As the name suggests, on this riding tour you will pass through the highest mountain range in Europe outside the Caucasus and the Alps. The Sierra Nevada is also the southernmost mountain range in Europe and our experienced partner will guide you through the northern and also most unknown part of the Sierra Nevada. It is a national park and a biosphere reserve, which hardly allows any construction work, so you will see mountains in their original form, cross crystal clear mountain streams and every now and then wild animals will cross your path such as mountain goats, wild boars, eagles, vultures and brave bulls grazing peacefully in complete freedom at an altitude of more than 2,000 meters. You ride through fertile valleys and into small, charming villages of Arabic origin, where you admire the white houses and meet friendly people. All this in the middle of a magnificent landscape that has hardly changed for centuries. You will stay in ed 3- and 4-star hotels, which preserve the traditional architecture while offering modern comfort. Our partner, who has been successfully organizing horseback riding tours for 25 years, guarantees you high quality, which is also ensured by the fact that he leads his riding tours himself. Let yourself be enchanted by the snow-covered high peaks, the lush valleys and the untouched landscapes of the Sierra Nevada!

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at the riding centre, where you will discuss the upcoming riding tour. Overnight stay in a comfortable hotel in La Calahorra.

Day 2: La Calahorra - Aldeire - La Calahorra
After breakfast, the horses will be given away. Short test ride on the course. Afterwards you leave La Calahorra behind you and cross a fertile plateau. You climb up to about 2,000 m and cross mountain streams on the so-called glacier path, which people used to use to climb the highest peaks at night with their horses and cut blocks of ice from the glaciers - in former times the only means to preserve food. Picnic by a small river. In the afternoon you will be on the streets of the small Moorish village Aldeire. Overnight stay again in La Calahorra. Riding time about 5 hours.

Day 3: La Calahorra - Cogollos
Today you ride in the Wild West of Andalusia. You will climb up over the great plateau and cross incredible canyons of red clay, reminiscent of the American canyons. Picnic at the lake of Cogollo. If the weather permits, you can also refresh yourself here with a swim! After the siesta you ride on the old trails of the miners and arrive in the Moorish Cogollos. Riding time about 5.5 hours.

Day 4: Cogollos - Río Alhorí - Cogollos
In the morning you will climb the Postero Alto peak, crossing beautiful Mediterranean pine forests and riding along mountain streams. You will follow a path used by the local people to control the more than 4,000 cows and bulls that graze freely in the mountains. Finally, at 1,850 m, you will reach Postero Alto and enjoy the spectacular panoramic view. The landscape reminds you of Canada with its mountain streams and centuries-old chestnut trees. You enjoy the picnic on the banks of the Alhorí. In the afternoon, you will descend to Jerez de Marquesado on cattle drives. Accommodation as the day before. Riding time about 5,5 hours.

Day 5: Cogollos - Valle del Zalabi - Guadix
Today you will ride down into the fertile Zalabí valley with its beautiful gorges of red clay. Many centuries ago the Moors who settled here planted mulberry trees to feed the silkworms. After a picnic by a mountain stream, your route takes you to the pretty medieval town of Guadix, where you will stay in a hotel. Riding time about 6 hours.

Day 6: Cogollos de Guadix - End of the world - Guadix
In the morning, head towards the Alhama River in the eastern part of the park. A landscape in which, due to its amazing similarity to Arizona, many western movies were shot in the 70s - maybe you recognize one or the other location? Overnight stay like the day before. Riding time about 5 hours.

Day 7: Guadix - Cogollos - Guadix
On your unfortunately already last riding day you say goodbye to the beautiful Guadix and ride through a wonderful avenue that leads you directly to the Albuñán plateau. For lunch today you will have a typical paella in a small restaurant in Paulenca. In this special town still live about 4.000 people in cave dwellings. Your hotel is also built into a cave and you will stay here in absolute tranquility and close to nature. Nevertheless, the hotel offers every comfort and you can even take a bath in a heated cave pool! In the afternoon a carriage ride awaits you to the neighbouring caves of Guadix. Your dinner today will be accompanied by a flamenco show. Riding time approx. 3.5-4 hours.

Day 8: Unfortunately, today is farewell and so you will be brought to Granada after an exciting riding tour.

Subject to change at any time. It is possible that the order of the days will change.

Accomodation
You will stay in middle class hotels with shower/WC.

Saddle & Tack: English or trail riding saddles, for longer rides with small saddle bags.

Experience: You should be comfortable and able to control your horse in all gaits and have experience in cross-country, the terrain is challenging now and then and sometimes the horses have to be led on steep passages. Daily riding time between 5 and 7 hours. Max. weight 90kg.

Horses: About 15 lovely and strong Hispano-Arabs and Andalusians.