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Journey
to the last refuge of the Moors
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Reminiscence
of the past!
Situated
in the south of the giant montain peaks of the Mulhacén and the
Veleta, the Alpujarra was considered invincible for hundreds of years. Romans, Arabs, Spanish and even the
French
tried to conquer it, but only the Muslims succeeded in settling in
the Alpujarra for a long while. Until the 16th century they were
the only owners of this Alpine region. Later on, this beautiful
piece of country fell into oblivion, until the travellers of the
romantic era discovered it again. Some traditions and customs have survived until the present day.
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Highlights
- Granada
- Capileira
- Pampaneira
- Trevélez
- Pta. "Ragua"
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Description
Southeast of Granada the route passes the last Arabic
enclaves, between the Sierra Nevada and the Sierras
of Lújar and of Contraviesa. Mountainous landscapes,
picturesque white villages and deep valleys and gorges
dominate great parts of the itinerary between the health
resort Lanjarón and the mountain pass Puerto de
la Ragua on 2000 meters/6500 feet. This route can be
continued visiting Guadix, with its characteristic
cave houses before returning to Granada. Also possible:
follow the road towards Almeria, passing Ohanes.
Itinerary
From Granada, passing the health resort Lanjarón, then to
the white mountain villages of the Alpujarra. The route
passes the Puerta de la Ragua, then to Lacalahorra and to
Guadix and back to Granada.
Option: from Puerta de la Ragua to Laujar de Andarax and
then to Almería (city).
Time
needed
2 or 3 days
Distance
approx. 280 kilometer/ 175 miles
Best
travel season
April until November
Landscape
an protected areas
Located between the Sierra Nevada National Park and the
Mediterranean lie the "Alpujarras", a territory
of approximately 80 by 30 kilometer. Steep mountains,
beautiful valleys, wild creeks and deep gorges
characterize this region
Sierra Nevada National Park
Declared a National Park in the year 1999 it is, with its
lagoons and glaciers, a area full of contrasts. To it
belong the two highest mountains of the Iberian Peninsula,
the Mulhácen (3.482 meters/) and the Veleta (3.392
meters/).
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Tourist
information
Almería
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Parque Nicolás Salmerón
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Granada
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Corral del Carbón
Plaza Mariana Pineda 10
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Guadix
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Road
to Granada
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Accommodation
Large
number of accommodation in Granada. Almería and also in
the health resort Lanjarón. Some hotels and hostels
can be found in the Alpujarra itself. Also apartments and
several campsites.
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Activities
Almería
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Diving,
Cycling, Mountain Climbing, Horseriding
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Bubión
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Horseriding,
Hiking
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Granada
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Horseriding,
Flying; Skiing, Hiking
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Jeres de
Marquesado
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Horseriding
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Pampaneira
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Horseriding,
Hiking
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Feasts/Festivals
Patron
Saint Feasts / Ferias
almost
each town celebrates its own patron saint, a procession
and/or its "feria" (fair).
Pilgrimages
- "Romerías"
Guadix
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San
Antón (Jan. 17)
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Laujar
de Andarax
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Virgen
de Monteagud
(Sept. 14)
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Others
Almería
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Virgen del
Mar (Aug. 22-31)
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Granada
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Holy
Week, May Crosses (Beginning of May),
Corpus Christi
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Guadix
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Feria
(End of August)
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Lanjarón
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Water
and Ham Festival (June 23-24)
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Trevélez
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Ham
Festival (Aug. 15)
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Granada
(Miles 0;
234,320 Inhabitants)
Capital of the last Moorish kingdom and final stronghold:
Al-Andalus. Fantastic view of the Alhambra with the snow
covered Sierra Nevada mountains in the background.
Lanjarón (Miles 28; 3,900 Inhabitants)
Health resort, famous for its mineral water. Church Encarnación; good views over the
landscape from the castle (16th century).
Pampaneira (Miles 42; 300 Inhabitants)
One of the most typical villages of the high Alpujarra
(altitude: 1,058 meters). Narrow streets and the Gothic
church Santa Cruz, with a wooden roof in
Mudéjar style.
Bubión (Miles 45; 360 Inhabitants)
village (1,296 meters high) that has a long tradition in
handicraft. Good panoramic views over the ravine.
Capileira (Miles 48; 550 Inhabitants)
the highest (1,436 meters) of all three villages that
shape Poqueira's ravine. Mudéjar parish; Plaza del
Calvario and the Museum of Popular Art and Customs.
In summer the Veleta summit can be reached on foot (10 Miles; 1-2 days).
Trevélez (Miles 65; 840 Inhabitants)
the highest located village with more than 500 inhabitants of
the peninsula (1,476 meters).
The dry and cold climate is perfect for the production of
the cured ham ("Jamón Serrano").
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Juviles
(Miles 76;
180 Inhabitants)
Church of Santa Maria de Gracia, one of the most beautiful of the granadian Alpujarra.
Mecina Bombarón (Miles 83;
660 Inhabitants)
situated in a dry Mediterranean landscape. Roman bridge over the river Mecina.
Yegen (Miles 86; 440
Inhabitants)
Here lived the English writer Gerald Brenan during the 1920s. Good panoramic views of the
mountains.
Válor (Miles 90; 730 Inhabitants)
Church San José
in Mudéjar style.
Puerto de la Ragua (Miles 106)
Mountain pass at 2,042 meters / 6700 feet. Excellent views of both sides of the Sierra Nevada.
Hiking path to the Chullo peak (2,612 meters / 8570 feet).
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La
Calahorra (Miles
115; 800 Inhabitants)
Arabic foundation, located amidst large groves of almond
trees. Castle palace with Renaissance courts and a
stairway of great artistic value. Church Asunción.
Jeres
del Marquesado (Miles
124;
1,110 Inhabitants)
Charming village with well preserved buildings.
Guadix (Miles 134; 20,400 Inhabitants)
Famous village with cave houses. Many churches, convents
and noble houses in the center close to the cathedral.
Remains of a fortress from the Arabic era.
Granada (Miles 169)
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Variant:
continue from Puerto de la Ragua to the southeast towards Almeria.
Bayarcal (Miles 116; 310 Inhabitants)
located at 1,275 meters / 4,180 Feet and surrounded by an oak
forest. Church San Francisco
Javier in Mudéjar style.
Laujar
de Andarax (Miles
127;
1,800 Inhabitants)
close to the source of the Andarax river and north of the
Sierra de Gádor
The quarters de la Alcazaba and el Calvario,
are in Arabic style, with fountains and noble houses. Mudéjar church Encarnación and town hall in Baroque style.
Ohanes (Miles 141; 780
Inhabitants)
Typical white village with a parochial stone church.
Panoramic views and a breathtaking drop down to:
Alhama de Almería (Miles 157;
3,780 Inhabitants)
Health resort surrounded by three different landscapes:
the Andarax valley. The Sierra de Gádor and the Tabernas
desert.
Los Millares (Miles 162)
Europe’s most important archaeological finds in an
ancient settlement from the copper age (approx 2,700-1,800
BC). Remains of a necropolis.
Almería
(Miles 174; 188,810
Inhabitants)
the calm capital of the province with its outstanding fortified
Cathedral and the Alcazaba (fortress).
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| Routes - La Alpujarra |