User:Thelifeofriley/sandbox

Walking in las Alpujarras.

Las Alpujarras makes an ideal walking destination with a wide variety of terrain and scenery. The area is bounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the north and the Cantraviesa range to the south and lies just 30km from the Mediterranean coastline. Generally the terrain is rugged with paths winding  their way  along steep  hillsides or making use of ancient mule tracks in and out of the river valleys

The area is dotted with many picturesque ‘’white villages ‘’ such as Pampaneira, Bubion and Capileira found in the Poqueira Gorge. The gorge itself has numerous footpaths, ‘’sendero local’’ and makes a great base for exploring the area.

There are a number of key routes through the area:- The GR7, the Spanish section of the European walking trail E4 runs through the area from the Lecrin valley in the west through to the Cadiar area some 50km to the east. The southern sections of the GR240 ‘’Sulyar’’, a circular route of the entire Sierra Nevada range  runs along the northern boundary as it traverses the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada. The GR 142, ‘’Senda de la Alpujarra’’ follows a more circuitous route through the lower Alpujarra and links many of its distinctive ‘’white villages’’.

Linking these three routes are a network of local paths and trails including the ‘’Ruta Medieval’’ around the Taha area.

Whilst it is possible to walk here all year round the best time is undoubtedly the spring when there is still snow on the higher mountains to the north and wild flowers carpet the lower slopes. July and August are to be avoided as the high summer temperatures can be dangerous.