Activities to do
The Rio Chico runs through the village from the often snow-capped high sierras. On a clear day you can see the Mediterranean in the distance. In the village is the oldest churches in La Alpujarra. There are lovely walks down ancient mule tracks in all directions, through olives, almonds, avocado, orange and lemon groves. There are riding stables and a beautiful yoga space down the valley. As the crow flies we are not far from Chris Stewart’s “Driving over Lemons” house. The nearest bar is in the next village, Carataunas, a steep climb up through a ruined village, or a short drive.
The area is irrigated by the old Moorish system of acequias which channel snow melt into the land making the agriculture relatively lush and fertile. The highest mountain in Spain, Mulhacen, and its neighbour Valeta are visible as you drive up the steep hairpin bends that lead to the picturesque white villages of Pampaneira, Bubion and Capileira, where you will find beautiful local crafts and bodegas selling delicious home-made produce such as local hams and wines. Capileira is the gateway to extreme sports and mountain trekking. Further east along the mountain road is Trevelez, the highest inhabited village in Europe.
There are many beautiful walks, waterfalls and opportunities to see some amazing things, such as hiring horses to trek through the nearby mountains or the natural springs baths near Durcal which reach upto 25'C all these spots are in the guide we have put together here.
Further afield - Granada, Skiing, and the Costa Tropical
The coast is 40 minutes drive via the motorway or through a picturesque gorge. At Salobrena, La Guardia beach is the nearest, where there are good beach restaurants (chiringuitos). It is 60 minutes drive to La Herradura and 70 mins to Nerja. In between Salobrena and Nerja there are National Park beaches and coves which are unspoilt with no, or limited facilities. see Best beaches on the Costa Tropical. About two hours away is the National Park beaches of the Cabo de Gata
Granada with its world famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens is considered to be the most beautiful city in Spain. It has an old Moorish quarter, the Albaicin with cobbled streets, souk-like shops, numerous tapas bars and wonderful views of the High Sierras. It is one hour’s drive away through the Lecrin Valley. Here there is culture, history, museums, concerts, flamenco and Lorca heritage sites.
Beyond Granada is the Sierra Nevada Ski resort, Pradollano, which takes 1 1/4 hours drive from Bayacas. You can get ½ day and day passes and hire all the gear. There are 61 km of ski slopes, 45 pistes , 6 off-pistes, 12 chair lifts and 5 ski lifts and besides down hill there is snowboarding, telemark and cross country skiing. Free parking in the summer months for hill walkers. Golf courses can be found 40 mins away on the coast or on the way to Granada. Almeria and the Spaghetti Western film sets are about 1.5 hrs away.
This is the place to be if you want a peaceful holiday in tranquil mountains, with walking, skiing, riding, sightseeing and the beach, reading, eating and breathing in pure mountain air all from an exceptionally beautiful house.
