Sierra Nevada - Andalucia

Sierra Nevada

National Park, Nature Park and
Las Alpujarras

The Sierra Nevada Nature Park, incorporating the largest National Park in Spain, has so much more to offer than just its winter ski resorts. In the remaining seasons the mountainous landscapes change from white to varying shades of green, accredited to the rows of woodlands, mostly Holm oaks, chestnut trees and repopulated conifers. Frozen ice glaciers liquefy into mountain lakes, melted snow forms into rivers that cascade down the mountainside ravines, and the area comes alive with all kinds of animal and bird species. The easiest mammals to spot are the Ibex mountain goats, though it is possible to observe wild boar, badgers, wildcats, lizards and snakes, and the region has a large bird population including the characteristic mountain giants such as the Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle and the Griffon Vulture. With over 2000 different plant species, many endemic to the area, the Sierra Nevada mountains are also home to an enormous variety of butterflies.
In the province of Almeria the northern limits of the Sierra Nevada Nature Park, in the foothills of the mountain range, include the districts of Abla, Abrucena, Alsodux, Fiñana, Las Tres Villas and Nacimiento. The southern slopes include the hillside villages of Alboloduy, Bayarcal, Ohanes, and Paterna del Rio, and further down the mountains, still within the parks southern limits, are the valley villages of the region known as Las Alpujarras (or La Alpujarra) and include the municipalities of Alhabia, Almocita, Beires, Bentarique, Canjayar, Fondon, Illar, Instincion, Lujar de Andarax, Padules, and Ragol.
The Alpujarra valleys of Almeria are formed from both the Sierra Nevada in the north and the Sierra Gador to the south, the fertile landscapes, made so from the melted snow and ice that flow down the mountain river paths, are characterised by traditional whitewashed farming villages and a countryside abundant in cultivated terraces of fruit trees, mainly oranges, lemons, figs, olives, almonds and grape vines. The region is Almerias largest producer of wine and is also known for its quality Jamon Serrano, the cool, clean air providing ideal conditions for the curing of the ham.
Las Alpujarras also extends into the province of Granada, in Almeria the valleys follow the route of the river Andarax.
I just have to mention, at this point, that the river Andarax actually has flowing water, now that might sound like a strange comment, but, this was the first encounter of a flowing river I have seen in Almeria province, and very exciting it was too! Aside from the occasional flash flood in winter, the riverbeds throughout the province are generally dry.

The A-348 main road through the valley provides a gateway to all the villages of the Alpujarras, the route itself has fabulous views up to the Nevada peaks, which can still be snow capped in the summertime.
The captivating surroundings of the Nature Park make it popular for all types of recreational outdoor activities such as nature walking, hiking, fishing, mountaineering, cycling, mountain biking, art and photography, and the villages offer traditional, historical and cultural experiences for the visitor. Not surprisingly the region makes an ideal destination for rural holidays, day trips and excursions, and for some this is a location for relocation, an away from it all haven for a rural lifestyle.

• Sendero - walking route
• Area Recreativa - recreational area
• Mirador - viewing point
• Refugio - rural casa / accommodation

Puerto de la Ragua Ski Station

Sierra Nevada Nature Park, Almeria - Granada

The pristine and uncrowded cross country winter ski station and recreational area of Puerto de la Ragua is situated in a natural mountain pass at 2000m above sea level between the provinces of Almeria and Granada. The station is surrounded by the natural landscapes of the Sierra Nevada nature reserve, to the south lie the valley villages of the Alpujarras, to the north the contrasting mountain villages of the Marquesado del Zenete plateau, in the east is the Morron del Hornillo at 2335m and to the west the Chullo peak, the highest in Almeria, at 2611m above sea level.
A year round destination, the recreation centre offers a wide range of outdoor activities for all the seasons, including hiking, mountain biking, orienteering, and horse riding, and in the winter months dog sledding and of course cross country skiing, all in majestic mountain settings that cannot fail to inspire and impress.
Refugio Albergue, a pretty wooden chalet style building, provides accommodation, equipment rental and all the information needed to enjoy the numerous activities. Maps of the area are available from the reception detailing the ski runs, walking routes, mountain biking trails etc... including the miradors from where there are extra special panoramas to be viewed.
Access to the area can be achieved from both the north and south of the Nevada mountain range, along the A-337.
I visited the centre in September, before the snowfall of winter, preferring to take the drive without the concern of snow and ice, though I did miss out on the spectacular snowy settings that I have seen in photographs, I was still impressed and amazed by the beautiful countryside. I have to say I can highly recommend this route as a day trip through the mountains, though I suspect that you would want to return for further visits, whether that be to the centre itself or the many beautiful villages en route.

Driving route to Puerta de la Ragua

The road and route to Puerta de la Ragua is signposted from the Almeriense Alpujarra valley village of Laujar de Andarax, it passes through the mountainside villages of Paterna del Rio and Bayarcal along the ALP-612 before joining the the A-337, which then continues all the way to and through Puerta de la Ragua and onto the mountain villages of the Marquesado del Zenete plateau until it meets the A-92 between Guadix in Granada and Fiñana in Almeria. Of course this route can also be reversed and Puerta de la Ragua could be approached from the north rather than the south.
It is also possible to access Puerta de la Ragua just over the border in Granada, from the Alpujarra village of Cherin, and via the hillside villages of Picena and Laroles, on the direct route of the A-337.
Although I do have a fear of heights, this was certainly not as steep or scary a drive as I expected considering the altitudes, up to the centre itself was mostly very gradual and gave me plenty of opportunities to admire the most miraculous views. There was still some snow on the mountain peaks, I felt almost level with them too, and the villages below me were just pretty white dots that had seemed high up in the mountains when viewed from the Alpujarra valley below. At one point I was totally enchanted by a soaring eagle that seemed to follow me along part of the way.
The ever changing scenery of the Sierra Nevada, its green and golden rocky terrain, snow covered in winter time, accentuates the variety of the natural landscapes that Almeria can offer, there is a desert less than a two hour drive away, phenomenal.

External links
Provided to help visitors make the most of the area. The links will open in a separate page.

Puerta de la Ragua website, offers further information and photographs, though details are only available in Spanish.

Sierra Nevada Ski Resort Granada

The Sierra Nevada Ski Centre in Granada, in the municipal district of Monachil, is one of Europes leading winter sports destinations. Pradollano, the highest town in Spain at 2100m, is the main resort town, there are numerous hotels and shops and, as one would expect, it offers plenty of resort facilities for the apres ski such as restaurants, pubs and bars. With virtually guaranteed sunshine, and the best spring snow conditions in Europe, the ski season is relatively long. Traditionally the season starts around the end of November and runs through to the end of April or even into the first week of May.
Attracting skiers of every level, from complete beginners to experienced professionals, the slopes have numerous green and blue pistes for novice to intermediate skiers and some challenging red and black runs for the intermediate to advanced skier. Sierra Nevada is recognised by national and international organisations as a resort which is accessible to all, with equipment in place to enable sports people with disabilities to enjoy the snow and the mountains.
Snow boarders are well catered for at the Sulayr Superpark in Montebajo, the exciting terrain is aimed at snow boarding and freestyle enthusiasts, both novice and expert, offering an outstanding stage to practise and perfect the athletic feats.
The Mirlo Blanco recreational area is an amusement park for enjoying the snow in different ways, guaranteeing fun for all the family.The attractions include an ecological ice rink, toboggan runs, sleigh rides, sit skiing, skate skiing and ski bobbing...
Outside of the winter months the resort hotels and restaurants stay open to cater for the sin* snow season, the breathtaking scenery and resort attractions of the national park continue to attract plenty of visitors and the mountains become home to nature walkers, hikers, cyclists and horseback riders, right through to the next ski season.
* sin translates as without in Spanish.
For holidays or adventure trips the year round resort of Sierra Nevada offers some amazing experiences amid unforgettable and changing landscapes, one visit will almost surely lead to many more.

External link
Provided to help visitors make the most of the area. The link will open in a separate page.

The British Ski Centre sierranevada.co.uk is located on site and has further information to help you enjoy the ski resort and its amenities.