Sierra Alhamilla
Almeria - Andalucia - Southern Spain
The Sierra Alhamilla mountains offer unique landscapes for outdoor adventures in nature with much history and culture appreciable 
in the hillside villages.
Alhamilla mountain range
An arid and sparsely populated mountain range located between the Desert of Tabernas to the north, and the coast of Almeria to the south. A surprising destination for excursions and day trips, yet highly unique and brimming with adventure.
A protected natural area, there is an outstanding variety of bird species to be spotted, the mountains are best appreciated on the exhilarating walking and cycling routes, including trails to the Colativi peak, the highest point of the range at 1387m above sea level.
Quick links - Alhamilla:
- Baños de Alhamilla natural spring and beauty spot
- El Chorrillo de Alhamilla movie location
Choose Sierra Alhamilla for mountain adventures
Excursions and day trips, mountain trails, bird watching, paragliding...
Exploring the Sierra Alhamilla
There are several entry points into the mountains, firstly, by vehicle or cycling, the AL-102, from the hillside village of Lucainena de las Torres to the valley village of Nijar, is a prime route to sample the spectacular scenery and offers access to some of the walking and cycling trails from Lucainena de las Torres village.
To maximise the views along this roadway I recommend starting in Lucainena, a very pretty Andalucian mountain pueblo located in the Alhamilla foothills, signposted from the N-340a Sorbas to Tabernas highway. 
The AL-102 will take you to the village and beyond, as it climbs it way up and around the mountains, eventually descending into the equally picturesque village of Nijar in the southern foothills. I must say, the twists and turns of the climb are a little hair raising, while the road is not overly narrow, it is very high up and there are no barriers along the edge of the road for most of the way. Definitely worthwhile though, even my fear of heights did not prevent me from admiring the scenery.
Lucainena de las Torres village Sierra Alhamilla 
Baños de Sierra Alhamilla
In the south west of Sierra Alhamilla, at an altitude of 460m above sea level, is the natural hot spring and beauty spot of Baños de Alhamilla. Used by several civilisations, spanning many centuries, the thermal mineral water from the spring was the source for a former Roman baths which was also, much later, utilised by the Arabs. Today the site is 
home to a spa hotel and restaurant, and a couple of traditional Spanish tapas bars, all are set within a secluded sanctuary of palm trees. The main attraction, besides the mountainside location, has to be the fabulous views down the mountain with far reaching vistas over the 
Andarax valley and down to the coast.
After the winding ascent through the foothills of the sierra, the final turn unfolds the destination, and I have to say, wow, what a contrast, from arid hillsides to a mountain oasis, this is a lovely spot, perfect for a meal or tapas in both beautiful and unique surroundings.
Los Baños Sierra Alhamilla is located from the A-92 at junction 387 following the sign for Sierra Alhamilla along the ALP-816 for approximately 6km.
External link
Provided to help visitors make the most of the area. The link will open in a separate page.
Hotel Spa Balneario Sierra Alhamilla, the website is only available in Spanish.
Chorrillo de Pechina de Alhamilla
On the outer edge of the Tabernas desert in foothills of the Alhamilla the Paraje El Chorrillo beauty spot is noted for its desert like landscape, scattered with pine, eucalyptus and palm trees, and also its prominent mountainous backdrop, qualities that have, in very recent times, attracted a big budget American movie, followed by a popular American fantasy drama series, to use the location as scenes for their filming. 
In October 2013 the crew and cast of the Ridley Scott Movie Exodus - Gods and Kings invaded the area and untilised the landscape and old farm houses to create the appearance of a Jewish neighbourhood in an Egyptian city.
October 2015 finds the same location being used by the drama series Game of Thrones which is in its 6th season and has a huge international fan base.
El Chorillo Sierra Alhamilla is found from the A-92 at junction 387 following the sign for Sierra Alhamilla along the ALP-816 for approximately 4km heading in the direction of Baños de Alhamilla.
Further explorations of Sierra Alhamilla
Further access to the mountains can be achieved from the hillside villages of Turrillas and Huebro and the desert village of Tabernas, 
all offer a different walking or mountain biking route to the Colativi peak.
The GR-140 Gran Recorrido signposted walking trail, which starts in the Sierra Nevada and ends in the Parque Natural Cabo de Gata on the coast of Almeria, includes a section in the Alhamilla mountains. This part of the route starts from Tabernas, in the desert valleys to the north west of the mountains, a voyage of mountain discovery it includes the ascent to Pico Colativi and is completed in Nijar village in the valley on the southern slopes of the range.
Walking trails in Sierra Alhamilla
For the really adventurous Sierra Alhamilla is a popular paragliding launch, having a take off point close to the Baños de Sierra Alhamilla, flights follow a south east direction towards the Mediterranean sea.
The Sierras of Almeria
