Granada to Sevilla

Southern Spain holds two impossibly romantic cities: Granada, with its extraordinary Alhambra Palace, and vibrant Sevilla, home of flamenco. In between these cultural icons, we hike through glorious landscapes to tranquil pueblos blancos, the dazzling whitewashed villages of Andalucia, with their Iberian, Roman, and Moorish heritage. We begin in Las Alpujarras, below Spain’s dramatic Sierra Nevada, hiking back in time amid tiny hamlets festooned with roses. Our westward arc brings us into the Sierra de Grazalema, where atmospheric villages include Grazalema, with its balconies overflowing with flowers, and Ronda, one of the most spectacular towns in the world, its architecture a striking reminder of the multilayered history of southern Spain.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Granada / Las Alpujarras / Bubion

We explore Granada’s exquisite Alhambra Palace, then head to Las Alpujarras, a lovely region of mountain villages clinging to the southern flanks of the Sierra Nevada. Our hike brings us through the dramatic landscapes of the Poqueira Gorge, with its enchanting views of snowy Mount Mulhacen.

Days 3-4
Ronda

After a hike in the Taha de Pitres, seven Arab-style villages connected by footpaths used since Roman times, we head to picturesque Ronda, perched atop a deep gorge. We visit its Roman theater, Moorish palace, and 18th century plaza de toros, Spain’s first bullring, then enjoy a hike that offers stunning views of Ronda’s ancient bridge. Our accommodation is the luxurious Parador de Ronda, with a breathtaking location overlooking the river gorge.

Days 5-6
Sierra de Grazalema

After a visit to Cueva de la Pileta, a prehistoric cave with remarkable 20,000-year-old paintings, we head to Sierra de Grazalema National Park, a Biosphere Reserve of majestic cork oak and fir trees that shelters about a dozen of Spain’s most spectacular traditional villages. From the tranquil “white village” of Benaojan, isolated among stony pastures and high peaks, we hike through the canyon of the R“o Guadiaro to the hamlet of Jimera de Libar. Overnights are in Grazalema, one of the most striking of Spain’s pueblos blancos.

Days 7-8
Sevilla

The elegant Andalucian capital is a riverside city of artists and poets, jasmine-scented gardens and Moorish monuments. We explore its lovely small plazas and narrow streets and enjoy a festive flamenco performance in the labyrinthine Barrio de Santa Cruz. There’s no better place in the world to experience flamenco! Depart on Day 8.

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What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated Level 3+. We hike from 2 to 5 hours each day over rolling hills, with some steep sections. Distances are not long , but you should be in good shape and wear good hiking boots. Hiking poles are recomended. You need to carry only a daypack for your camera, water bottle, rain jacket, etc. A vehicle transfers our luggage between overnight accommodations. On some days, we enjoy picnic lunches prepared by the Trip Leaders with local produce, wine, breads, vegetables, and cheeses. On “town” days, we have lunch at local cafes. Accommodations are in charming small inns, with two nights in a spectacular and historic parador in Ronda. Please note that in Spain, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 9:00 PM.

Explanation of Trip Levels