Lecrin Valley Walking & Hiking
Our series of day walks aim to cover the best the valley has to offer by both linear and circular routes. Day trips or week long walking holidays can be arranged. See below for details of the walks.
- Day 1 - Arrival. Afternoon/evening orientation walk around the village and up to the viewpoint at "Ermita del Cristo del Zapato de Pinos del Valle"
- Day 2 - Optional guided walk - Forests and hillsides west of Albunuelas
- Day 3 - Optional guided walk - The Silleta del Padul circular
- Day 4 - Optional guided walk - A traverse of the rocky summit of Giralda
- Day 5 - Optional guided walk - Linear walk along the GR7 passing through Albunuelas and Saleres to Restabal
- Day 6 - Optional guided walk - "Las Buitreras" above Durcal
- Day 7 - Departure
The Lecrin Valley
The Lecrin valley is a cluster of beautiful towns and villages south of Granada. It offers some interesting, varied guided walking. It is bordered to the east by the mighty Sierra Nevada and to the south by the Sierra de Almijara. The area has a surprisingly great variety of walking and hiking, known only to small bands of local enthusiasts.
We have developed a great week's walking there in conjunction with the delightful Casa Molino in the village Pinos de Valle. All the walks are available as individual day trips to suit.
Choice of walking grades (What do these grades mean?)
We offer 1 Leisurely walk and 2 Moderate and 2 Challenging walks here.
Thank you for the excellent service provided by you and your team. I know you were somewhat taken aback when you realised our ages, but you dealt with that admirably and tactfully. You managed to push us beyond what some of us would have thought of as our limit, and in doing so gave us a memorable holiday
Eileen K Group, Ireland via Trip Advisor
Lecrin Valley Area Walks
Forests and hillsides west of Albunuelas
The long and at times complicated terrain south and west of the village of Albunuelas is accessed via dirt and forest tracks. The area is very varied with lush forests competing with arid semi desert like dry valleys (ramblas). Here, there are few recognised paths and the terrain at times feels like you are in a natural maze.
There are some peaks to be ascended though, the majority between 1200 and 1400m, with some spectacular vistas out towards Otivar, Almunecar and the sea. To the north east the Sierra Nevada are always a welcome backdrop. Great for those who prefer quiet, unspoilt walking in interesting and spectacular surroundings. The area is rich in bird life and makes for a good birdwatching destination.
5 hours, 12km and 450m ascent. NB shorter options exist
The Silleta del Padul circular
From the village of Durcal we can access, via dirt tracks, the lovely ridge wandering on the Silleta del Paul (1519m) and the Silleta del Manar, with their dramatic views east to the main mass of the Sierra Nevada.
The going is sometimes steep but always on decent tracks. You are rewarded by superb views towards the Sierra Nevada, Cumbres Verdes and across the Vega de Granada
7 hours, 16km and 600m ascent
A traverse of the rocky summit of Giralda
We love this rugged peak with it's distant views south to the sea and northwards to the massive bulk of the Sierra Nevada. We ascend along forest trails to a high open ridgeline before making our ascent of the peak, which we traverse before dropping down into the Barranco de Zaza.
5 hours, 11km and 510m ascent
The GR7 between Niguelas and Albunuelas
We have been devotees of the GR7 path through the Alpujarras for many years, and the path through the Lecrin valley has been somewhat unfairly neglected. Yet the walking is as good and possibly even quieter and more rural that it's better known neighbour to the east. We cover the section of the path through the following villages: Albunuelas - Saleres - Restabal - Niguelas
5 hours, 14km and 260m ascent
"Las Buitreras" above Durcal
The lower slopes of the Sierra Nevada bound the Lecrin valley to the north east. From the town of Durcal we access the start point at Pena Gallo. From here we ascend to Collado de los Volaores and hence onwards to the rocky peak of Las Buitreras (1645m). A return is made over La Chaja (1518m) then steeply down to join a dirt track that takes us back to the start point.
6 hours, 13km and 720m ascent
Dates & Prices
When?
Prices
Group size (per booking) (prices are per person per day)- 1 person - cost €110
- 2 persons - cost €75
- 3 persons - cost €65
- 4 persons - cost €55
Definition of "Group" - if you are booking a trip for 2 persons the 2 person rate applies, 3 persons - 3 person rate etc (not dependent on eventual total group size!).
Price includes:- Guiding (Alpujarras, Granada area, Lecrin Valley, Costa del Sol, Granada
- We have a limited number of walking poles for the use of guests if required
N.B Meeting place to be agreed upon, normally Lanjaron or the start of the walk
Larger groups - discounts apply. Enquire via email or contact form
Transport (effective for all bookings after 1st July 2022)
The guiding price above does not include transport. Due to rising energy and fuel prices we do not want to be constantly changing guiding prices to reflect transport costs. We want to be honest and open about our price structure.
Clients have two options:
NO COST OPTION - Pick up/drop off our guide in Lanjaron or a venue to be agreed. Use your own transport to and from the start/end of activity.
COST OF FUEL OPTION - Our guide will drive you to/from start/end of activity in one our own vehicles. Applicable costs are:
- Capileira, White Villages, Taha del Pitres €15
- Hoya del Portillo €20
- Sierra Nevada ski area €25
- Granada area, Cumbres Verdes €15
- Peñon de la Mata €20
- Lecrin Valley €10
- Jerez de Marquesado, Eastern Sierra Nevada €35
N.B For destinations not listed above we can easily work out a fuel cost
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