Trek Sierra Nevada

We headed up to the high mountains to take refuge from the heat. It was certainly cooler, but very windy. It’s going to be quite busy in the Sierra Nevada in the next week or so:

⛪ 5 August – Romería de la Virgen de las Nieves, starting from Pradollano and Trevélez
🏃‍♀️ 9 August – Race from Granada to the peak of Veleta, billed as one of the most gruelling in the world – 50 km and 2,750 m of altitude gain
✨ 11 August – the Sierra Nevada is fantastic for star-gazing, including the Perseid meteor shower
😎 12 August – it’s also a great spot to watch the eclipse, although it will only be a 95% one in this part of Spain

Looks like there's finally some good news about the Refugio de Poqueira, although not yet a firm date for reopening.

But there are also reports it's been vandalised (graffiti and broken windows) - hard to see why anyone would do that😢😡. Hopefully it won't cause further delay.

As usual, the ski station has the lifts open for access to the high mountains until 23 August. You can find more details on their website.

How to get a permission for restricted footpaths in the Sierra de Grazalema - The Sierra de Grazalema How to get a permission for restricted footpaths in the Sierra de Grazalema. El Torreon, El Pinsapar, Garganta Verde and Llano de Ravel.

NEW Audio Tour 🎧🚘

Castles of Castile and Al-Andalus: A Drive from Córdoba to Granada

We’ve just published our latest VoiceMap audio tour, and this one’s a bit different. It’s a driving tour through the old frontier between Castile and the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada.

🔗 https://voicemap.me/cordobadrive

The main theme of the tour is the 250-year period when the border between the kingdoms of Castile and Granada ran through the Subbética mountains. Starting at Córdoba, the route heads south-east through rolling olive groves dotted with fortresses and watchtowers perched on rocky outcrops.

Along the way, you’ll pass the pretty whitewashed villages of Zuheros, Luque, Doña Mencía and Moclín, and have the chance to visit a medieval fortress at Alcaudete or Fortaleza de la Mota in Alcalá la Real. We also point out good places to sample local cheeses and Montilla-Moriles wines.

The Park authorities are warning that in the high Sierra Nevada, there's still a considerable amount of snow, so conditions are dangerous. Don't go up unless you have the necessary experience and equipment (crampons, ice axe, etc.).

On our wanders around Granada and the bosque de la Alhambra, we discovered the new Espacio Amazigh in the Carmen de los Porcel (aka Carmen de los Catalanes). It's an exhibition about the Amazigh (Berbers) and their role in the history of Al-Andalus.

You can also visit part of the lovely gardens, with views across to the Alhambra. It's only open on weekends, but it's free to go in. The entrance is on Callejón Niño del Royo, opposite the Fundación Rodríguez-Acosta.

The landscape around Moclín is stunning, whether you're hiking or just doing a driving tour. In the village there's a picturesque castle, and it's the starting point for the Gollizno route (details on our website).

⚔ This Saturday in Moclín there's the Jornada Medieval Nazaríes y Castellanos with a procession, historical reenactment, music, an artesanal market and other events. 🤺🏰

☀ The forecast is for very hot weather, so go armed with a hat, sunscreen and water bottle.