Lecrin Valley Guided Walking Holidays and Tours near Granada, Andalucia, Spain

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.

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• Lecrin Valley Walking
Photos showing the varied and interesting walking to be found in the hills south of the Lecrin var flashvars = {}; flashvars.baseURL = "http://www.spanishhighs.co.uk/galleries/lecrin-valley-walking...
• Scrambling on Giralda
Mountains dont have to be the highest to offer the best sport. This small peak in southern Andalucia always gives us plenty of scrambling fun! var flashvars = {}; flashvars.baseURL = "http://www.sp...

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:
Jayena - Albunuelas - Saleres - Restabal - Melegis - Murchas - Lecrin - Niguelas - Lanjaron

The town of Padul is at the northern end of the Lecrin. From here 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 interesting and arid peaks of the Alayos de Dilar ridge can also be reached from here.

The terrain is rough and rocky, but there are some good tracks up the actual peaks themselves, including reigning peak of the Corazon de la Sandia (1877m). Los Gallos (1907m) is a fine multi-summited peak just off the Alayos ridge and worth the pathless additional effort involved in reaching its summit.

The lower slopes of the Sierra Nevada bound the Lecrin valley to the east. NE of the town of Durcal lies access to the Collado de los Volaores and hence onwards to the rocky peak of Las Buitreras (1645m).

The main gorge above Niguelas is an interesting excursion, as is the high track from the Cortijo de Echevarria to the Cerro de Caballo (3009m) via the ridge of Loma de los Tres Mojones. The acequia de los Hechos gives an easier day, traversing high above the surrounding valleys.