The ultimate, one-day, adventure treking experience in the Natural Park. Extremely challenging and demanding full-day treks, traversing a multitude of mountain features and environments, to ascend the highest reaches and to see the most beautiful and least explored areas of the Natural Park in exceptionally isolated mountain territory.
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Hiking Time
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>9 hours (includes stops for lunch, breaks, photos, etc.) |
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Hiking Distance
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>25 kilometres |
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Types of Terrain
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All terrain types: unsurfaced forest roads, rough and steep mountain paths, some disused/abandoned forest trails, old drovers paths, traditional mule routes, ancient footpaths, ridge walks, scrambles, scree slopes, high river valley routes, high mountain passes, ascent of worthy peaks (>1500 m) |
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Level of Difficulty
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5 C-E (rating explanation) |
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Hiking Pace
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Masochistically enthusiastic. |
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Facilities
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Usually no facilities until return. Mirages of mountain-top pubs have been known. Refer to specific itinerary for more detail. |
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Observations
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Some night walking involved. Bring headlamps or torches. Refer to specific walk description for more details. |
Get ready and be prepared: on these treks, you will reach the farthest, deepest and highest into the wilds of the sierras! Intended only for the fittest, most versatile and well-seasoned hiking and trekking enthusiasts. These treks are very long, very hard and gruelling, and can sometimes last up to 10 hours or more, depending on circumstances. An excellent level of fitness is therefore paramount. The pace is animated but always measured. You will be trekking through extremely challenging mountain terrain and environments as we move through deep river valleys, traversing high slopes, scurrying beneath towering crags, and ascending the highest peaks of the Natural Park. The Adventure Treks will take us into very isolated areas of the sierras with minimal contact with other hikers. Coming well-prepared and equipped is important. This is adventure trekking at its finest.
Traversing the stark, rugged and sheer terrain of the high sierras means that the paths, more often than not, are steep, narrow and dangerously precipitous; in some instances there are no paths at all, as may sometimes occur when having to cross a large scree field on a slope or ridge, or where the path may simply be lost through disuse and has become overgrown! Winter trekking in these high mountain domains is especially amazing and rewarding; the great sense of adventure that you will experience as you explore this truly yet undiscovered wilderness and hiking mecca in Andalucía will be heightened by the sheer spectacle of the surroundings: you would be forgiven, at any moment, for believing that you were in the Alps or Scottish Highlands.
If you forget to bring your camera or neglect to ensure that your camera batteries are fully charged the night before your big day, you will definitely kick yourself for the rest of your trip. On these treks you will almost certainly see the iconic Iberian ibex, and a good chance at spotting some of the elusive species of birds of prey as these treks take us straight to the heart of their preferred habitat. Depending on the particular peak that we summit, you should also be able to see at least one of the more geographically prominent and famous Natural and National Parks of Andalucía, such as the Sierra Mágina (Jaén), the Serranía de Ronda (Málaga) or the mighty Sierra Nevada (Granada). Extremely fortuitous meteorological conditions may allow you to see the impressive Atlas mountains (North Africa) on the most opportune of days.
The mountains are inhabited by many different and fascinating species of animals and plants, some of them in danger of extinction. In my experience, on most outings there is almost every possibility that you will see the iconic Iberian wild mountain goat, or Iberian ibex. This is especially true if the hiking route follows high and rough ground where crags, steep slopes and almost inaccessible and isolated ground predominates, as is the case on all of Adventure Treks, for this is the mountain goats’ preferred terrain. To a far lesser extent, there also exists a rare chance at spotting deer, which will be dependent on specific treks. Also in the high sierras, but notoriously shy and reclusive, particularly during the day, you may nonetheless be lucky to catch a glimpse of a fox, genet, mountain cat, wild boar or red squirrel, just to name a few. Bird lovers would be pleased to know, however, that there is some chance at spotting the Griffon vulture, Bonelli’s eagle, Golden eagle, Common kestrel, Peregrine falcon and the Eurasian eagle-owl, among others. Depending on the time of year, you may see smaller birds such as the swift, wood pigeon, blackbird, European goldfinch, meadow pipit, hoopoe, Eurasian skylark, whitethroat, red-billed chough, among others.
The truly spectacular experience of the Adventure Treks make this the ultimate in big hiking and trekking adventure in the Sierra Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park. The incidence of the Park’s relative lack of acclaim, when pitted against the more prominent and popular Natural Parks of Andalucía, is certainly not representative of its potential to amaze and deliver on providing a spectacular experience. Don’t let its apparent lack of popularity fool you; this is as good as it gets as anywhere else!
JAVIER’S WORD OF CAUTION: If you would like to participate on an Adventure Trek, it is important that immediately prior to coming to Andalucía, you will have been regularly hiking on relatively long hikes and treks. We will be traversing multiple mountain environments, in extremely demanding terrain and conditions, for extended periods of time. It is imperative that participants on the Adventure Treks have an excellent level of fitness and are physically up to the challenge. It is also vitally important, regardless of your level of fitness, that you take into consideration the climate and prevailing weather conditions for the time of year that you intend to participate on the Adventure Treks. The climate and weather will be the two most critical and influential factors affecting your perceived level of fitness and endurance. Hiking and trekking in the extreme environments of the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park during the warmer months of the year can be potentially dangerous if one is not properly prepared.
The Adventure Treks
11 Km
>8 Hrs
5-C
A big walk requiring will, stamina and a good pair of legs. Ascend the highest peak in the Sierra Almijara, Navachica (1832m), and prepare your senses to be assailed by the virtues of this impressive location. More Info >>
20 Km
>9 hours
5 B – E
One of the shorter treks, but also one of the most demanding and difficult treks that will test even the most hardy and seasoned of hikers. Ascend one of the most emblematic and iconic peaks of the Sierra Almijara and Mediterranean coastline with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and coast. More Info >>