Horse Riding Holidays in Andalucia: La Alpujarra Ride

Transfer from Málaga airport to the village of Bubión in the picturesque Poqueira Valley where you will be met by your trek organiser and guide, Dallas Love.

Dinner with Dallas and your companion riders at a local restaurant before spending your first night in a comfortable village hostel.

After choosing your horse, we set off east for Trevélez, the highest village in Spain and famous for its cured hams and river trout. We take the old bridlepath down to the villages of Pitres and Pórtugos and, after lunch, climb 800 metres through Moorish terraces and chestnut groves until we reach the broad forest track which leads us on to Trevélez.

There are opportunities to canter or gallop during the afternoon. We spend the night at a hotel situated in the old quarter of the village.

A different day, a totally different terrain! Up a very steep and rocky path, through pine forests and high summer pastures to a heady altitude of 2,500 metres.

On a clear day it is possible to look south across the sea to Morocco and north to the highest mountain peak in Spain. Picnic lunch en route.

Then the descent (ultimately rough and we have to lead the horses) to the village of Bérchules, where we will overnight in a very comfortable, family-run hotel.

Bérchules takes its name from the old Spanish word "Berchel", meaning "mountain garden". As we follow the ancient Moorish bridlepaths through terraced orchards and fields, it is easy to understand how the area came by its name. We rest by the river for a picnic lunch.

We return along one of the Sierra's wide forest tracks which provides plenty of opportunities for trots and canters. And thus back to Bérchules for a second night in the village.

Taking our leave of Bérchules and the alpline-like sierras, we descend to the River Guadalfeo. The landscape softens as we ride alongside small terraces of olive, almond and fig trees. With the sun reaching its height, we climb up through a spectacular gorge to the village of Júviles, where we stop for lunch.

In the afternoon we commence the long, gentle climb up to Trevélez. During the final, steep, 30 minute descent into the village it is necessary to lead the horses.

We spend the night here, again in the old quarter.

Today is a short (but fast) ride. A forestry track takes us through pine and oak woods, back to the stables high above the white villages of the Poqueira Ravine. This route not only offers breathtaking views over the southern Contraviesa mountains and the Mediterranean beyond but many opportunities for canters, too. We enjoy a late lunch on arrival in Capileira and the rest of your day is free.

Dinner is not included on this evening so you have a free hand to select a local restaurant of your choice. We spend the night in Bubión.

On our last riding day we explore the far reaches and hidden beauties of the Poqueira Ravine.

With Mulhacén, the highest peak in Spain, forming the backdrop, this valley is the showpiece of the Alpujarra.

Tonight we are back in Bubión for a farewell dinner.

We wish you a fond goodbye and return you to Málaga airport for your homebound flight. With lots of great memories of authentic Andalucía at its very best.