An opportunity to enjoy seasonal changes with autumn bird life and wild ibex to spot. Routes weave in and out of the deciduous tree-line, under canopies of holm and pyrenean oak and Spanish chestnut, as well as climbing to 2500m, gaining stunning views out over the Mediterranean towards Morocco.

THE WEEK:

• On Saturday evening - arrival with welcome drink, meal and accommodation at family hotel Orgiva.
• On Sunday The route follows the recently created Sulayr long distance path (GR240) which circles the Sierra Nevada range taking in high pastures, woodlands and ancient acequias (Moorish irrigation channels) arriving in the pretty whitewashed village Capileira mid afternoon.
• On Monday we walk up the high valley above Trevelez village. This is an area with no metalled roads or even forestry vehicle tracks where the vaqueros take their herds up to the alpine regions in early summer returning in the autumn when the weather cools. Our route follows the caminos and cañadas (mule paths and drovers' routes) past the tree-line to over 1900m.
• On Tuesday we ascend to Pico Alegas at 2100m gaining views of the glacial cirques that fall from the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada and descend into the high, hidden valley of the Toril with its high pastures and mountain streams.
• On Wednesday there is a free morning to enjoy Capileira with its maze of tiny cobbled streets tumbling down the steep mountainside. Don't miss the chocolate and ice cream factory and the craft shops! At midday we take a picnic with a half-day walk arrive at the Refugio Poqueira at (2500m) where we stay the night.
• On Thursday we descend via the Two Acequias path through high pastures dotted with sheep folds and stone built farm houses with views down the immense Poqueira valley towards the Mediterranean, returning to Capileira, where we spend the night
• Friday is our last day of walking and we take the Sulayr path once more: climbing from Capileira up into the park, gaining stunning views out over the Mediterranean, passing waterfalls at Tajo de Cortes, circling back to the Poqueira valley on the GR7 long distance path and visiting the Berber-style whitewashed village of Pampaneira, with its shops and visitor centre.
• in Orgiva where the last night is spent.

Accommodation: shared twin or double rooms in small family run hotels - single supplement €15 per night.

What's included: accommodation, all food (except Friday supper) including picnics with home made bread and locally sourced products, walks led by guides who live in the Sierra Nevada, transport from our meeting place in Orgiva and throughout the week.

GRADING: MODERATE:- Either fairly easy medium-duration walks or harder, shorter walks. No experience is necessary, but good health and reasonable fitness are important. Some walking at higher altitude and occasional longer/harder days may be involved, but general underfoot conditions will be fair. A walking day is normally five to seven hours, with around 4 hours of actual walking time and daily ascents will likely be around 500m to 800m, perhaps with the odd day ascending around 900m to 1000m.

Arantza is originally from the Basque country, northern Spain. She lived in the UK for many years and speaks excellent english. She settled in this part of Andalucia where she now co-runs yoga retreats and practices as a Thai masseur.

Arantza studied Thai massage with the Asokananda school of Thai Yoga Massage in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In London she studied Hatha yoga with Sabel Thiam until graduating as a yoga teacher with the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre in Kerala, India. She continually deepens her practice through personal study, visits to India, and with world-class teachers such as Angela Farmer, Godfrey Devereux and Sarah Powers - but perhaps the greatest influence is her love of Buddhist meditation.

Her current yoga teaching style is a dynamic form of Hatha yoga. Practice often starts with some pranayama (breathing practices), then seeks to open and invigorate body, mind and spirit in a way that can include and touch all students from beginners to experienced. The focus is more on the quality of awareness rather than just physical ability and Arantza's humour and vitality are an inspiration in themselves!

Walks are led by english-speaking guides Fiona and Paul who have lived in the Alpujarra since the 1980's and have an intimate local knowledge of the paths and by-ways. The itinerary for your group can be designed to suit your needs and desires: from high mountain adventures to gentle strolls through woods and pastures by the acequias which bring water to all corners of the region.

Available are:-

• an hour and a half yoga session every morning. There will be opportunities within the flow of sessions to relax or follow more active and challenging forms.
• a range of walks exploring the Alpujarra throughout the week, adapted to the abilities of the group
• delicious and healthy vegetarian food (special diets catered for) including home-made bread, fresh salads and tasty dips
• hassle-free return transfer from Malaga airport (price depending on size of group)
• an excursion to the coastal nature reserve at Cantarrijan, with an opportunity for a short walk and a meal at a chiringuito or beach restaurant (price of meal not included)
• A Freedom to Move creative dance session on Friday evening (included).

Our routes this week take us on the ancient mule tracks and drovers roads of the Alpujarra, a region still farmed by methods practiced for a thousand years or more and watered by Arab acequias. Small, white washed mountain villages perch like carefully crafted ivory sculptures on the dramatically terraced and green hillsides below the towering snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Early spring flowers and the new buds of pyrenean oak and chestnut are breaking.

Here's the itinerary for this 8 day tour -

• Saturday - arrive in our local market town of Orgiva, welcome drink, tapas, meal and accommodation at family hotel Orgiva
• Sunday - easy/moderate - 4x4 transfer to start of walk above the village of Canar. We pass by the Tibetan Retreat Centre O Sel Ling - following a beautiful stretch of the Sulayr long distance path GR240, taking us through holm and pyrenean oak woods, along ancient acequias and crossing the impressive valley of the Poqueira in our descent to white village of Pampaneira (1060m/3477ft). Opportunity here to visit the craft shops and a typical bodega for tasting of wine and local delicacies. Transfer from here to accommodation in Capileira, one of the other three villages of the Poqueira Gorge.
• Monday - moderate walk from Capileira we take the GR7 long distance walking path from Bubion, climbing via the old camino real over the high ridge out of the Poqueira valley into the municipality of La Taha. Enjoying impressive views out over the Contraviesa mountains to the Mediterranean we follow the winding paths through holm and chestnut woods, threading our way through the network of acequias and pools that keep this high arable land fresh and green. We pass through the village of Portugos and arrive in the small market town of Pitres with its Mudejar style church and small bars set around the square - transfer back to Capileira.
• Tuesday - easy/moderate walk around the Cebadilla circuit (max/min heights 1610 and 1179m, distance 7.5km) - picnic by the river
• Wednesday - free day
• Thursday - moderate walk - transfer to Trevelez village, circular walk from here
• Friday - moderate - transfer to Mecina Fondales - descend to cross the river over the Roman bridge and head west on the GR passing through the land of famous local author Chris Stewart. Pick up in the valley where the Guadalfe and Poqueira rivers meet. Transfer to Orgiva - night here
• Saturday - depart

Accommodation: shared twin or double rooms in small family run hotels - single supplement €15 per night.

What's included: accommodation, all food (except Friday supper) including picnics with home made bread and locally sourced products, walks led by guides who live in the Sierra Nevada, transport from our meeting place in Orgiva and throughout the week.

GRADING: Moderate:- Relatively easy/moderate medium-duration walks. Remembering this is a mountainous area, some hill-walking experience is useful but not necessary - but good health and reasonable fitness are important. General underfoot conditions will be fair with some steep, stoney or muddy paths. A walking day is normally five to seven hours, with around 4 hours of actual walking time over around 12km. Ascents can be up to 500m.

Walk itineraries are subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Our routes this week take in the peace of high meadows and pastures watered by Arab acequias, as well as the local colour of the mountain villages. It's a great time for spring flowers and the new leaves of pyrenean oak and chestnut give shade and freshness to hillside walks. The air is scented everywhere with the different varieties of broom and mountain herbs found in the Sierra Nevada. We see shepherds with their flocks grazing in mountain pastures and pass sheepfolds of ewes and lambs, nanny goats and kids.

Here's the itinerary for this 8 day tour -

• Saturday 4/5/19 - arrive in our local market town of Orgiva, welcome drink, tapas, meal and accommodation at family hotel Orgiva
• Sunday 5/5/19 - easy/moderate - 4x4 transfer to start of walk at 1700m above the village of Canar. We pass by the Tibetan Retreat Centre O Sel Ling - following a beautiful stretch of the Sulayr long distance path GR240, taking us through holm and pyrenean oak woods, along ancient acequias and crossing the impressive valley of the Poqueira in our descent to white village of Pampaneira (1060m/3477ft). Opportunity here to visit the craft shops and a typical bodega for tasting of wine and local delicacies. Transfer from here to accommodation in Capileira
• Monday 6/5/19 - moderate walk with some steep ascents - from Tajo Angel above Capileira up into the National Park via the park barrier at Hoya Portillo (2100m) - following this high stretch of the Sulayr and circling down to the pools and waterfalls of Tajo Cortes.
• Tuesday 7/5/19 - easy/moderate walk around the Cebadilla circuit (max/min heights 1610 and 1179m, distance 7.5km) - picnic by the river
• Wednesday 8/5/19 - free day
• Thursday 9/5/19 - moderate - from Capileira we take the GR7 long distance walking path from Bubion, climbing over the high ridge out of the Poqueira valley into the municipality of La Taha. With impressive views out over the Contraviesa mountains to the Mediterranean we follow the winding paths through holm and chestnut woods, threading our way through the network of acequias and pools that keep this high arable land fresh and green. We pass through the village of Portugos and arrive in the small market town of Pitres with its Mudejar style church and small bars set around the square - transfer back to Capileira
• Friday 10/5/19 - moderate - transfer to the Park barrier at Hoya Portillo - we climb through shady woodland up above the tree line and take to up to Piedras Blancas/Mirador Trevelez. Return to Hoya P 4x4 to Capileira - transfer to Orgiva - night here
• Saturday 11/5/19- depart

Accommodation: shared twin or double rooms in small family run hotels - single supplement €15 per night.

What's included: accommodation, all food (except Friday supper) including picnics with home made bread and locally sourced products, walks led by guides who live in the Sierra Nevada, transport from our meeting place in Orgiva and throughout the week.

GRADING: MODERATE:- Either fairly easy medium-duration walks or harder, shorter walks. No experience is necessary, but good health and reasonable fitness are important. Some walking at higher altitude and occasional longer/harder days may be involved, but general underfoot conditions will be fair. A walking day is normally five to seven hours, with around 4 hours of actual walking time and daily ascents will likely be around 500m to 800m, perhaps with the odd day ascending around 900m to 1000m.

Transport - free pickups by arrangement from our meeting place in Orgiva or Pitres or from the relevant bus stops. Transfers from Malaga, Almeria or Granada airports - there is a regular Saturday transfer from Malaga run by our sister company Cortijo Romero which walkers can buy into and book through Bootlace. On other days or from Granada or Almeria airports a private taxi with english speaking driver can be booked also through Bootlace. We ill need your flight details for any of these options. Alternatively there is an efficient modern coach service in Spain - link to ALSA What's included in our scheduled weeks – all walks (guided), with landrover access where necessary, plentiful shared picnics with home made bread, our garden salads and treats (no squashy packed sandwiches here!), all meals except usually on the last evening, all accommodation (price based on sharing twin room except at Refugio Poqueira. Limited availability of single rooms – supplement applicable depending on accommodation). GRADING Exodus Leisurely Experience is not necessary; anyone fit and healthy enough to complete a weekend walk can manage a Leisurely, Level 1 departure. Walks are often optional. Trails are seldom flat, so expect a reasonable amount of ascent and descent. You would normally walk for two to five hours during the day and daily ascents will likely be around 300m to 500m, perhaps with the odd day ascending around 600m. Moderate, Level 3 departures are either fairly easy medium-duration walks or harder, shorter walks. No experience is necessary, but good health and reasonable fitness are important. Some walking at higher altitude and occasional longer/harder days may be involved, but general underfoot conditions will be fair. A walking day is normally five to seven hours and daily ascents will likely be around 500m to 800m, perhaps with the odd day ascending around 900m to 1000m. Challenging Fitness is important at this grade, which compares to extended walking in mountainous terrain such as the Lakes or Snowdonia. High altitudes, climate and remoteness can also play a part. Previous trekking experience is desirable, but not vital if you are confident of your physical condition. Walking days are usually between six and eight hours, although they may be longer for passes or peaks. Daily ascents will likely be around 900m to 1000m, perhaps with the odd day ascending around 1100m to 1200m.

This is an 8 day Itinerary offering:-

• A 5 day trek – easy/moderate, with high quality wild camping, including camel support, following the beautiful coastline south of Essaouira, with long sandy beaches, rocky inlets, small scale rural agriculture, marabout shrines, and abundant wild flowers
• Plenty of time to explore and enjoy Essaouira with its excellent climate, beaches, lively fishing port and to hone your bargaining skills in the relatively quiet souks
• An opportunity to visit the bustling city of Marrakech with its labyrinth of souks, the vibrant Jemaa el-Fna Square, the Ben Youssef Medersa and the tranquil Majorelle Gardens which house the magnificent Islamic art collection of Pierre Berge and Yves Saint Laurent.
• Nights in two traditional riads, in the heart of the Essaouira medina within the old town walls and in Marrakech medina close to the Royal Palace

To find out more contact us using the form at the bottom of the page

What people say about our Morocco trips - I love the African continent. You organized it perfectly for me and I got to see and do exactly what I wanted R.G. Saghro trek 2019. Thank you very much for the caring, guiding hands you gave to our walking and camping on the trek. You and Mohamed did wonders with bringing us all together as a group and making the trek so very enjoyable, given some of us not being young and agile. S.G. Morocco Atlantic Coast Trek 2015. What a great holiday - it was a privilege to share it with you. C.B. Morocco Atlantic Coast trek 2013. Our Moroccan guides were excellent, and the tone – curiosity, flexibility, personal responsibility, openness, mutual kindness - was set by Paul and Fiona. I had a really good time J.A. 2012. Thank you for a wonderful trek in Morocco. Good food, music, camp fires, fab walking, good company, beautiful landscape - what more can life offer? A.N. 2013. A fabulous experience … it was a brilliant holiday! C.B. 2016

More information about Morocco - Lonely Planet and Morocco Forum Trip Advisor plus a fascinating current affairs programme - BBC Heart and Soul: Morocco and above is a video of last year's trek:

This will be the fourth time that Bootlace has been drawn back to this fascinating region where terraces of saffron intermingle with subsistence crops right up into the heights, topped only by the dramatic volcanic peaks of the range, at over 3000m. As well as an option to get to the peak at 3304m (10,840ft), we pass through the berber villages sheltering in lushly irrigated valley bottoms or perching on dramatic outcrops close to their ancient fortified granaries – agadirs – which once guarded precious gold, silver and saffron. The 9 day itinerary offers:-

• A night in a stylishly modernised desert kasbah close to the World Heritage site of the fortified city of Ait Benhaddou
• A night at a beautiful and tranquil riad near the famous Jemaa el-Fna Square in the bustling city of Marrakech
• A 7 day trek with local guides and muleteers, including high quality wild camping and all food included, in the Jebl Siroua, the saffron-growing region of the Anti Atlas mountains. (Trek grading moderate to strenuous).
• A chance to visit the remote Berber villages of this area with their carpet making and spectacular agadirs (fortified granaries).
• Time to explore the fascinating city of Marrakech with its labyrinth of souks, the vibrant Jemaa el-Fna Square, the Ben Youssef Medersa and the tranquil Majorelle Gardens which house the magnificent Islamic art collection of Pierre Berge and Yves Saint Laurent

What people say - Our Moroccan guides were excellent, and the tone – curiosity, flexibility, personal responsibility, openness, mutual kindness - was set by Paul and Fiona. I had a really good time J.A. 2012. Thank you for a great trip, I thoroughly enjoyed it, great people, great team, good food and beautiful scenery. J.W. 2016

To find out more just email us using the contact form below

This 10 day adventure for walkers and non-walkers alike offers -

• Nights in Ouirgane Eco Lodge in the foothills of the High Atlas, a desert kasbah, a riad in old medina of the fabled city of Marrakech, star-gazing in a luxury camp amongst the apricot coloured dunes of Erg Chebbi and family run auberges.
• Visits to heritage sites Tinmel Mosque, and the fortified city of Ait Benhaddou which lies on the ancient caravan route from Timbuktu - a striking example and perfect synthesis of the original earthen architecture of the pre-Saharan regions of Morocco (for more, with lots of photos as well as information we highly recommend - http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/444).
• An optional whole day walk and shorter walks of varied length through the small scale agriculture and dramatic gorges of the foothills of the High Atlas
• Heart warming Berber hospitality touring amongst the stunning scenery and dramatic highways of Morocco, south from Marrakech
• Visits to cooperatives of local saffron growers, a herbalist apothecary and local souks.
• Camel riding in the Sahara
• Plenty of time to explore the magical city of Marrakech, museums, gardens, souks and the bustling Jemaa Al-Fna Square, market by day and foodery by night

To find out more contact us using the form at the bottom of the page

What people say about our Morocco trips - I love the African continent. You organized it perfectly for me and I got to see and do exactly what I wanted R.G. Saghro trek 2019. Thank you very much for the caring, guiding hands you gave to our walking and camping on the trek. You and Mohamed did wonders with bringing us all together as a group and making the trek so very enjoyable, given some of us not being young and agile. S.G. Morocco Atlantic Coast Trek 2015. What a great holiday - it was a privilege to share it with you. C.B. Morocco Atlantic Coast trek 2013. Our Moroccan guides were excellent, and the tone – curiosity, flexibility, personal responsibility, openness, mutual kindness - was set by Paul and Fiona. I had a really good time J.A. 2012. Thank you for a wonderful trek in Morocco. Good food, music, camp fires, fab walking, good company, beautiful landscape - what more can life offer? A.N. 2013. A fabulous experience … it was a brilliant holiday! C.B. 2016

The best time to walk the Jbel Saghro is during the winter and spring, when snow shrouds the distant high peaks of the Atlas to the north. We will traverse the Saghro region through its jumble of volcanic peaks, rocky plateaux, deep gorges, small hamlets and villages. Here life goes on much as it has for millenia, with small-scale subsistence agriculture: mud-walled kasbahs guard verdant oases of date palms, figs and orange trees and the eye is constantly struck by the sharp transition of colour from basalt rocks to the emerald green of traditional Berber agriculture. Hidden away deep in the massif, we find the occasional black tents of the nomadic Ait Atta tribe, pitched among forests of volcanic pillars and sheer canyons sheltering springs and pools of clear water.

Our route traverses the massif of the Saghro, winding along ancient mule tracks past tiny villages and Ait Atta nomad encampments, through dramatic canyons, cresting mountain passes offering stunning views of the distant snow-capped Atlas mountains to the north and the great Sahara to the south.

The 9 day itinerary offers:-

• A night in the beautiful and tranquil Riad El Borj in the old medina of Marrakech, close to the fabled and lively Jemaa El-Fna square with its food stalls, henna painters, snake charmers, story-tellers, astrologers and musicians.
• A night in a stylishly modernised desert kasbah close to the fortified city of Ait Benhaddou..
• 6 days trekking with full porterage, local guides and muleteers, in the volcanic Jbel Saghro region on the fringes of the Sahara. Our accommodation a mixture of wild camping and typical local family-run gîtes. (Trek grading: moderate with highest altitude 2500m).
• A chance to visit the remote Berber settlements and nomad camps of the region with the benefit of experienced local guides.
• A visit to the fortified city of Ait Benhaddou, a World Heritage site, which lies on the ancient caravan route from Timbuktu - a striking example of the original earthen architecture of southern Morocco (for more see http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/444).

GRADING: MODERATE:- Either fairly easy medium-duration walks or harder, shorter walks. No experience is necessary, but good health and reasonable fitness are important. Some walking at higher altitude and occasional longer/harder days may be involved, but general underfoot conditions will be fair. A walking day is normally five to seven hours, with around 4-5 hours of actual walking time and daily ascents will likely be around 500m to 800m, perhaps with the odd day ascending around 900m to 1000m.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY: A great holiday and the six nights camping meant that we were staying in the most beautiful places. One night we were surrounded by the most fantastic rock formations, which looked spectacular in the sunset. And the starry skies were amazing. We had a really great support team of Berbers with their mules. Every evening we arrived in camp, the tents were up - mint tea and fresh cake .... yummy evening three-course meals – pancakes on Shrove Tuesday – how did they know? And during the day we arrived at quiet shady places for lunch where delicious picnics were waiting. S.M. 2014. I can highly recommend Bootlace run by Fiona and Paul and their organisation of the Morocco trips...even I managed the peak ... much to their astonishment and my delight L.C. Morocco 2012 The guides and the muleteers were just magic and couldn't have been more helpful or friendly J.B. Morocco 2013 The organisation/food etc was brilliant. I really felt I got a taste, nay experience of the peoples, their culture and their country - and I just loved all the 'geographies' K.B. 2014. The other members of the party were interesting and fun and shared a great appreciation of all we experienced R.E. 2012 as ever trekking with Fi and Paul is like walking with good friends (well I guess it is now!) I have to say, as a solo woman traveler, I wouldn't have dared Morocco without them! P.B 2013

For further information on this holiday contact us using the form below (don't forget the security number) or email us - bootlaceholidaysATgmail.com. More information about Morocco - Lonely Planet and Morocco Forum Trip Advisor plus a fascinating current affairs programme - BBC Heart and Soul: Morocco

A photographic workshop is a great opportunity to benefit your photographic training whether you are working in colour or mono, as a beginner or an experienced photographer.

This workshop is part of a series developed by Andy to help enhance photographic practice, assisting learning, growth and encouraging participants to flourish as creative photographers. The workshop offers technical, composition and post-processing skills and knowledge enhancement.

The general atmosphere of Andy's workshops are friendly, relaxed and informative. He'll be around at all times to offer photographic guidance and assistance. The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 7, so you can soak up all the skills and knowledge that you need.

For more information about Andy and for booking - The Craft of Photographic Seeing Workshop

Almería province is notable for its desert ecology, the beautiful coastline of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park and for the historic city itself. The Tabernas area has been exploited by the film industry as settings for music videos, films such as Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Westerns and desert epics such as recently filmed Exodus. Cabo de Gata Natural Park with its stunning volcanic geology, beautiful beaches and protected marine-terrestrial reserve is a haven for walkers and a great place to spot migratory birds such as rollers and bee-eaters. The historic port of Almería was founded over a thousand years ago by the Caliphate of Cordoba to strengthen sea defences on the Mediterranean coast and is dominated by its Alcázaba (Moorish fortress), second only to the Alhambra of Granada in size.

What's included – transport throughout week, guided walks, accommodation in twin or double rooms (single supplement €15pp per night, limited availability), picnics and evening meals, except last night.

A range of accommodation in local guest-houses and family-run hotels or converted farmhouses and a range of trips from land-rover picnic outings in the Alpujarra to high mountain hikes in the Sierra Nevada National Park. Please email us to let us know what you'd like!

(The guide price for these walks doesn't include evening meals, as eating out locally is easy and fun, but full board can also be arranged).

Please see our pages on Casa Ana, Herbalism and Walking in the Alpujarra and Casa de Luz and Dynamic Yoga and Walking for more ideas.

From 4 days to a week-long tour following the Sulayr long-distance path (GR 240) with options to walk between the stunning Rincon de Nigüelas above the Padul valley to Spain's highest village Trevelez, including opportunities to reach Pico Alegas at 2700m with its impressive views of the cirque of the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada, (not for self-guided option) with over-night accommodation in the spa town of Lanjaron, the white villages of Capileira and Trevelez and at a converted farmhouse high within the National Park (not for self-guided option).

The name Sulayr meaning the Mountain of the Sun comes from the Berber Arabs who lived in the region for nearly a thousand years and whose passing has left an indelible print on this striking mountain range. Like their cousins in the Moroccan Atlas these folk inhabited the steep hillsides wherever it was possible to raise their crops and herds. Today we can still see the great legacy they left behind - the network of acequias or irrigation channels which they created even as high as 3000 metres amongst the peaks of the Sierra Nevada. They finally left the Alpujarra in 1571, but as we walk we find their ancient terraces and the threshing circles dotting the mountainsides and follow the same caminos and winding streets among the flat roofed houses of the villages and hamlets of the Alpujarra.

The GR 240 runs for over 300km encircling the Sierra Nevada between 1800m and 2000m - sometimes dropping down to visit one of the white villages of the region and sometimes climbing higher into the alpine zone. The week has been carefully designed as an introduction to this new long-distance walking route which was inaugurated in 2007. With your accommodation, and transport to access the Sulayr where necessary, plus guides who live in and know the area intimately you can relax and enjoy this week on the Mountain of the Sun!

Our self-guided option for this route includes detailed maps and instructions, delicious and plentiful picnic fare including home-baked bread and locally grown salads, a range of over-night B&B accommodation booked for you to suit your pocket, baggage transported ahead and emergency pick-you-up service.

Casa de Luz is a large Moorish-style guest house of great character on the edge of Pitres. Lovingly restored with some alterations and modernisations it preserves the atmosphere of a typical Alpujarra home combined with modern comfort and convenience.

Pitres is a perfect base for exploring the Alpujarra Alta Granadino - just around the corner from the Poqueira gorge on the west, with its three striking villages perched on the side of the river ravine, and the Trevelez valley on the east.

What people say about Strolls and Siestas week: As a keen walker it was great to take it easy and to bring my friend (who isn't a keen walker!) to show her the Alpujarra which I love! We had a chilled time - thanks Paul and Fi!(P.D.) I loved the seaside walk and lunch on the beach best! (J.M.) Arrived home properly refreshed, Strolls and Siestas hit the spot for me. (C.G.) Thinking back to the coastal walk, to the accommodation, the lovely meals, to the forest walk on the first day, the Alhambra, all just so relaxing and great company too.... goes without saying (F.M.)

This is a great introduction to walking in the mountainous Alpujarra region and a perennial favourite with participants. Enjoy a week of varied hikes in good company, exploring this beautiful and inspiring region where winter is like April in England and the autumn arrives with fruits to gather, trees ablaze with gorgeous colours and glowing sunsets. (In October average temperatures are still in the twenties). The Alpujarra, perched on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, is still criss-crossed by a network of mule paths, ancient drovers roads and old Moorish silk routes which wind through the valleys and mountains. Amongst the wooded hillsides is a still-functioning system of arab acequias (irrigation channels) which waters terraces of olive, sweet chestnut and walnut trees. The whitewashed mountain villages, with their mazes of tiny streets and covered alleys give testament to the Berber influence. You will be accompanied by guides who live here and have an intimate knowledge of the region

Daily walks will vary in length and effort required, but the emphasis is on relaxation and enjoyment. Massages and other complementary treatments are available from the Cortijo Romero practitioners. Easter week brings mild weather and fresh spring growth in the fields and village gardens. Step into Summer at the end of May takes us higher into the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains following in the steps of the shepherds who bring their flocks up into the cooler air and the peace of high meadows and pastures. Autumn Walking in October brings warm, bright light, and fruits and nuts to gather. Not forgetting a visit to the sea-side nature reserve and an optional trip to Granada to visit the Alhambra or the superb Arab Hammam - oh, and the fabulous vegetarian cuisine offered by the Cortijo Romero kitchen!

WHAT PEOPLE SAY: "Both Paul and Fiona were excellent walk leaders. Despite not being an experienced trekker I felt totally at ease walking with them, their knowledge of the walks/surrounding area was exceptional. I appreciated their calm and relaxed manner as well as providing their advice/guidance to less able walkers !" (W.R. Winter Walking 2019). "Paul and Fiona were adept at managing a group of walkers with differing levels of fitness. Their local knowledge is excellent, and this enhanced all the expeditions..." (S.B. Easter Walking 2019) "fantastic, very knowledgeable about the area and the walks " (A.R. Easter Walking 2019)

FOR MORE INFORMATION Courses at Cortijo Romero

AND FOR BOOKING, contact the team at Cortijo Romero bookings

TO FIND CORTIJO ROMERO go HERE

June is absolutely the the best time of year for walking in the high Sierra Nevada with abundant wild flowers and wild-life. The fragile alpine gentian and fritillary carpet the short-cropped grass around the tarns and even higher on the rocky shale we come across tiny pansies and the rarer mulhacen poppy. This is also a great opportunity to observe the wild ibex which by the end of May have separated into large groups of males and smaller family groups of females with young - the Sierra Nevada National Park is home to the highest concentration of Spanish Ibex in Europe.

The beginning of this week provides time to acclimatise to the altitude - bear in mind that at the Refugio Poqueira we'll spend two nights sleeping at 2,500m - as well as becoming accustomed to the warmer weather. By Wednesday we'll have our legs in high mountain ratio ready for the ascent to the peak on Thursday! The walks are no longer than 16km/10 miles daily, but expect steep ascents and descents of up to 1000m on some days.

View looking N.W. from the peak, 21st June 2018

THE WEEK: the first few days will be spent exploring the Cañar and Soportujar ridges ranging as high as 2700m (with a shorter walk on the first day, Sunday). Our accommodation will be at family hotels in Orgiva and in the second highest village in Spain - Capileira. Wednesday morning brings free time here in Capileira, followed by picnic and an afternoon walk into the National Park to the Refugio Poqueira where we spend the night. The following day, in a full day's walk we ascend to the peak and return to the Refuge for Thursday night. On Friday we descend to Capileira for lunch, taking a vehicle transfer in the afternoon to Orgiva where we spend the last night.

What's included: accommodation, all food (except Friday supper), walks led by guides who live in the Sierra Nevada, transport from our meeting place in Orgiva and throughout the week.

The Refugio Poqueira is a large mountain refuge similar to an Alpine hut. Situated deep within the Sierra Nevada National Park, at an altitude of 2.500m, a thousand metres directly below the highest peak, Mulhacen, the Refugio provides up to 90 beds for walkers and mountaineers. The refuge staff caters for breakfast and hot evening meal (plentiful!), please let us know well in advance whether you require a strict vegetarian diet for these two days. All these meals and picnics are included in the price of the holiday.

The Refugio is manned all year round with a large dining-room (including a well-stocked bar), dormitory accommodation (hot showers are usually available). There's no need to carry sleeping bags as blankets are supplied, disposable sheets can be bought or you can bring your own sleeping bag sheet-liner (recommended). For more information contact us using the form below.

What people say:- Standing at the peak of the Mulhacen with the crag martins circling through the clouds is burned in my memory. The sense of achievement has stood me in good stead and made me more able for other more personal challenges M.U. - The top of the Sierra Nevada felt like the top of the world. We got there steadily, so it only dawned on me when we were actually at the top what a real achievement it was. And it really was. Our guides had walked me through both physical and mental aches and pains and maybe even sense of limitation. I went home elated and took on the world! S.B. - Challenging at times, but well thought out for maximum pleasure - paced very well for all of our group J.K. - A fabulous week with wonderful people E.M.

This is a 10 day itinerary offering:-

• 8 days of trekking accompanied by local guides and camel support, in the Jebl Bani and the impressive dunes of Chigaga, M'Hamid and Oulad Edriss (Trek grading moderate to strenuous).
• A night in a stylishly modernised desert kasbah with moroccan-french fusion evening meal
• A night a beautiful and tranquil riad in the old medina of Marrakech, close to the fabled and lively Jemaa El-Fna square with its food stalls, henna painters, snake charmers, story-tellers, astrologers and musicians.
• A night at a desert auberge at the edge of the great Sahara
• A visit to the fortified city and World Heritage site, Ait Benhaddou, which lies on the ancient caravan route from Timbuktu more on Ait Ben Haddou from UNESCO
• Plenty of time to explore the fascinating city of Marrakech with its labyrinth of souks, the vibrant Jemaa el-Fna Square, the Ben Youssef Medersa and the tranquil Majorelle Gardens which house the magnificent Islamic art collection of Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent.

What people say - Our Moroccan guides were excellent, and the tone – curiosity, flexibility, personal responsibility, openness, mutual kindness - was set by Paul and Fiona. I had a really good time J.A. 2012. Thank you for a great trip, I thoroughly enjoyed it, great people, great team, good food and beautiful scenery. J.W. 2016

To find out more contact us using the form at the bottom of the page

With visits to heritage sites, plus time for exploring typical towns and villages, this 12 day adventure for walkers and non-walkers alike offers:-

• Nights in Ouirgane Eco Lodge in the foothills of the High Atlas, the lovely Maison Anglaise in Taroudant and auberge in Tafraoute, plus two beautiful riads in the medinas of Essaouira and the fabled city of Marrakech.
• Heart warming Berber hospitality touring amongst the stunning scenery and dramatic highways of Morocco, south and west from Marrakech.
• Visits to heritage sites Tinmel Mosque, the impressive Châpeau de Napoléon, the bizarrely beautiful Pierres Bleues, work of Belgian artist Jean Verame and to cooperatives of local saffron growers and argan oil producers.
• Plenty of time to explore the laid back town of Essaouira with its winding alleys filled with artisan craft workshops, local argan oil products and exquisite marquetry, made from the fragrant local thuya wood and its lively and photogenic fishing port. Plus the magical and bustling city of Marrakech with its labyrinth of souks, the vibrant Jemaa el-Fna Square, the tranquil Majorelle Gardens which house the magnificent Islamic art collection of Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent and the Ben Yusef Madrassa.
• An optional whole day walk and shorter walks of varied length through the small scale agriculture of the foothills of the High Atlas, the rocky splendour of the Anti Atlas and the sweeping sandy beaches and rocky inlets of the Atlantic coast south of Essaouira.

To find out more contact us using the form at the bottom of the page

What people say about our Morocco trips - I love the African continent. You organized it perfectly for me and I got to see and do exactly what I wanted R.G. Saghro trek 2019. Thank you very much for the caring, guiding hands you gave to our walking and camping on the trek. You and Mohamed did wonders with bringing us all together as a group and making the trek so very enjoyable, given some of us not being young and agile. S.G. Morocco Atlantic Coast Trek 2015. What a great holiday - it was a privilege to share it with you. C.B. Morocco Atlantic Coast trek 2013. Our Moroccan guides were excellent, and the tone – curiosity, flexibility, personal responsibility, openness, mutual kindness - was set by Paul and Fiona. I had a really good time J.A. 2012. Thank you for a wonderful trek in Morocco. Good food, music, camp fires, fab walking, good company, beautiful landscape - what more can life offer? A.N. 2013. A fabulous experience … it was a brilliant holiday! C.B. 2016

The area now enjoys the highest level of environmental protection being within the National Park. The village is a haven of tranquillity: there are only about 40 residents and most of the streets, originally designed for mules are too narrow to admit cars. In the centre of the village is a large walled orchard with mature apple, pear, persimmon, walnut and olive trees. Jasmine and roses clamber over ancient garden walls. A sixteenth century church, a fuente (spring) for drinking water and the old village wash-house surround the plaza. Ferreirola's best kept secret is its water. Hidden in the woods just outside the village is a little spring which gives naturally gaseous healing water, rich in minerals and delicious to drink on hot summer days.

Casa Ana is a beautifully restored, rambling 400-year-old country house, built of stone, rammed earth and solid chestnut beams, in the Moorish mountain style of centuries past.

The accommodation is comfortable and attractive, with a variety of twin, double and single bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, a sitting/dining room with cosy wood stove, underfloor central heating throughout, a private garden, a large roof terrace which faces the rising sun and four secluded garden terraces with magnificent views of the mountains and the river valley. Casa Ana caters for groups of up to 12 people and its magnificent location makes it the perfect place for being in nature - ideal for a Bootlace Walking Holiday!

What people say: - An idyllic place, tucked away in a tiny village in the heart of the Alpujarras. If you want peace and quiet and breath-takingly dramatic mountain scenery, this is the place for you. We had a fantastic few days' walking. S.U. 2007.
- Fiercely beautiful, sky-scraping mountains plummet to deep gorges zigzagged by ancient mule paths; tiny, scattered Alpujarran villages - the Moors' legacy to walkers - cling by their fingernails to the Sierra Nevada's hillsides. Ferreirola is one such pretty cluster, with a church, fountain, tranquillity and walking trails - Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay

Example of a week's itinerary - Saturday - arrive, settle in, supper with welcome drink. Sunday - the first day's walk is a gentler, introductory day walk to allow the group to get used to the terrain, usually an orientation walk in the La Taha area around Ferreirola. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday there there are walks of varied length ranging as far as Trevelez and the Poqueira valleys, including Tajo Cortes waterfalls above Pitres, the Tibetan Retreat Centre at Oselling, the Roman bridge below Mecina Fondales, plus visits to Pampaneira with free tasting of local cheese and wines in the Bodega/delicatessen and also a visit with herbalist Julio Donat. On Wednesday there is an opportunity for a short walk within the seaside nature reserve at Cantarrijan, with a meal at a chiringuito (beach restaurant - cost of meal not included in price). Saturday - departure.

Casa de Luz is a large Moorish-style guest house of great character on the edge of Pitres. Lovingly restored with some alterations and modernisations it preserves the atmosphere of a typical Alpujarra home combined with modern comfort and convenience.

Pitres is a perfect base for exploring the Alpujarra Alta Granadino - just around the corner from the Poqueira gorge on the west, with its three striking villages perched on the side of the river ravine, and the Trevelez valley on the east.

Julio Donat has lived for over two decades in his typical Alpujarran cortijo, La Palmera, surrounded by lush green gardens. He has brought up his children in this wonderful environment, and devoted his working life to the study, cultivation and use of medicinal plants. In the valley of Padre Eterno, hidden in the heart of the Alpujarra, his home is named after the palm tree beside the house. He has chosen a simple and healthy lifestyle; growing, gathering and preserving herbs, making unguents and selling products in local markets and shops. He owns no car; to reach his home you follow the old camino down a steeply terraced hillside, or find the path beside one of the three Moorish acequias which water our fertile valley.

Sophie Paulding grew up in the Alpujarra, completing her higher education and degree studies in the UK. In 2006 she graduated from Middlesex University with a BSc (First Class Hons) in Herbal Medicine and she has now returned to the area to practice her skill. Their enthusiasm, expertise, skill and wide local knowledge will be shared with you during this week of herbalism and walking in the Alpujarra, Sierra Nevada.

If you'd like more information please contact us using the form below and to whet your appetite, some fun information about the humble purslane:- Stop! It's not just a weed!

Our self-guided routes are tailor-made to suit your pace, from High Mountain adventures, to easy strolls bringing you to stunning picnic sites. Included are detailed maps and instructions, delicious and plentiful picnic fare including home-baked bread and locally grown salads, a range of over-night B&B accommodation to suit your pocket and booked for you, baggage transported ahead and emergency pick-you-up service.

What people say - "Doing it with Bootlace was perfect: independence and freedom, combined with being looked after 100%." (C.G. May 2018). "Everything about the week was great, the walks themselves, the accommodation, the picnics and the scenery", "the walks were very well described and very intuitive", (P.T. April 2014), "The week was exactly what I wanted - a level of independence without the hassle of finding the route and places to stay along the way." "A very enjoyable week. There were surprises each day, which made the time exciting and interesting. (M.T. Sept 2013). "Pre-planning was effortless" (C.G. May 2018)

Here are some thoughts from a self guided walker from our blog - self guided walking