Nestled along the steep slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains, over 50 quaint little towns make up the land known as the Alpujarras. This area is a great place to go hiking in summer. The high altitude makes for cooler temperatures. So, if need a break from baking in the sun on beaches of Granada and are looking for a “cooler” activity, the Alpujarras is the place to be.

There are several daily buses from Granada that will take you up to the Alpujarras. These buses are probably the safest and easiest way to get up there. Just a word of advice, though. Be sure to take some Dramamine, especially if you’re going to towns deep in the Alpujarras such as Trevelez. The narrow, winding road that leads up to and through the Alpujarras isn’t for the weak of heart. The road constantly zigzags around the slopes of the mountains. The road has no shoulder. And if you’re brave enough to look out the window, you’ll be looking down a straight drop off of several hundred feet. So, like I said, take the Dramamine. You’ll thank for me for it later.

What to Do in the Alpujarras

Hiking

One of the main attractions of the Alpujarras is the hiking trails that lead from one town to another. There is even an international trail that will take you all the way to Greece. No, I’m not kidding. You can hike all the way from the Alpujarras to Greece. Seriously. Be sure to pack some extra undies for that one, though.

Horseback Riding

Trekking through the Alpujarras on horseback is a great way to experience the beauty of the Sierra Nevada. There are numerous tour operators in the Alpujarras that specialize in guided tours on horseback. And I’m pretty sure most of them can accommodate and adapt their tours to any skill level from expert to beginner including those who’ve never ridden a horse before.

Mountain biking

If mountain biking is your thing, the Alpujarras is an adventure you won’t forget. There are a number of tour operators that will take you on an exhilarating ride through the Sierra Nevada mountains. Depending on you skill level and the type of tour you want, you can go for either a leisurely scenic ride or a fast-paced excursion across treacherous terrain.

Eating

The Alpujarras is famous for its food. The cheeses, sausages and cured ham from this region are known to be among the finest in all of Spain. Because of the cooler climate and the hard manual labor that traditionally has been a part of living in the Alpujarras, their meals tend to be pretty hearty. In fact, there’s even a dish that bears the name plato alpujarreño or “the dish of the Alpujarras.” This dish consists of a healthy serving of scalloped potatoes sauteed with onions and green peppers and served with a fried egg, a pork fillet, a couple kinds of sausage and a few slices of cured ham. Whew!