Just had to be my luck, didn't it? My first time hiking in the Gorafe Desert Badlands and temperatures were forecast to be below freezing. Now in my eyes, the words "Desert" and "Freezing" shouldn't go together. "Hot" and "Desert", that would surely be the norm, wouldn't it?
Describes a linear walk along the intricate and quiet hill ridges lying between the villages of Lentegi and Albuñuelas in the Sierra de Almijara, south of Spain.
The "beast from the north" had arrived and the weather was turning colder. The high mountains were out, so we headed for the lower Sierra de Contraviesa hills.
Life on the edge! Today we've been climbing mountains again. This time the superb summit of Corazon de la Sandia (1885m) on the Alayos de Dilar ridge. Proves you don't always have to climb the highest mountains to get the best thrills!
Photos from yesterdays ascent of El Fuerte outside Frigiliana. A tough ascent followed by a scrambling descent of it's SW ridge which at times involved combined "tarzan-like" tactics to overcome
After a recent period of inactivity, due to having a pacemaker fitted, it was good to get back out on the warm limestone rock of the Peñon de la Mata and feel the exposure.
A chain across the dirt track halted our walking plan for the day. Instead we had to look for an alternative. As in many cases like this, the alternative turned out to be superb! The peak of Boca de la Pesca, located in the Cumbres Verdes just 15 minutes from Granada.
Photos from the trip into the Sierra Mágina over the last couple of days. A lovely, compact and interesting mountain range largely overlooked by foreigners. We saw only 1 other hiker in 2 days of wandering here.
Cerro Huenes group, an unknown gem in the Cumbres Verdes
The Cumbres Verdes range south of Granada is very accessible. Most people head for the deserved reigning peak of the range, the spectacular, Trevenque. However there is a really nice hike just as accessible. This is round the Cerro Huenes group.
After nearly two months having a pacemaker implant and then recovering from it, I was finally able to get out with the walking group again. We chose Pico Lopera, a modest peak in the north of the Sierra de Almijara.
Kiersten & the Pendulum - Via Ferrata John Hogbin, Zafarraya
Well, that day was different. A first visit for me to the Via Ferrata paradise that is found at John Hogbin, Zafarraya. Lots of steep ladders (some decidedly more wobbly than others), Tyrolean Traverses, rungs, zip wires and cable bridges to negotiate. All good, clean and exposed fun in the sun!
It was a cold, clear morning as a large band of Nomads congregated at the car park at the town of Pantano de Bermejales. Today was a first for all of us, a trip down the river gorge of the Tajos de Bermejales, northwards towards the town of Cacin.
Out of the Shadows and into the Sun - ascent of La Maroma, Sierra de Tejeda
Describes an ascent of La Moroma in the Sierra de Tejeda - We drove to La Robledal where we commenced our ascent. We knew this would be a tough day with over 1000m ascent. The initial forest tracks were easy enough, but shortly we left these behind and took to an ever steepening mountain track.
We headed to the Sierra de Huetor just north of Granada. There was a peak there that I had seen many times from the A92 motorway during my years in Spain. It is called the Penon de la Cruz. I never climbed it before because, quite frankly, it looked a bit uninteresting and boring. How wrong was I?
Photos from yesterdays walk in the beautiful Dehesa de Camarate near Lugros. We were a bit early for the October explosion of autumnal colours but a nice walk nevertheless.
Exploring Andalucia with the Nomads - the first 11 trips
During the onset of the Covid crisis in 2020, I decided to form a small local walking group. The objective was simple, weekly walking & meeting people once lock down restrictions were lifted. I named the group "Alpujarra Nomads". We go all over Andalucia in our search for nature & mountains!