Spain - Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada is the highest mountain range in Spain and little has changed here over the centuries. The mule and ox still pull the plough in tiny terraced fields, the horse and mule still provide transport and the shepherd still tends his flock of sheep on the mountainside.
The routes are planned so that you ride over different terrain each day. One day you follow small paths high into the mountains, with views on a clear day of the Mediterranean in one direction and the highest peaks in the other. On other days you take slightly lower routes where the many forest tracks allow for a faster pace.
Contraviesa Ride and Alpujarra Ride (seven nights)
On the seven night itineraries you ride between three villages, following drovers’ paths through steep valleys filled with Mediterranean almond and walnut groves up to high summer pastures irrigated by the snow melt. The Contraviesa Ride takes the lower mountain paths during early spring and late autumn and the Alpujarra Ride takes higher routes to avoid the summer heat.
Alpujarra short break (five nights)
This is a shortened version of the seven night Alpujarra Ride.
Buena Vista Ride (seven nights)
This is a more challenging itinerary with spectacular mountain scenery where you ride higher than on the Alpujarra Ride (reaching c 2,700 m).
Sulayr short break (four nights)
Stay the first two nights in Bubion, then ride to Trevelez, the highest village in Spain where you spend one night before returning to Bubion by a different route.
Poqueira short break (four nights)
A relaxing itinerary were you stay all four nights in the comfortable Casa la Sevillana in Bubion and enjoy day rides. The village has some very nice little restaurants and small bars to explore.
The horses are Andalucian and Andalucian crosses and have all been schooled by their owner and your guide Dallas Love. They are fit, surefooted and responsive with the classic good nature of the breed, enjoying their work and a pleasure to ride.
The horses are usually ridden in English bridles and each horse will also have their own saddle. These are English style general purpose/endurance type saddles and are very comfortable. At the end of the day you are expected to help untack and groom your horse but assistance is available if you need help.
Riders should be competent at walk, trot and canter, with good balance. The terrain dictates the pace but there are occasional places for trots and canters. Guests should be able to mount unassisted but there are normally banks or rocks for those needing a mounting block.
On some of the steep descents it is necessary to lead the horses and so we recommend you are physically fit as well as riding fit. These rides are not for those who suffer from vertigo.
The Buena Vista is the most challenging itinerary. There are two long days of about eight hours riding and on those two days there are a couple of long downhill walks. You do need to be fit, happy to get off and lead over rough terrain and be aware that you will be riding at high altitude on three of the days.
You stay in small, family run village hostels and hotels (some with pools) in twin bedded rooms with en-suite facilities. The accommodation is clean but simple and does not offer room service or lifts. Your luggage is taken ahead for you by vehicle and left at reception. We recommend packing light as you will have to carry your own luggage up to your room.
On the Buena Vista Ride one night is spend in a high mountain refuge and the other six nights in comfortable village hotels (some with pools).
In Bubion you stay in the comfortable Casa la Sevillana. In Trevelez (the highest village in Spain) you normally stay at Hotel La Fragua. In Berchules you normally stay at Hotel Berchules.
During the day there will be several rest stops and a leisurely picnic lunch of locally cured hams and cheeses accompanied by freshly baked bread and salads.
Additional dates may be available for private groups. Two short break itineraries can run at the same with a maximum number of eight guests in total.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulayr Ride | 1 Oct 2023 - 5 Oct 2023 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,026.82 |
|
Book | |
| Poqueira Ride | 1 Oct 2023 - 5 Oct 2023 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $854.76 |
|
Book | |
| Alpujarra Short Break | 7 Oct 2023 - 12 Oct 2023 | 5 nights 5 ngts | $1,459.75 |
|
Full | |
| Alpujarra Ride | 14 Oct 2023 - 21 Oct 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,053.64 |
|
Book | |
| Poqueira Ride | 22 Oct 2023 - 26 Oct 2023 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $854.76 |
|
Book | |
| Sulayr Ride | 22 Oct 2023 - 26 Oct 2023 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,026.82 |
|
Book | |
| Contraviesa Ride | 28 Oct 2023 - 4 Nov 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,053.64 |
|
Book | |
| Contraviesa Ride | 11 Nov 2023 - 18 Nov 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,053.64 |
|
Book | |
| Poqueira Ride | 19 Nov 2023 - 23 Nov 2023 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $854.76 |
|
Book | |
| Sulayr Ride | 19 Nov 2023 - 23 Nov 2023 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,026.82 |
|
Book | |
| Contraviesa Ride | 25 Nov 2023 - 2 Dec 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,053.64 |
|
Book | |
| Poqueira Ride | 10 Dec 2023 - 14 Dec 2023 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $854.76 |
|
Book | |
| Sulayr Ride | 10 Dec 2023 - 14 Dec 2023 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,026.82 |
|
Book | |
| Sulayr Ride | 2 Mar 2024 - 6 Mar 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,026.82 |
|
Book | |
| Poqueira Ride | 2 Mar 2024 - 6 Mar 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $854.76 |
|
Book | |
| Contraviesa Ride | 9 Mar 2024 - 16 Mar 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,053.64 |
|
Book | |
| Alpujarra Short Break | 17 Mar 2024 - 22 Mar 2024 | 5 nights 5 ngts | $1,459.75 |
|
Book | |
| Poqueira Ride | 23 Mar 2024 - 27 Mar 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $854.76 |
|
Book | |
| Sulayr Ride | 23 Mar 2024 - 27 Mar 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,026.82 |
|
Book | |
| Contraviesa Ride | 6 Apr 2024 - 13 Apr 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,053.64 |
|
Book | |
| Alpujarra Short Break | 18 Apr 2024 - 23 Apr 2024 | 5 nights 5 ngts | $1,459.75 |
|
Book | |
| Poqueira Ride | 24 Apr 2024 - 28 Apr 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $854.76 |
|
Book | |
| Sulayr Ride | 24 Apr 2024 - 28 Apr 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,026.82 |
|
Book | |
| Alpujarra Ride | 5 May 2024 - 12 May 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,053.64 |
|
Book | |
| Alpujarra Short Break | 17 May 2024 - 22 May 2024 | 5 nights 5 ngts | $1,459.75 |
|
Book | |
| Buena Vista | 26 May 2024 - 2 Jun 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,153.55 |
|
Book | |
| Alpujarra Short Break | 8 Jun 2024 - 13 Jun 2024 | 5 nights 5 ngts | $1,459.75 |
|
Book | |
| Alpujarra Ride | 15 Jun 2024 - 22 Jun 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,053.64 |
|
Book | |
| Poqueira Ride | 26 Jun 2024 - 30 Jun 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $854.76 |
|
Book | |
| Sulayr Ride | 26 Jun 2024 - 30 Jun 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,026.82 |
|
Book | |
| Poqueira Ride | 10 Aug 2024 - 14 Aug 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $854.76 |
|
Book | |
| Sulayr Ride | 10 Aug 2024 - 14 Aug 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,026.82 |
|
Book | |
| Alpujarra Short Break | 17 Aug 2024 - 22 Aug 2024 | 5 nights 5 ngts | $1,459.75 |
|
Book | |
| Alpujarra Ride | 24 Aug 2024 - 31 Aug 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,053.64 |
|
Book | |
| Alpujarra Short Break | 7 Sep 2024 - 12 Sep 2024 | 5 nights 5 ngts | $1,459.75 |
|
Book | |
| Poqueira Ride | 14 Sep 2024 - 18 Sep 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $854.76 |
|
Book | |
| Sulayr Ride | 14 Sep 2024 - 18 Sep 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,026.82 |
|
Book | |
| Alpujarra Ride | 21 Sep 2024 - 28 Sep 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,053.64 |
|
Book | |
| Alpujarra Short Break | 5 Oct 2024 - 10 Oct 2024 | 5 nights 5 ngts | $1,459.75 |
|
Book | |
| Poqueira Ride | 12 Oct 2024 - 16 Oct 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $854.76 |
|
Book | |
| Sulayr Ride | 12 Oct 2024 - 16 Oct 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,026.82 |
|
Book | |
| Contraviesa Ride | 19 Oct 2024 - 26 Oct 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,053.64 |
|
Book | |
| Poqueira Ride | 2 Nov 2024 - 6 Nov 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $854.76 |
|
Book | |
| Sulayr Ride | 2 Nov 2024 - 6 Nov 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,026.82 |
|
Book | |
| Alpujarra Short Break | 9 Nov 2024 - 14 Nov 2024 | 5 nights 5 ngts | $1,459.75 |
|
Book | |
| Poqueira Ride | 23 Nov 2024 - 27 Nov 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $854.76 |
|
Book | |
| Sulayr Ride | 23 Nov 2024 - 27 Nov 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,026.82 |
|
Book | |
| Poqueira Ride | 30 Nov 2024 - 4 Dec 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $854.76 |
|
Book | |
| Sulayr Ride | 30 Nov 2024 - 4 Dec 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,026.82 |
|
Book | |
| Poqueira Ride | 14 Dec 2024 - 18 Dec 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $854.76 |
|
Book | |
| Sulayr Ride | 14 Dec 2024 - 18 Dec 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,026.82 |
|
Book |
INCLUDES (if 5 or 7 nights) Accommodation; riding; all meals (dinner on day of arrival through to breakfast on day of departure); return transfers from Malaga at set time.
INCLUDES (if 4 nights) Accommodation; riding; breakfast; lunches when riding; dinner on two nights (Poqueira) or three nights (Sulayr)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT No single supplement if willing to share. A limited number of single rooms are available at a supplement which is payable locally as follows: Contraviesa & Alpujarra Rides - €200; Buena Vista - €175; Alpujarra short break - €150; Sulayr - €115 (2024 €150); Poqueira - €75.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Drinks; tips; small group supplements if applicable; dinner (two nights) on Poqueira and (one night) on Sulayr.
NEAREST AIRPORT Malaga
TRANSFERS Included at a set time from Malaga for all five and seven night itineraries. Transfers are not included for the Poqueira or Sulayr short breaks but can be arranged from Malaga at €55 per person each way at set time - payable locally. Private transfers are also possible from Granada or Malaga.
Transfers from Malaga airport are included in the price for trails of 5 or more nights. Airport transfers for short breaks are payable locally.
The collection time at Malaga is scheduled for 17:00 so you should book a flight with an arrival time before 16:00 to allow for luggage collection. Your return flight should depart from Malaga after 12:00.
The drive from Malaga to Bubion takes about two and a half hours. Private transfers from Malaga and Granada airports may be arranged on request.
These rides are in Andalucia in the highest mountain range in Spain.
Due to the altitude the sun is very strong and it is essential to use sun protection all year. In the evening the temperature drops and even during the summer months a light jumper or jacket is required. In March, April, May and October you should bring warm clothing and waterproofs.
The weather in Spring and Autumn in the mountains can be changeable and it is best to be prepared for all conditions.
The riding was as described in the brochure and on the website. It was not fast because the terrain did not permit this, but we did have at least one long canter every day. The scenery was magnificent, the horses superb (my beautify horse Maximo was a real gentleman, and was very patient with me when I was having to lead him down tricky rocky obtain passes), and even the weather was fantastic - T-shirt weather, while the UK was whipped by wind and rain! There is nothing that could be improved. Great break from the UK winter!
Lynne ,Derbyshire
Overall rating: 5/5
