Tailor-made walking holidays in the Alpujarra
A bespoke break for friends, couples or your local walking group - flexible, friendly and fun!
A range of accommodation in local guest-houses, family-run hotels or converted farmhouses, (plus: camping on the leafy terraced mountainside of our small-holding for those who enjoy more immersion in the great outdoors) and a range of trips from land-rover picnic outings in the Alpujarra hills, to high mountain hikes in the Sierra Nevada National Park. Coastal trips and visits to Granada are also possible.
We have lived and walked here since the 1980s, and we can use our extensive knowledge of this varied and spectacular region, to help you get the right holiday for you.
We can also help to facilitate self-guided (or partially-guided, as necessary) walks, and provide walking support service, including catering and land-rover access, with advice on the local area and weather etc., and help with booking local accommodation. Browse through the list below to get some ideas of the kinds of itineraries and the wide range of activities that are possible - and look at our scheduled holidays too - and please do email us to let us know what interests you.
Minimum 2 people. Approximate prices: from 360 euros per person (3 days walking and 4 nights B+B). The price will include B+B accommodation, guided walks with picnics, land-rover access as necessary. It doesn't generally include evening meals, as eating out locally is easy and fun, but full board can also be arranged.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY: Fun and memorable R.W. Sept 2015. Thank you for organising a lovely week for us! Everything about it was great, the walks themselves, the accommodation, the picnics and the scenery S.T. March 2015
(For information on our scheduled season of walks, please see our planned walks page.)
Walking for softies! Taking it easy or a great introduction to walking with Bootlace, this is a week at a gentler pace with visits to the mountain villages of the Alpujarra, the magical city of Granada and the coastal nature reserve at Cantarrijan.
Based at the atmospheric Casa de Luz, restored from the original bodega (winery) in the small market town of Pitres, this is a week to enjoy being out and about in the Alpujarra without the challenge of too many steep mountainsides to negotiate on foot. As well as picnic excursions in beautiful mountainous locations with short walks, and a visit to Granada, the programme for the week includes exploring the white villages of the Alpujarra, a visit to local herbal expert and author Julio Donat and a walk through the coastal nature reserve at Cantarijjan near the historic town of Almuñecar.
Walks in the countryside around Ferreirola in the Sierra Nevada National Park. Bespoke walking holidays, available for small group booking with full board (4 or more guests) or for b&b and guided walks (minimum 2 guests).
This hospitable guest house is situated in Ferreirola, a tiny, forgotten hamlet, surely one of the prettiest white villages in all of Andalucia. Walking in the countryside about is a delight, with its network of old paths, ancient irrigation systems and small scale agriculture (man and mule!). This is one of the villages of La Taha, once a thriving Moorish municipality and one of the final redoubts in the time of the last muslim king of Granada, Boabdil. During the time of the Moors it lay on the silk route that wound through the mountains from Granada to the coast, but now it lies almost forgotten, nestling on the side of the Trevelez river valley and protected by a ring of mountains.
Walks in the countryside around Pitres in the Sierra Nevada National Park. Tailor-made walking holidays, available for exclusive booking (4 or more guests) or for b&b and guided walks (minimum 2 guests). Moderate walking
The atmospheric Casa de Luz, in the small market town of Pitres is ideally located for a long weekend break or a full week's itinerary of moderately-paced walks. Also available is a visit to local herbal expert and author Julio Donat and a seaside picnic or meal on the beach with a walk through the coastal nature reserve at Cantarijan near the historic town of Almuñecar.
Herbs, Herbal Remedies and Walking in the Alpujarra
Spain still has a strong tradition of herbal medicine. Up until the late 20th Century every Alpujarra village had its curandera or curandero (healer) specialising in such things as bone-setting, or skin complaints. In our local market the herb and spice stall is still one of the larger ones, with sacks containing a fascinating variety of leaves, seeds, curls of bark and powders, culinary and medicinal, reminiscent of the apothecaries in Moroccan souks today and a reminder of the Moorish culture which is soaked into the bones of the Alpujarra.
What people say - "I am a general practitioner, and was enthralled, educated and deeply impressed by Julio's medicinal knowledge and skill" (C.D. - BA MSc MD CQSW FRCGP FFPHM Professor of Primary Medical Care - participant Herbalism and Walking 2005) "As a herbalist I wholeheartedly recommend this holiday...The diversity of plant life here is fantastic. I could see many of the plants I use in my clinic growing here in their natural habitats... Julio is passionate about plants and so knowledgable" (R.Z. BSc (Hons), Dip M, CEd, MBRCP, KFRP, MH, MRNI, MGNI, MAMH?- 2011) " It was really amazing; great hosts, great walks, wonderful herb walks and workshops; and fantastic accommodations and food." (C.L. Doctor of Veterinary Medecine - 2012) "Julio was so knowledgable and so enthusiastic - it was catching... Sophie's breadth of knowledge and skill in our lotions and potions workshops was truly impressive - I know I've met two very exceptional talents" (F.H. - 2012)
"Julio's passion and incredible knowledge about herbs was infectious - you were never bored - he made it so interesting - there wasn't a plant that he couldn't find some use for. I would recommend this trip to anyone who likes good food, fresh air and an interest in improving their knowledge of herbs and seeing the beautiful Alpujarra mountains to boot!" — J.E., Herbalism and Walking