Malaga Las Alpujarras Itinerary
At kilometre 27 of the road linking the Costa
del Sol and Granada there is a 6km turn off which leads to Lanjaron.
Lanjaron lies at the foot of the Bordaila Hill. The trout river
and the surrounding countryside, which is of great interest from
the point of view of scenery, have turned the place into a traditional
summer resort - including a spa - and into almost the last area
of urban civilisation on the route into Las Alpujarras.
The same regional road takes the traveller to Orgiva (9km) where
the road branches out into the Upper and Lower Alpujarras, respectively.
Before the village is reached, there is a turn off for Cañar on
the left.
Cañar is a minuscule village with an untouched Moorish air. The
whitewashed houses and their flat roofs, made rainproof with lauda,
a kind of clay only found in this region, are terraced as are
the crops in the surroundings.
Retracing his steps, the traveller returns again to the road leading
to the Barranco de Poquira, a ravine. On the way he passes magnificent
oak, holm oak, chestnut and pine tree forests.
Pampaneira and Bubion are found clinging to a slope. Both overlook
the splendid panorama of a valley full of orchards, pastures,
walnut and chestnut trees and both look surprisingly African with
their cubic houses contrasting with the mountain scenery. Capileira
is very close. From there the traveller has the choice between
climbing towards the Mulhacen and the Veleta (only during the
summer since the track can only be used in good weather) and continuing
his visit of Las Alpujarras. Attention is drawn again to the unique
attraction of the popular architecture in the region.
Trevelez (35km from Orgiva) comes into view after skirting a long
stretch of the river after which it is named. It is also surrounded
by kitchen gardens and lush trees which hide a deep valley. Trout
abound as do wild goat on the slopes near the Mulhacen. The upper
area of the village is lovely and unmistakable. And trying the
local Trevelez ham is almost a must.
Between Trevelez and Berchules (21km) the scenery changes abruptly
and turns more southerly. Mecina-Bombaron and Yegen already overlook
the lower Alpujarra.
About 2km from Mecina-Bombaron the road, after passing through
Cadiar, Torvizcon and Los Tablones, takes the traveller to Velez
de Benaudalla, where one can retake the CN-323 and return to the
coast.