Ruta Boabdil, Valle de Lecrin
The cluster of villages making up the Lecrin Valley south of Granada and west of the Sierra Nevada mountains is a relatively unknown walking destination despite it's proximity to Granada and the Costa Tropical.
This walk links these interesting and beautiful andalucian villages via a series of old drovers paths and hillside trails. It makes diversions en route to take in local scenic attractions.
Ruta Boabdil Highlights
- Length 113km, 2726m of ascent (between 310m and 1015m)
- Circular walk starting and ending at the Suspiro del Moro south of Granada
- 14 convenient stages of between 7km and 12km in length
- Passing through 18 villages
- Each stage starting and ending in a village/town
- Accommodation available at each stage
N.B Although of primary interest to the self-guided walker our expert local walking guides do know the route, history, flaura and fauna really well. They are available to guide you for a nominal cost of €40 per person per day. We can also assist with accommodation reservations and transportation.
The History
This superb long distance walk is inspired by the historical legend surrounding Muhammad XII, the last Sultan of the Moors in Granada. He is said to have crossed the Alpujarras at the 860m pass of the Suspiro del Moro (the start and end of the hike) after being ejected from the city of Granada by the Catholic Kings in 1492.
At the Suspiro del Moro he is said to have looked back at his beloved Granada, sighed longingly at the last view of his Alhambra Palace. This act moved his mother to remark "Now you weep like a woman over what you could not defend as a man."
Villages the route passes through
The towns of the Valley are Izbor, Pinos, Tablate, Beznar, Chite, Murchas, Lecrín, Mondújar, Acequias, Nigüelas, Dúrcal, Padul, Cozvijar, Conchar, Albuñuelas, Saleres, Restabal and Melegís.
List of the Ruta Boabdil Walking Stages
There are 14 sections for you to enjoy:
- Suspiro del Moro – Padul 7.6km
- Padul – Dúrcal 7km
- Circular Dúrcal 7km
- Dúrcal - Nigüelas 5km (including visit to Falla Natural Monument)
- Nigüelas – Lecrín 7km (including visit to Castle Zoralla)
- Lecrín – Tablate 7km
- Tablate – Pinos del Valle 10km (including swamp variation)
- Pinos del Valle – Melegís 7km
- Circular Melegís – 7km
- Melegís – Albuñuelas 9km
- Albuñuelas – Conchar 12km
- Conchar – Cozvijar 7km
- Cozvijar – Padul 9km
- Padul – Suspiro del Moro 7km
Plants and Wildlife
The valley of Lecrín is unique. In only 15 km the land falls from 3001m at the Cerro de Caballo to the dam at Rules (180m). It passes through many climatic zones down to the sub tropical Costa Tropical
In the lower villages ie Izbor, Beznar, El Valle there are avocados, chirimoyos, kiwis and mangoes, etc. In Lecrín, Melegís, Chite, Restabal, Saleres and Pinos you will find citrus fruits such as orange and lemon trees, vegetables, tubers and legumes.
At Dúrcal, Nigüelas, Cozvijar, Conchar and Albuñuelas all kinds of fruit trees are seen. Plums, peach trees, almond trees, pomegranates, cherry trees and persimmons are grown.
Typical of the mountain area are spanish Ibex, wild boar, deer, foxes, weasels, partridges, turtledoves, owls, eagles, kestrels, snakes and lizards.
Ruta Boabdil - Itinerary, accommodation and further walking options
Stage 1 - Suspiro del Moro – Padul 7.6km
Optional extra - Padul, Mirador del Padre Ferrer 8.4km , 572m ascent.
Stage 2 - Padul – Dúrcal 7km
Not to be missed! The lake of Padul where more than 200 birds have been counted. Used by many migrants who rest here on their long journey from central and northern Europe to central Africa
Optional extra - Salto de agua Canal de Fuga 3.5km , 114m ascent
Optional extra - Baños de Dúrcal 6.9km , 220m ascent.
Stage 3 - Circular Dúrcal 7km
Stage 4 - Dúrcal - Nigüelas 5km (including visit to Falla Natural Monument)
Not to be missed! In Nigüelas, the Almazara de las Laerillas, the natural monument of the Nigüelas "Falla", Pavilla route, Müller gardens and María Zayas house.
Stage 5 - Nigüelas – Lecrín 7km (including visit to Castle Zoralla)
Not to be missed! The castles of Soraya and Lojuela, the Roman ruins of Feche, the mills of the fifteenth century in Mondújar and Acequias.
Stage 6 - Lecrín – Tablate 7km
Stage 7 - Tablate – Pinos del Valle 10km (including swamp variation)
Not to be missed! The viewpoints of Pinos del Valle, the hermitage of Cristo del Zapato
Optional extra - Ermita del Cristo del Zapato 5.6km , 531m ascent.
Stage 8 - Pinos del Valle – Melegís 7km
Stage 9 - Circular Melegís – 7km
Stage 10 - Melegís – Albuñuelas 9km
Not to be missed! The spectacular gorge of the Barranco de la Luna just outside Saleres
Not to be missed! The Callejones with geodesic vertices such as the Giralda, Las Tres Lindes and Pozo Herrero
Optional extra - Albuñuelas-Cerro del Muerto o de Las tres Lindes 26.5km , 798m ascent.
Stage 11 - Albuñuelas – Conchar 12km
Not to be missed! The Arroyo del Alcázar, the Arab watchtower and the Acequia de los Arcos.
Not to be missed! Waterfall of the Arroyo del Alcazar, the highest in Granada on the dry rambla of the Cañada de Cijancos.
Stage 12 - Conchar – Cozvijar 7km
Not to be missed! Remains of the Neanderthal man, about 10,000 years ago, have been found in the cave of Los Ojos de Cozvijar.
Stage 13 - Cozvijar – Padul 9km
Stage 14 - Padul – Suspiro del Moro 7km
Finish of the route. Well done!