WALKING "SOUTH FROM GRANADA"

This vast view of mountains, valleys, villages and distant sea lay spread out like an illustration of the features of the world in a child's geography book The English writer Gerald Brenan was perhaps Andalusia's last romantic traveller, and "South from Granada" is one of his best known works. It deals with the landscapes and way of life in and around the Alpujarra village that was his home: Yegen. In the spirit of the writer, and with the unmistakable backdrop of one of the region's most emblematic villages, you will make a thoroughly active visit to this part of the Alpujarra. Located on the southeastern foothills of Sierra Nevada, below the San Juan peak (2,786m) and flanked by the Mecina and Valor rivers, Yegen is a high, peaceful village (at 1,000m) with mild weather. It lies between the provinces of Granada and Almería, enjoying spectacular views and allowing us to imagine the sea that lies hidden behind the Contraviesa mountains to the south. Here you will experience two or three days of true communion with the landscapes, peoples and trails of the Alpujarra.
Live the Journey: Alone, with family or friends, you will do two hikes on this tour: One is long, with wonderful views of the high Sierra, and the other is shorter, but packed with delightful spots amidst cultivated land and untouched landscapes that will let you get to know this village from every angle. Furthermore, your accommodation there will make you feel truly at home and you will sample delicious cooking. There is also the chance to visit a ham curer in Mecina Bombarón and peruse the photographs of 'El Dinamarca', a devoted lover of this village for the last 50 years.

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CAZORLA AND SEGURA MOUNTAINS

The Úbeda and Baeza ridge is a wonderful natural viewpoint. From there you can make out, to the north, a large mountain range. These mountains cover more than 2,000 square kilometres and together form the European Union's largest Nature Reserve. They are made up of an orographic labyrinth of peaks, valleys, canyons, gorges, plateaus and they are home to the sources of a plethora of rivers and streams including the great Guadalquivir, that are in turn responsible for carving out these varied, picturesque landscapes.

We head straight into the heart of these mountains to begin out this journey to then, transfer to the Segura Mountains, and a village called Pontones. From here we follow the course of the Segura River to explore a good portion of these mountains. While you walk or rest, perhaps under the watchful eye of mountain goats, eagles or sparrowhawks, you may well be able to see plants unique to the area like the Cazorla violet or geranium. As you discover villages, peaks and streams, you will get to know the real treasure of these mountains.

For 500 years, these mountain forests formed part of Hispano-Muslim al-Andalus. After the battle of Navas de Tolosa in 1212, they passed to the hands of the Castilian Crown, under the regional administration of Cazorla.

Thanks to efficient logistics, this programme will allow you to enjoy little-known landscapes. If you are willing to make the effort, you will walk through rugged scenery, rest in sleepy villages at the end of winding tracks, and discover the impressive orography, flora and fauna of this Nature Reserve.

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