‘Senderismo’ as it is called in Spanish, is a very popular pastime in Andalucía, as the sunny days invite you to get outside and enjoy the spectacular countryside around and there are so many places to explore and enjoy.

To get to know all the paths and routes in the Granada province would probably take a lifetime, but it is well worth spending some time exploring as there are walks to suit all ages and fitness.

Las Alpujarras is a particularly delightful area to explore on foot and there are many well-signposted walking routes, ranging from a short stroll, to day-long hikes into the Sierra Nevada. You can walk to the top of the highest mountains in the Iberian Peninsula – El Veleta (3,398m ) and Mulhacén (3,482m ) but these climbs are best attempted in July and August, when the air is that bit cooler at high altitude, and the risk of rain and low cloud is lower than during the rest of the year. However at any time of year you should not set out without warm clothing as the weather can be very unpredictable and it is chilly at the top even in the height of summer.  If you are going on your own, without someone who knows the area, then a map and a guidebook are useful. Here are some suggested titles:

Walking in Andalucia: The Best Walks in Southern Spain's Natural Parks (Santana Guides) by Guy Hunter-Watts

Walk the Alpujarras by Charles Davis and David Brawn

Alpujarras Tour & Trail Super-Durable Map (2nd ed. Tour & Trail Maps) by David Brawn and Ros Brawn

Holiday Walks in the Alpujarra (Holiday Walks) by Jeremy Rabjohns

The Andalucia tourist board also lists some routes on its website - click here to see them.

For the really serious walker there are two famous long-distance foot paths that cross Las Alpujarras.  One is the GR-7 which begins in Tarifa in Cadiz province and crosses Europe all the way to Greece (10,500km from Tarifa to Crete).  The other is the GR-142 which runs from Lanjaron to Fiñana on the northern side of the Sierra Nevada in Almeria province. Both of these routes are generally well-marked, with the GR-7 having distinctive red and white markers, however some of these have been removed or are overgrown by shrubbery.

The GR-7

The letters GR stand for "Gran Recorrido" (Long Journey). The GR7 is the footpath through Andalucia, which forms part of the European Route No. 4. The route is made up of itineraries which are designed to avoid crossing or using tarmac roads or any roads used by traffic, wherever possible.

The section of the GR-7 walkway, which goes through the province of Granada, is as varied as it is beautiful. The Granada route covers some 500 kilometers.

From the starting point in the province, at Ventas de Zafarraya, you carry on to Alhama de Granada, where it's worth stopping off at the Balneario (traditional spa), which is just outside of the town. You can either stay overnight at the Balneario or just soak your feet in the warm natural waters, which flow into the river beside the spa car park. The route carries on across the province into the Valle de Lecrín, a wonderful valley where the oranges ripen and the almond blossoms in spring, while at the same time the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada make a stunning contrast against the clear blue skies. The route takes you through from the village of Albuñuelas, right through to Nigüelas on a journey of well worn paths, but always with an abundance of wildlife, no matter what time of the year. Dramatic rocky gorges lead you deeper into the Mountains of Andalucia, from Lanjarón (famous for its spring water and Spa treatments) right into the Alpujarra Mountains. The route takes you to the highest paths in Spain, where the some snow can always be found - even in the hottest summer months. This demanding, mountain route through the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Granada ends at Bayarcal - at 1,255 meters, the highest village in the Province of Almería.

For further details see:
Walking the GR7 in Andalucia (Cicerone Guide) by Kirstie Shirra and Michelle Lowe