With endless routes and natural landscapes, La Alpujarra is the ideal location to practice rural hiking and at the same time to enjoy the area’s excellent gastronomy. Made up of numerous hamlets and small villages, this mountain range borders Sierra Nevada and offers the possibility of going on many routes either walking or by car.
Amongst the different routes to choose from in La Alpujarra we can recommend the following:
The Poqueira ravine route, departs from Pampaneira and runs through several villages. It can be done either walking or by car.
The Trevelez route is a long route of about 30 km that departs from Pampaneira and runs through the villages of Pitres, Capilerilla, Portugos, Busquistar and Trevelez, with a recommended stop in each one of the villages to discover the beauty that each one holds. They are very peaceful places except for Trevelez, which is rather more commercial and with an atmosphere aimed for the tourism.
The route of La Tahá runs through several villages of La Alpujarra (Pitres, Capilerilla, Mecina, Mecina Fondales, Ferreirola, Altalbeitar). If you leave in the morning, you can have lunch in one of them to try out one of the area’s typical dishes.
The Orgiva route is a 15 km walk, approximately, where we’ll come across small villages along the road.
Perhaps the route that will most capture the visitor’s attention is the medieval route. A route with several different paths with medieval origins that runs through the historical area of Alpujarra.
This route has a total length of 21 km and 4 parts. Along the first and second part, we’ll find sinuous paths of medieval origins that tour the mountain in zigzag, sometimes even carved in the rock.
The third part runs through the royal cattle glen, that for centuries was an important way of communication in this area and the place the Castilian troops camped in the 16th century during their campaign against the Moors.
The last part between Nieles and Juviles crosses an area of cultivations and offers spectacular views. Along the way, we’ll find the remains of the castle that was built by the Arabs in the 9th century and later on destroyed by the Castilian troops.
Advice
Don’t forget to plan a bit of time ahead to stop to eat in one of the villages before continuing your excursion around La Alpujara.
Travelling to La Alpujarra from Malaga is a journey that offers scenic views and a taste of Andalusian culture. You have two main options for your route: you can either follow the coastal road or take the A-7 motorway towards Motril.
If you choose the coastal road, you'll pass through several charming towns along the Costa del Sol. The first of these is Nerja, a popular tourist destination known for its stunning beaches and the famous Nerja Caves. Continuing on, you'll reach Almuñecar, a town rich in history with a beautiful old town and a castle. Further along the coast, you'll come across Salobreña, a whitewashed township clinging to a rocky hillside.
From there, you must take the 175 turnoff towards the A-346 to Orgiva. This route will take you into the heart of La Alpujarra. Be sure to follow the directions that you'll find along the way, as the mountain roads can be tricky to navigate.
If you're not familiar with the area, we can offer a GPS navigator as an extra with your car hire in Malaga. This can be a valuable tool to help you navigate the winding roads of the region. On the map below, you can see the route from Malaga to La Alpujarra.
Remember, the journey is as important as the destination. Take your time, enjoy the scenery, and make the most of your trip to La Alpujarra!
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