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Exciting and
varied trail riding from village to village through spectacular mountain
scenery in the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, gentle river valleys,
forests and open grassland. Relaxed, friendly but professional
guides, great hotels, delicious food and wine, beautiful and well-cared
for horses.
On the southern side of the Sierra Nevada, facing the
Mediterranean, is an idyllic collection of dramatic peaks and hanging
valleys known as Las Alpujarras.
Summer - higher
altitude, fabulous views, cool mountain breezes, birdlife, alpine flowers,
more moderate pace but with plenty of fast sections and lazy lunches.
The Ride in the Alpujarra heads up through the high
Alpujarras to take advantage of the cool mountain air and spectacularly
panoramic views. (On a clear day it is possible to see Morocco). During
July and August, the high Alpujarra is one of the few places in Spain that
are still cool enough to ride.
Spring and Autumn -
lower altitude, more time spent in the warm Contraviesa hills, in general
a faster ride. The dates in October visit a bodega for the annual
wine tasting.
On the Ride in the Contraviesa we start in the
Alpujarras and head towards the Sierra de Contraviesa to take advantage of
the warm breezes from the Mediterranean and lush environment of this
beautiful coastal range.
Both rides offer some challenging riding at all paces and are embarked
upon in the same spirit of fun and adventure that has made Andalusia
famous the world over.
The daily itinerary changes and evolves to take advantage of local events,
fiestas and celebrations.
Your luggage is transported to each hotel, - all you need to do is relax
and enjoy the ride.
 IT-SPRT01
Rates: Accommodations with private bath, all meals with fine local
wines, 6 riding days, luggage transfer.
8 days/ 7
nights $ 1,650
Single +$195
-- based on €
1250 / 10
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Contravesia
Code: IT-SPRT01 |
2006:
09/16-09/23 09/30-10/07 10/14-10/21
 check
availability not available in 2007 |
| Alpujarra
Code: IT-SPRT01-A |
2007:
04/07-04/14 04/21-04/28
05/19-05/26
06/02-06/09 08/25-09/01 09/08-09/15
check
availability |
Also see
Short Getaway Rides
Meeting:
Pitres
Airport: Malaga
Transfer:
incl.from Malaga at 4:30 PM - return to Malaga by ~ 11:30 AM
Riding per day: 5-6 hours
Pace: moderate with nice canters
Level:
Strong intermediate for Contraviesa and Intermediate for Alpujarra rides
... riders must be comfortable at walk, trot, and canter.
Tack:
English trekking
Horses:
Andalusian and Hispano Arab
Weight limit: 195 lbs.
Min/Max Riders: 2-8
Note: Elaborate picnics in leafy glades with trees in hammocks,
several different wines, etc.. Average of 320 sunshine days.
Vegetarians can be catered to!
Meals
The Mediterranean picnics are legendary!! We use local (mainly
organic) produce - fresh fish, vegetables and fruit, jamon, cheeses and
wines of the region. Dinner in local restaurants - 3-4 courses, wine
included.
Fortunately, the Mediterranean diet is healthy, plentiful and
extremely tasty. The Alpujarra is particularly renowned for its mountain
air-cured hams, local cheeses, French-style bread and almost every
conceivable vegetable. We also provide wine at lunch and dinner each
night, choosing a different bottle for each meal to ensure that our guests
have the opportunity of sampling at least a small selection of the almost
inexhaustible varieties available.
Lunch is either a picnic prepared and delivered to a suitable spot by
ourselves in the support vehicle, or at a local tapas bar. Those who don’t
eat meat have traditionally had a tough time in Spain, but this is not
true of these rides as we are particularly sympathetic to the needs of
vegetarians.
Accommodations
Comfortable hotels with en
suite facilities - the best in each area and run by their owners.
Fantastic views. Accommodation is in locally owned country hotels
on a twin-share basis. We always try and use those places that reflect the
charm or history of the Alpujarra to the best effect.
What about non-riding companions?
We also run independent
walking holidays where walkers follow a different route using our maps and
route notes, but meet up with the riders in the evening. Like the rides,
the luggage is transported to the next hotel.
Non-riders can deduct ~$350 from the weeklong rates ....
Alpujarra
Watered by the melting snows of Spain’s two highest mountains, this
surprisingly verdant area is criss-crossed with ancient Moorish drovers’
paths and mule tracks (some of which pre-date the Moors by several hundred
years) making it both ideal and spectacular horse riding country. These
hills and valleys were the last redoubt of the Moors before their
expulsion from the Iberian Peninsula in 1610 and their legacy is very much
in evidence in both the architecture and culture. Mountain Ibex and rare
birds flourish in this natural park that also boasts the cleanest air in
Europe.
... more detailed day to
day
Contraviesa
Rising from the Medditeranean Sea, the Contraviesa is a panorama of
undulating hills and pretty whitewashed villages. The rural lifestyle
continues as it has done for hundreds of years with the cultivation of
almonds, figs and grapes for the local wine. Mules and draught animals are
still used to plough the fields and for transport, as many of the farms
and vineyards are inaccessible by car. As with the Alpujarra, the scenery
and vegetation changes with the altitude allowing us to ride through an
ever changing landscape – from the crisp, cool air and blue skies of
alpine forests to the warm balmy breezes of blossom-scented citrus groves.
more detailed day to
day
Both the Alpujarra and Contraviesa have a strangely
magical atmosphere which has traditionally attracted those with a
different slant on life. For centuries, those whose ideas were outside the
mainstream of contemporary thought found refuge here and this remains true
today, with many writers, artists and musicians making there home here.
The high Alpujarras host two Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and nearly every
village boasts miraculous feats of healing each year on Saint’s Day.
Many reasons have been put forward to explain this strange attraction,
from ley lines to physical remoteness. Perhaps it’s simply the combination
of Andalusian charm, beautiful scenery and the cleanest air in Europe.
Whatever the reason, there are few people who visit the Alpujarra who
forget it easily.
One person particularly enamored with the Alpujarra was the English writer
Gerald Brenan who recounts his lifelong fascination with the area, it’s
unique countryside and customs, in his book "South from Granada" – a good
read for anyone planning a visit. A more modern but equally interesting
account of the area is the bestseller "Driving Over Lemons" by ex Genesis
drummer, Chris Stewart. Click the link to see a brief write up.
Weather
With an average of 320 days of sunshine a year, good weather is almost
guaranteed. However, there can be variations in temperature with altitude
and between day and night. The temperatures in February to early May range
from 10 degrees C and 25 degrees C with a possibility of showers. From
mid-May to July and September it ranges between 18 and 30 degrees C and in
August the temperatures can reach 35 degrees. However, riding at altitude
always brings a wonderful fresh breeze and makes these temperatures very
comfortable. In October and November temperatures drop back to between 20
and 25 degrees C and there may be the odd shower. Early mornings and
evenings can be cool even in the summer.
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