The beautiful City of Granada is an ideal base for exploring the Sierra Nevada and the lovely nature walks of the Las Alpujarras region. Three times a day a bus from operator ALSA leaves Granada city centre for the charming mountain villages that cling to the majestic, rugged terrain that makes up the Sierra Nevada. The winding roads that scale these mountains can be rather challenging for drivers and just as spine tingling for bus passengers. But the views are simply breath-taking, so well worth a few moments of anxiety!
Sierra Nevada Weekend Break
The 235 km or 145 mile trip from Granada to Puente de Tablate is ideal for a leisurely weekend break. The best time to go on this scenic drive is from spring to autumn. In winter, the Puerto de la Ragua road, where the pass leads across the mountains, can be inaccessible. Some of the highlights en route include the cave houses at Gaudix, a short drive outside of Granada, and the Castillo de la Calahorra, a splendid Renaissance castle. The gentle slopes of the lush Las Alpujarras region are ideal for hiking and mountain biking and the three best villages to use as a base for a long weekend break are Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira.
These delightful villages are not just offering visitors amazing views over the Poqueira Valley, clinging to the side of the Barrandco de Poqueira gorge which lies some 20 km to the northeast of Órgiva. Stacked one above the other in the most dramatic of settings, they are also great places for picking up traditional arts and crafts at a reasonable price. All three villages boast charming restaurants and overnight accommodation.
The A4129 route leads to Bubión and Capileira, the A4132 leads to Pampaneira. Capileira marks the end point for the road that can be driven independently. From here visitors must take the National Park mini-bus that will take them into the magnificent Sierra Nevada National Park.
Islamic Heritage
Their flat-roofed houses sport a distinct Moroccan style that dates back to the Moorish occupation of Spain. The architecture resembles the type of houses Berbers erected in early medieval times. This heritage is also reflected in the roughly woven blankets and rugs sold by local artisans in Pampaneira. In Bubión this folk heritage is lovingly displayed at the Casa Alpujarrena in Calle Real. The GR7 cross-continental hiking route traverses the village, which is why this is a favourite stop-over for serious hikers.
The largest of the three villages is Capileira, which is arguably also the most picturesque village in this region. Here one finds far more restaurants and overnight accommodation, but also high-quality leather goods, for which the village has a long-standing tradition.
How to get there
ALSA buses from central Granada leave at 10 am, noon and 4.30 pm, taking in all three villages, calling first at Lanjaron, about one hour’s drive from Granada, then stopping at Orgiva, Pampaneira, a two hour drive, then Bubion about 15 minutes later. Capileira is located 2.5 hours’ drive from Granada. The bus then stops at Pitres and Spain’s highest town: Treverez, which lies at an altitude of 1,40 metres above sea level along the A4132 route. Three daily buses return to Granada at 6.15 am, 4.00 pm and 5.30 pm. Trevelez lies 3.25 hours’ drive from the city centre.
If visiting Puente de Tablate, take the A348 route from Lanjaron, a somewhat hair-raising winding mountain road. At the bottom of the hill the spectacular setting of the little white-washed down unfolds. Puente de Tablate boasts three bridges, of which the oldest, the Puente Nazari, dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries. It’s a quiet, peaceful place with narrow, winding streets where time seems to stand still and nothing much happens. Just the place to unwind with a glass of something cold and refreshing and a platter of tapas!