Alpujarra Ride
The Alpujarra Ride runs in summer months and takes you higher into the mountains avoiding the heat of the valleys. You stay at three different locations, returning to Bubion on the final evening enjoying your last ride in the mountains.
Day 1
Transfer from Malaga airport and transfer to the village of Bubion where you will be met by the trek organiser and guide. Supper and accommodation in a comfortable village guest house in Bubion.
Day 2
After breakfast you will be collected and driven to the stables situated 5 kms from the village of Bubion at an altitude of 1.650m. Today you will explore Poqueira valley, on a combination of bridle paths and forestry tracks. This will enable you to get to know your horse. The route follows along ancient Moorish irrigation channels and summer pastures watered by the snow melt. With the Mulhacen (the highest mountain in Spain) forming the backdrop, this valley is often described as the most beautiful in the Alpujarra. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the shade of a pine wood and in the afternoon follow a forestry track back down the mountainside towards Bubion. You will stay in Bubion again tonight. Approximately 6 hours riding
Day 3
Heading east you set off for the village of Trevelez, at 1,476m, this is the highest village in Spain. During the morning you will follow the old mule paths through the countryside to the village of Capilerilla, Pitres and then Portugos where you will have lunch on the way.
After lunch you will climb up to join a broad forestry track through the pine and oak trees to Trevelez. This afternoon there may be some opportunities for canters. Overnight in Trevelez. Approximately 6 hours riding
Day 4
Today the route continues east to the village of Berchules after a 10 minute walk through the streets of Trevelez we water the horses at one of the many springs, mount up and head down to the river. Once across the river the path, many centuries old, follows first the Moorish irrigation channel and then works its way through oak and pine forests to the open pasture lands of the Sierra of Juviles. Here we have two options, depending on the weather we continue to climb and picnic at about 2,300m or start a gentler descent and picnic in the oak woods above the village of Juviles. Both lovely rides with stunning views. Both slow as we are mostly climbing on mountain paths. On both options the final descent into the village of Berchules is on foot about 30 minutes walk. Overnight and dinner in the very comfortable Hotel Berchules, Pool available June to late September. Approximately 6 hours riding
Day 5
Berchules takes its name from the old Spanish word Berchel, meaning literally, mountain garden. During the morning we take the ancient Moorish bridle path, once the main trade route over the mountains to Granada. As the path passes through terraced orchards and fields, high above the cause of the river, it is easy to see how the area came by its name.
We stop for a picnic lunch in the shade of the pine woods. After lunch we join the main forestry track built in the early 1900s to improving access for farming and reforestation in the area. Opportunities for trots and canters. We spend a second night in the village of Berchules. Approximately 7 hours riding
Day 6
Today we head back to the village of Trevelez. Leaving the village of Berchules below we have a steep climb to approximately 2,400 metres. During the morning the route follows dirt tracks through farm and pasture lands up to the tree line. Some canters. Picnic lunch on the edge of the pine woods with wonderful views over the valley of Trevelez, the sea to the south and the Mulhacen 3486m (the highest mountain on the mainland) to the north. During the afternoon we descend on the bridle path through the woods to the village of Trevelez. There are some places one needs to lead the horses for short periods.
Overnight and dinner in the comfortable Hotel Fragua, Pool June to late September. Stay overnight in Trevelez. Approximately 5 hours riding
Day 7
Today is a shorter ride. Following the forestry track through pine and oak woods you will ride towards the stables high above the villages of the Poqueira. This route offers spectacular views out over the Contraviesa mountains towards the Mediterranean sea. There is some good opportunities for some canters.
After a lunch in the village of Capileira or Bubion you will have the afternoon free for some last minute shopping and a well deserved siesta. Overnight in the village of Bubion and farewell dinner. Approximately 3-4 hours riding
Day 8
Depart for Malaga after breakfast.