Exploring the ravines of the Gorafe Badlands
Hiking in the ravines of the Gorafe Desert whilst also filling in some blanks on the map and ascending "Barranco de los Nómadas"
Exploring the ravines of the Gorafe Badlands
Hiking in the ravines of the Gorafe Desert whilst also filling in some blanks on the map and ascending "Barranco de los Nómadas"
Endemic wild flowers living on the west face of Mulhacen
A compilation of the wild flowers that we encountered high up on the west flank of Mulhacen on a recent ascent
Underestimating difficulties on the Buitreras
Describes a very tough and tiring but ultimately exciting and enjoyable romp around Las Buitreras del Durcal. Amazing, spectacular scenery and just 20 minutes drive from home.
PHOTO ALBUM - A spectacular circular hike from the town of Moclin
Traverse of Chullo from Puerta de la Ragua
PHOTO ALBUM - Describes a traverse of Chullo in the eastern Sierra Nevada hills today from the Puerto de la Ragua
Niguelas, Ruta Pavilla and Falla
PHOTO ALBUM - A short walk around Niguelas taking in the Falla Natural Momument and the aerial walkway of the Sendero de Pavilla
PHOTO ALBUM - Fuentes de Conchar. A beautiful, varied and constantly changing walk close to home and enjoyed by all.
The lost refuge of Piedra de los Pajaros
PHOTO ALBUM - A tough, mainly pathless ascent yesterday over Cuna (2292m) to the old cave/refuge at Piedra de los Pajaros (2550m).
Fun, frolics and gymnastics in the eastern Sierra
Describes an eventful and enjoyable Nomads day out exploring the eastern Sierra Nevada hills, situated west of the Puerta de la Ragua
Ruta Boabdil - Beznar, Izbor and Pinos de Valle
PHOTO ALBUM - Linear walk starting at the Beznar Dam and going down the Rio Izbor to Izbor before returning uphill to Pinos de Valle
PHOTO ALBUM - A superb summit which we attained from the village of Prado Negro in the Sierra de Huetor
PHOTO ALBUM - A circular walk in the Sierra de Contraviesa, starting at Sorvillan and going to Polopos before returning
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?
Lolloping along the Lentegi Sky Line
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.
Blondie, Tuco, Indiana and the Demented Desert Dragon Tails
Report about a two day hiking trip into the Tabernas Deserts, Almeria, Spain
Cold fingers in the Contraviesa
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.
The Reluctant Pathbuilder and the Lentegi Circular
Describes a hike around the Lentegi Circular PR440 path in the Sierra de Almijara
Circular around Puerto Jubiley
Interesting circular walk from the Puerto de Jubiley today. Some impassable obstacles en route involved either a change of plan or swimming!
Rio Verde and the Petrified Waterfall
A circular walk around the head of the Rio Verde on a cold and blustery day.
Walking on the Island of La Palma
Just come back from a week long walking holiday to the island of La Palma. We completed 5 of the best hikes the island has to offer and seen some amazing scenery, especially of the volcanic kind.
Nice to be back out with the walking group today. We headed to the autumnal forests of the Sierra de Huetor, north of Granada to explore some new tracks. Gentle hiking in glorious surroundings. Good to be back.
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
Even in August Nature and Beauty prevail
We decided to revisit the quiet and relatively unknown lake of Lagunillo Misterioso, an enchanting place. We would then drop down the streams to see possibly the highest waterfall in the Sierra Nevada, the Chorreras de Molinillo.
Kiersten and I fancied escaping the heat and spending a few hours in the cool air at 3000m. Our target was the upper Guarnón valley below Veleta's northern face, an area of streams and green, lush grasses amid a sea of stones. The area was teeming with nature's sounds, sights and smells.
This was an interesting day. Interesting as it crossed some terrain I have never trodden before, threading the Raspones ridge.
Wet and Windy in the San Juan Valley
A very unseasonal hiking day in Spain's Sierra Nevada which brought welcome relief from the heat of the lower villages
Describes a walk up the quiet and relatively remote peak of Las Alegas above the Alpujarras in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains
Life of Luxury in the Sierra Blanca
A visit to the towns of Monda and Tolox visiting mountains of the Sierra Blanca and waterfalls in the Sierra de las Nieves
Walking into a surreal Martian Landcape
We had an eventful, interesting and ultimately fulfilling day on the western slopes of the Cerro de Caballo a couple of days ago. The route is along the Acequia los Hechos and up to the remote and lonely, hidden lake of Laguna Puesta Cura.
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.
Pico Lopera, a quality ascent of modest altitude
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.
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.
Prado Llano and Refugio Poqueira
Our route to the Refugio Poqueira started at the Hoya del Portillo and ascended through the pine forests to the viewpoint of Puerto Molina. Snow capped peaks surrounded us.
Ruta de los Mineros, Sierra de Lujar
For many years I have gazed south to the rather uninspiring lump of the Sierra de Lujar. This small mountain range nearly 2000m high has never inspired me to walk it's seemingly boring wooded hillsides. A day with the Nomads Walking Group there has changed my opinion
Enjoying the First Snows of Winter - Cortijo Hornillo and Vereda de la Estrella
As we ascended towards our goal at Cortijo Hornillo other mountains came into view, Mulhacen, Puntal de la Caldera and Veta Grande. The white mountains towered over us, ice glinting from their vertical slopes, as we reached the buildings at Cortijo Hornillo
Ups and Downs in the Tajos de Bermejales
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.
Walk the Canada del Senero, Sierra de Huetor
Ascent of Peña de la Cruz, Sierra de Huetor
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?
Describes a rather easy, relaxed coastal walk between La Herradura and Nerja on the Costa Tropical, Spain
Puerto de Frigiliana & Mirador de Agua
We discovered a superb circuit of the Puerto de Frigiliana and the Mirador de Agua. Great views and superb weather despite a cold start.
The Dehesa de Camarate, Lugros
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.
Walk the Los Cahorros de Monachil Gorge, Granada
There's something uniquely satisfying about reading the weather right. 10 minutes after finishing the walk today in the Monachil Gorge the heavens opened. Really good to be back enjoying Los Cahorros near Granada, 15 years since I was last there.
Making a Splash - River walk at Albunuelas, Lecrin Valley
A superb way to spend a hot summers day! Walking up the river gorge outside The village of Albuñuelas in the Lecrin Valley near Granada, Spain.
Cerro de los Machos, Sierra Nevada
Yesterday's trip into the dramatic Corral del Veleta. Still plenty of snow remaining. A steep climb up to the wonderful viewpoint of Cerro de los Machos.
Cerro de Caballo, Sierra Nevada
Yesterdays walk up Europe's most south westerly 3000m peak, the Cerro de Caballo. The old legs feel a bit tired today, my first time at altitude since the heart problems and definitely struggled getting enough oxygen circulating through the body. Must go even slower next time!
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!
Walking in the Footsteps of the Moors in the Alpujarras
Describes a walk alongside ancient irrigation channels originally installed by the Moors high above the town of Lanjaron in the Alpujarra
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