With
year round sun this area of Spain is ideal for a trip at any time of the
year. At The Life of Riley we organize day walks, short breaks and
full weeks (see calendar). Walks are based in the Alpujarra, the
coastal mountains of the Sierra Almijara or in the Sierra Nevada range itself. The best of the
gorge walks are at the western end of the Sierra Nevada. Scrambling takes
place on ridges in the Sierra Nevada or the Sierra de Huetor just to the
north of Granada.
ACCOMMODATION, we can arrange a variety of accommodation from three star hotels such as the Hotel Alcadima in Lanjaron , www.hotelalcadima.com , self catering accommodation from 180€ a week for four or budget hotels and hostals such as Las Terrazas De La Alpujarra, www.terrazasalpujarra.com .
LOW LEVEL
walks take you through the best that the Alpujarra and the lower ranges have
to offer. White villages, olive groves, river valleys such as the Rio Verde as
well as some
of the areas most spectacular summits such as Travenque at the western end of the
range. Whilst low level these are not always easy strolls with some ascents
and descents on nearly all these walks
HIGH LEVEL walks
in the Sierra Nevada can reach a height of
3,480 metres at the summit of Mulhacen. These routes are often across rugged
trackless mountains with little evidence of other walkers. Whilst in the
more coastal range of the Sierra Almijarra we don't reach the same height
routes are non the less dramatic and can involve long ascents Walking
in these ranges is a real challenge crossing rugged terrain at high altitude
but when taken at a steady pace even the highest routes can be completed by
reasonably fit walkers. The routes don't just take in the summits some of
the best walks go up to the high passes and cwms such as Siete Lagunas a
spectacular remote mountain valley.
MOUNTAIN
TREKS make use the Refugio Poqueira or Alburge at Hoya de Mora. Both
offer basic accommodation and allow walkers to get acclimatised before trips
in the higher mountains. Starting high and walking between the main
peaks give a fantastic opportunity to experience full days amongst some of
the most dramatic scenery of the Sierra Nevada and do some of the more
remote walking routes particularly those on the northern slopes of the range
which are difficult to access on day trips.
GORGE WALKS follow the steep sided valleys of the area with spectacular sections
of gorge walking. From the most accessible at Monachil where wire bridges
criss cross the river to more adventurous routes in remote areas of the range. The
gorge walks get you right into the heart of the mountains following water
channels and donkey tracks. Gorges can be
either wet (even in summer) or dry and offer walkers fantastic mountain days without the strain of a long climb.
SCRAMBLING
on the high ridges of the Sierra Nevada or the
limestone of the Sierra de Huetor just to the North offers a chance to get hands on rock and reach some of
the most spectacular summits in the area. Routes cover all grades and range
from open faces to the areas very own ''Tower Ridge '' the Tazuelo del
Cartugo. Much of the rock in the Sierra de Huetor is unexplored so there is
even an opportunity to make a first ascent.
WINTER WALKING and SNOWSHOEING, with snow on the mountains from November through to
April and calm sunny days, the Sierra Nevada makes an ideal range for winter
walks and snowshoe trips. With road access to the Granada
ski resort getting to the snowline couldn't be easier. We can step
from car to snow for most of the winter walking season.
MOUNTAIN SKILLS, learn the basics or improve your knowledge of mountain navigation, route planning and safety in the mountains. This can be as a part of a longer holiday or form a course by itself. You might even manage to get to grips with Spanish maps.
MULTI ACTIVITY holidays, the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarra has a vast range of activities on offer from horse riding and mountain biking to more relaxed activities such as yoga retreats and tai chi courses. We can easily arrange to add some of these activities into the holiday for you or for your partner whilst you are out walking.
Click for information on PRICES & ACCOMMODATION
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
As all walkers will realise, just by being in an environment they have an impact upon it. The Life of Riley firmly believes in minimising its environmental impact.