channel high above the Poqueira Valley. From the upper side of the village you begin a gentle uphill walk alongside the acequia, passing through fragrant chestnut and oak woodland before crossing several barrancos and sweeping grassy slopes. With panoramic views of snowy Sierra Nevada peaks and the terraced Alpujarra landscape below, you ascend toward Cortijo de los Llanos before turning back. This tranquil trail offers a glimpse into the ingenious ancient water systems that made the region’s agriculture thrive, clinging dramatically to steep hillsides in places and giving hikers a glimpse of both technical feats and beautiful vistas.
Mulhacén
Mulhacén, standing at 3,479 meters, is the highest peak in mainland Spain and the Iberian Peninsula, dominating the Sierra Nevada range and the broader Andalusian landscape. Named after the 15th-century Nasrid ruler Muley Hacén—who, according to legend, is buried on its slopes—Mulhacén is a popular summit for hikers due to its accessibility in summer months and the absence of technical climbing requirements in dry conditions. From the summit, one can enjoy spectacular 360-degree views that stretch as far as the Mediterranean Sea and, on especially clear days, even to the Rif Mountains of Morocco.
The ascent to Mulhacén from Hoya del Portillo sets out from the highest road-access point in Sierra Nevada (around 2 145–2 150 m), offering a direct and rewarding high‑mountain challenge for experienced hikers. After a climb through pine forest and clearings to Puerto Molina, the trail continues upward along Loma del Tanto toward 3 020 m before looping around high alpine lagoons and passing under Peñón del Globo Occidental, with increasingly rocky terrain leading to the summit.
La Tahá Villages
La Taha’s Villages Hike—often called the medieval or “Ruta del Agua” circuit—offers a captivating glimpse into the quieter, authentic heart of the Alpujarras. Beginning in Pitres, the trail winds through Mecina, Mecinilla, Fondales, Ferreirola, and Atalbéitar, tracing ancient escarihuelas (steep, hand-carved paths), centuries-old acequias and iron-rich springs that once sustained these mountain communities. This loop blends gentle ascents with immersive village stops—including panoramic viewpoints, medieval bridges, and traditional tinaos and lavaderos worthy of architectural admiration. Preserving ancestral charm, each settlement—from Atalbéitar’s well‑preserved layout to Ferreirola’s historic parish church and the bubbling Fonte de la Gaseosa at Fondales—feels frozen in time and invites exploration at a relaxed pace. This moderate hike richly rewards walkers with a sensory mosaic of fragrant chestnuts, rustic whitewashed alleys, iron-red water springs, and sweeping vistas over the Trevélez Valley and Sierra Nevada slopes.
The Sulayr Trail
The Sulayr Trail (GR‑240) is an epic, circular long-distance route of approximately 293–300 km that encircles the Sierra Nevada at mid‑altitudes (1,800–2,500 m), weaving alpine meadows, remote high‑mountain tracks, traditional cortijos, acequias, and historic drovers’ trails across Granada and Almería provinces. Divided into 19 well‑defined stages, the path offers a balanced blend of rugged wilderness and cultural richness, though its remoteness means hikers must plan carefully—and wild camp or mid-point lodging may be necessary between villages. The Sulayr lives up to its Arabic-derived name—“mountain of the sun”—by rewarding walkers with sunlit high‑land vistas, solitude, and a profound sense of pilgrimage around Spain’s highest peaks
Cahorros de Monachil
The Cahorros de Monachil hike is a thrilling, family-friendly gorge walk just a short ride from Granada, winding through the dramatic canyon carved by the Río Monachil amid the lower Sierra Nevada foothills. The canyon climb delivers an “Indiana Jones‑style” adventure, while the final stretch climbs out to sweeping views over olive groves and Sierra Nevada vistas before returning to Monachil along a higher trail.
Los Cahorros’ 63 metre-long suspension bridge is probably one of the best known and most popular attractions in the area, together with the Cumbres Verdes and La Silla del Moro. The bridge was first built over 100 years ago, but it has been continually renovated to guarantee the safety of the visitors.
Los Cahorros – Turismo de Granada
Vereda de la Estrella
The Vereda de la Estrella is one of Sierra Nevada’s most iconic and scenic one-day hikes. Starting near Güéjar Sierra at the Barranco de San Juan trailhead, the path follows the historic route built in the late 19th century to access copper mines, now marked by tunnels and old mine remnants like Mina la Probadora and Mina de la Justicia. The trail skirts dramatic limestone gorges, hugs forested slopes of oak and chestnut, and at “El Abuelo”—a centuries-old chestnut tree—you’ll stop to admire first clear views of the towering north faces of Mulhacén, Veleta and La Alcazaba. As the Genil River cascades below, you pass old stone structures, a vibrant tunnel you can explore with a headlamp, and a scenic bridge where many hikers turn back—the conventional turnaround point before dense vegetation and waterfalls beyond.
Vereda de la Estrella – Turismo de Granada
Accommodation
Located in the heart of Capileira and just a few minutes’ walk from local restaurants and bars, Hotel Rural Alfajía de Antonio is a charming, family-run rural guesthouse praised for its spotless, spacious rooms, communal kitchen, and above all the spectacular rooftop terrace offering panoramic views over the Poqueira Gorge and the Sierra Nevada peaks. Guests consistently highlight the warm hospitality of owners Alberto and Lola, who go out of their way to make you feel at home and provide expert hiking advice. With free parking, reliable Wi‑Fi, laundry services, and optional bike rentals, it’s a practical and restful base for exploring La Alpujarra’s trails
Situated in the charming mountain village of Güéjar Sierra, Hotel Juan Francisco is a delightful two-star rural retreat blending traditional Andalusian charm with modern comforts. It boasts stunning mountain views, an outdoor saltwater pool, free Wi‑Fi, a cozy bar/lounge with a fireplace, and its own restaurant offering local cuisine, along with free private parking. Guests enjoy bright, comfortable rooms—many with furnished terraces or lanais—plus complimentary buffet breakfast each morning. Its location makes it an ideal base for hiking, skiing, canoeing, or visiting Granada and the Alhambra, while the friendly staff provide easy access to both rugged nature and cultural exploration.
Sign Up
The price of the trip is €900 Euros per person (€850 signing up before September 1). 150 euros paid in advance to reserve the spot, balance due by September 20. The price is for a person sharing a twin room. You can reserve a single room for additional 300 euros.
Members get a 25 euro discount.
Free cancellation until September 20.
The price includes transportation, seven nights of accommodation, insurance and a professional guide. Breakfast is included with the stay at Hotel Juan Francisco and is not included in the stay at Hotel Rural Alfajía de Antonio.
You can get more info about the trip by contacting us by e-mail: info@valenciamountainenthusiasts.com