The Alpujarra is a range of mountains and valleys of outstanding natural beauty and ecological diversity with a long historic past, (the most influential being the occupation by the Moors some 700 years ago).
Dominated by the Sierra Nevada mountain range with its highest peak (Mulhacen) reaching 3,482m above sea level, the Alpujarras stretch down to the coastal ranges of the Sierra de Lujar, the Sierra de Contraviesa, and touching the Sierra de Gador to the East and finish on the Mediterranean coastline. The area is famous for the wide range of wild life, both flora and fauna and especially the vast number of butterflies
The Alpujarra region was originally occupied by the Romans and later by the Moors when the Christians won Granada from the Moors, forcing them to flee to the area. Upon their arrival, they terraced the valley sides and left their stamp on the landscape. The local architecture is very distinctive. The roofs are flat and constructed of blocks of local material which is then covered with a layer of several inches of slate shards. The beams inside are traditionally chestnut. After the banishment of the Moors, the area fell into much poverty. It was not until the second half of the twentieth century that the fortunes of the Alpujarra began to revive. The popularity of Chris Stewart’s bestselling book Driving Over Lemons has attracted more visitors to the area.
In the mountains the air is the cleanest in Europe and, because of the altitude, the heat in mid-summer is not as oppressive as it can be on the coast. The Alpujarras is also home to the village of Trevelez, which at 1,476 metres is said to be the highest inhabited village in Spain and is famous for its jamon serrano (cured ham).
This area is also a paradise for walking and trekking with a myriad of footpaths snaking their way through the Sierra Nevada. Overnight stops too, are possible with refuges dotted along the way for walkers to shelter in overnight.
This Alpujarra cortijo in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Granada offers very comfortable rental accommodation with wonderful opportunities for walking in the Alpujarra mountains as well as mountain biking, bird-watching, painting and exploring the nearby traditional local villages such as Capileira, Bubion and Pampaneira. It is the perfect place to relax and unwind, spending time by the pool, enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings and sampling the local wines and cuisine in the nearby bars and restaurants, especially the jamon Serrano produced in nearby Trevelez as well as regional artesan made goats cheese and a stunning range of fresh fruit and vegetables during the summer months.
For those who wish to explore further, the cortijos are close historical city of Granada and the world famous Alhambra palace and gardens, as well as the Sierra Nevada ski resort. The cortijos are also over an hours drive from the most beautiful Mediterranean beaches , making it ideal for a day trip to one of the many beautiful beaches nearby. In fact, it would be possible to ski in the morning and swim in the sea a few hours later. It is often said there are only two places on the earth which you can ski and swim in warm waters within an hour; Sierra Nevada in Spain and Sierra Nevada in California!