Horseback riding trip in ANDALUSIA : FROM THE SIERRA NEVADA TO THE TABERNAS DESERT

HORSEBACK TRAIL RIDE IN ANDALUSIA
SIERRA NEVADA TO TABERNAS INDICATIVE ITINERARY *

Day 1: CAPILEIRA. Transfer from Granada airport. Welcoming and introduction with your guide. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel at Capilaeira.

Day 2: BUBIÓN – TREVÉLEZ. Drive to the riding centre  (2 Km away from Capileira). Introduction of the horses. Always along bridle paths, we descend to the village of Pórtugos, where we will take the track that later on will lead us to Trevélez. We will ride through an oak forest on paths that cut this track. Descend to Trevélez by a bridle path. This village, famous for its hams, is considered the highest one in Spain (1,700m). There will be the opportunity to visit some of the ham drying houses. A four and a half hour ride. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 3: TREVÉLEZ – CÁDIAR. After crossing the bridge over the Trevélez river, we will start this route by a bridle path that climbs the left slope of the ravine, leaving behind the village from which it takes its name. Once again we will enjoy the beauty of the sierras Contraviesa, Lújar and Gádor, this one already in the province of Almería. Descent along a more gentle path to Juviles, where we will have lunch. Descend to Tímar along a narrow path through the gorge. Then we will take the bridle path to the beautiful Hotel Alquería de Morayma (**), close to Cádiar. We have descended over 1,000 m in 5 hours. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 4: CÁDIAR – PICENA – LAROLES. Riding first over the hills with stunning panoramic views of Sierra Nevada and the sierras of Contraviesa and Gádor, then we will ride along the dry riverbed to arrive at Ugíjar for a picnic. In the afternoon we will ride up to Picena, where we leave the horses. Drive to Laroles (3Km). A six hour ride. Dinner and accommodation at your hotel.

Day 5: LAROLES – BENECID. Descent to Picena then crossing the Bayarcal river, where we enter the Almería province. Picnic at Guarros. Leaving for Benecid passing by Laujar de Andarax, important wine-growing area. A five hour ride. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 6: BENECID – ALCORA – RÁGOL. Across Sierra Gádor, riding on a track enjoying the open view of Sierra Nevada, on the other side of the Andarax river. After crossing Cortijo Cacín we ride to the old “Venta de Alcora” for picnic-lunch. During the morning ride there are some opportunities for gallops with a magnificent panoramic.  After a short rest, ride for 2 hours to the Casita de Crista and the village of Rágol where we leave the horses. A five  hour ride. Drive  to Canjayar (4 Km). Dinner and accommodation at the hotel in the town’s central square.

Day 7: RÁGOL – ALBOLODUY – GRANADA. Drive to Rágol to meet the horses for our last three hour ride through the desert. Crossing the Andarax river and riding to the mountain of Montenegro through the Rambla (dry river bed) of Guadix, with many opportunities for canters and where we start to discover the first desert landscape. Descend to the colourful dry riverbed of Alboloduy through a labyrinth of canyons similar to those seen in numerous spaghetti-western films. At the end of the Rambla de Los Yesos, we will arrive at Alboloduy, at the edge of the Sierra Nevada Natural Park. After saying goodbye to the horses, lunch in the village. After lunch drive to Granada (2 hours drive). Dinner in a typical restaurant and accommodation in a hotel.

Day 8: GRANADA. Farewell after breakfast. Transfer to Granada airport or options: visit the Alhambra or the Hamman of Granada for a relaxing and free Arabic bath, subject to availability. It is strongly recommended to book well in advance.

* Indicative itinerary, can be changed if necessary. At some dates, the ride is run reverse side: "TABERNAS TO SIERRA NEVADA".