Hiking in southern Granada
From village paths above the Guadalfeo to the high Sierra Nevada: choose by level, check official data, and go prepared.
✓ Facts checked on 8 November 2026
Five landscapes for walking
Vélez de Benaudalla and the Sierra de Lújar foothills
Paths start in the village and climb towards springs, old farmhouses and abandoned lead mines on the slopes of the Sierra de Lújar. Published as descriptions by the town hall, without distances or times.
The Guadalfeo river
A riverside route leads to La Explanación, the “Playa de Vélez” recreation area. Downstream, the Tajo de los Vados is a canyon and caving area, not a hiking trail.
The Alpujarra
Official loops link the villages of the Poqueira gorge (Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira) on old paths between terraces and chestnut trees.
Sierra Nevada
From Lanjarón, an official trail climbs steeply into the mountains, and the GR-240 Sulayr circles the whole massif in 19 stages. This is high-mountain terrain.
The Costa Tropical
Motril and Salobreña publish low-altitude routes along sea cliffs, through the Guadalfeo plain and up the hills behind the coast, with distance, time and grade.
Choose by level
| Level | What it means here | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Village walks | Routes from the village on streets, tracks and paths; no official grade or figures published | Ruta del Nacimiento, La Explanación (Vélez de Benaudalla) |
| Medium | Official grade “medium”: several hours, a few hundred metres of height difference, uneven paths | Pueblos del Poqueira, La Cebadilla |
| High | Official grade “high”: long, steep climbs with little shade | Lanjarón – Tello |
| High mountain | Remote terrain on the Sulayr; the official guide requires mountain experience or a guide; snow and ice possible in winter above 2,000 m | GR-240 Sulayr stages 3 and 4 |
The Haza del Señor route and the mining path in Vélez de Benaudalla are not “easy” even though no grade is published: the town hall calls the first “a hard stage”, and the second is unsignposted.
Trails with official data
These trails are published by the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition (MITECO, Sierra Nevada National Park) or the Junta de Andalucía. Figures are copied from those sources; check them again before you go, as paths and conditions change.
Comparison of trails with official data
| Trail | Area | Route type | Distance | Time (official) | Altitude / Elevation | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sendero Pueblos del Poqueira | Alpujarra | Loop | 9.4 km | 3 h 30 min | 1,008–1,388 m | Medium |
| Sendero La Cebadilla | Alpujarra | Loop | 7.5 km | 4 h | 1,290–1,605 m | Medium |
| Sendero Lanjarón – Tello | Sierra Nevada | Linear (one way) | 5.6 km | 4 h | 654–1,546 m | High |
| GR-240 Sulayr · Tramo 3: Rinconada de Nigüelas – Tello | Sierra Nevada | Linear (one way) | 14.5 km | 4 h 30 min (5 h 30 min in reverse) | +10 m ascent · −624 m descent | High mountain |
| GR-240 Sulayr · Tramo 4: Tello – Puente Palo | Sierra Nevada | Linear (one way) | 8.7 km | 3 h | +330 m ascent · −116 m descent | High mountain |
Official trailheads
Only start points whose coordinates are published by the official source are shown. The Vélez de Benaudalla routes all start from the Plaza de la Constitución.
© OpenStreetMap · MITECO, Junta de Andalucía · Open data (JSON)
Alpujarra · Official data
Sendero Pueblos del Poqueira
Official loop through the three villages of the Poqueira gorge (Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira) in the Sierra Nevada National Park area.
- Route type
- Loop
- Distance
- 9.4 km
- Time (official)
- 3 h 30 min
- Elevation
- 380 m between lowest and highest point
- Altitude
- 1,008–1,388 m
- Difficulty
- Official grade: medium (level 2).
- Start
- Upper Pampaneira, at the start of the old path to Bubión
- Terrain
- Old paths, uneven or stepped in places.
- Water
- Carry drinking water; check that fountain water is safe to drink.
- Shade
- Limited
- Permit
- Not required
Source: MITECO · Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada, Sendero Pueblos del Poqueira · Checked 2026-11-08
Alpujarra · Official data
Sendero La Cebadilla
Official loop from upper Capileira along the Poqueira valley towards La Cebadilla, in the Sierra Nevada National Park area.
- Route type
- Loop
- Distance
- 7.5 km
- Time (official)
- 4 h
- Elevation
- 315 m between lowest and highest point
- Altitude
- 1,290–1,605 m
- Difficulty
- Official grade: medium (level 2).
- Start
- Capileira, upper Barrio del Castillo, on the road to La Cebadilla
- Terrain
- Path or track.
- Water
- Carry drinking water; check that fountain water is safe to drink.
- Shade
- Limited
- Permit
- Not required
Source: MITECO · Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada, Sendero La Cebadilla · Checked 2026-11-08
Sierra Nevada · Official data
Sendero Lanjarón – Tello
Official linear trail climbing from Lanjarón into Sierra Nevada, with chestnut groves, scrub, riverside vegetation and wide views.
- Route type
- Linear (one way)
- Distance
- 5.6 km · One way.
- Time (official)
- 4 h
- Elevation
- 892 m between lowest and highest point
- Altitude
- 654–1,546 m
- Difficulty
- Official grade: high.
- Start
- Lanjarón
- Finish
- Tello
- Terrain
- Footpath and rocky tracks.
- Water
- Carry drinking water; check that fountain water is safe to drink.
- Shade
- Limited
- Permit
- Not required
- Official grade “high”: nearly 900 m between lowest and highest point, one way.
Source: Junta de Andalucía · Sendero Lanjarón-Tello · Checked 2026-11-08
Sierra Nevada · Official data
GR-240 Sulayr · Tramo 3: Rinconada de Nigüelas – Tello
Stage of the Sulayr, the long-distance trail that circles Sierra Nevada (19 stages, over 300 km), mostly on forest track down the Barranco del Río Lanjarón.
- Route type
- Linear (one way)
- Distance
- 14.5 km
- Time (official)
- 4 h 30 min (5 h 30 min in reverse)
- Elevation
- +10 m ascent · −624 m descent
- Difficulty
- High-mountain stage; the official guide requires mountain experience or a guide.
- Start
- Rinconada de Nigüelas (about 2,150 m)
- Finish
- Tello (about 1,550 m)
- Terrain
- Mostly forest track.
- Waymarking
- GR white-and-red waymarks.
- Water
- Springs exist but potability is not guaranteed.
- Season
- First half of autumn is ideal for the Sulayr; snow or ice possible above 2,000 m in winter.
- High-mountain terrain far from villages: mountain experience (or a guide), good fitness, map/compass/GPS and weather check required. Snow or ice possible above 2,000 m in winter.
Source: Junta de Andalucía · GR-240 Sulayr guide · Checked 2026-11-08
Sierra Nevada · Official data
GR-240 Sulayr · Tramo 4: Tello – Puente Palo
Stage of the Sulayr above the Alpujarra villages of Lanjarón, Cáñar and Soportújar.
- Route type
- Linear (one way)
- Distance
- 8.7 km
- Time (official)
- 3 h
- Elevation
- +330 m ascent · −116 m descent
- Difficulty
- High-mountain long-distance trail; the official guide requires mountain experience or a guide.
- Start
- Tello
- Finish
- Puente Palo
- Terrain
- Forest tracks and mountain paths.
- Waymarking
- GR white-and-red waymarks.
- Water
- Springs exist but potability is not guaranteed.
- Season
- First half of autumn is ideal for the Sulayr.
- High-mountain terrain far from villages: mountain experience (or a guide), good fitness, map/compass/GPS and weather check required. Snow or ice possible above 2,000 m in winter.
Source: Junta de Andalucía · GR-240 Sulayr guide · Checked 2026-11-08
Alpujarra · Route description
GR-142 Sendero de la Alpujarra
Long-distance trail across the south face of Sierra Nevada, through the provinces of Granada and Almería, starting or ending in Lanjarón and continuing through Órgiva along the Guadalfeo.
- Route type
- Linear (one way)
- Start
- Lanjarón (or end, depending on direction)
- Waymarking
- GR white-and-red waymarks.
Source: Andalucía.org · Alpujarra Trail GR-142 · Checked 2026-11-08
Walking from Vélez de Benaudalla
The town hall of Vélez de Benaudalla publishes six walking routes, all starting at the Plaza de la Constitución, beside the church and the town hall: the Nacimiento spring, the Camino de las Torcas, the Fuente del Algarrobo, the Guadalfeo and La Explanación, the Haza del Señor and the mining path.
Our guide to hiking in Vélez de Benaudalla summarises each route, its warnings and its source.
When to hike
Autumn
The official Sulayr guide recommends the first half of autumn as ideal for the long-distance trail. It is also a pleasant season for lower routes.
Winter
Low and mid-altitude routes stay walkable on many days, but above 2,000 m snow and ice are possible: that is equipment and experience territory.
Spring
Generally a good season at all levels; check the weather forecast and water levels before river routes.
Summer
Low routes around Vélez and the Guadalfeo get very hot and shade is limited on many trails: start at first light, carry plenty of water, or choose higher ground.
Safety: what matters most
Water and heat
Carry enough drinking water. Springs exist on many routes, but official sources do not guarantee that they are safe to drink.
Weather and mountain
Conditions in Sierra Nevada change fast. Check the forecast, tell someone your route, and turn back early if in doubt.
Emergencies
The European emergency number 112 works throughout Spain.
Mines, caves and canyons
Never enter old mine galleries. Caving in the Tajo de los Vados requires rope techniques and experienced cavers; it is not a walk.
Roads
Some village routes use or cross roads, including the N-323: walk facing traffic and cross with care.
Tracks found online
GPS tracks shared by other walkers can be useful but are not official and may be outdated.
How we handle trail data
Every trail in our open dataset has a status. “Official data” means distance, time and difficulty come from a public body.
Natural sites such as the Tajo de los Vados are listed as sites, not as trails.
Our hiking guides
- Hiking planner: filter, compare and plan official trails day by day
- Vélez de Benaudalla: the six village routes, the Sierra de Lújar and the Tajo de los Vados
- Alpujarra and Sierra Nevada: Lanjarón, Órgiva, the Poqueira villages and the Sulayr
- Costa Tropical: Motril’s 14 routes, Salobreña and the cliffs
- Easy and family walks: short, low routes that meet clear criteria
- Challenging hikes: high grades and high mountain
- By season: winter, spring, summer and autumn
- Outdoor stay plans: 3, 5 and 7 days from Vélez de Benaudalla
Where to stay for hiking
Rincón Salvaje is a holiday duplex in Vélez de Benaudalla, at the southern end of the A-44 between Granada and the Costa Tropical. The village routes start on foot from the centre; the Alpujarra and Sierra Nevada trailheads are reached by car.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I hike in southern Granada?
In five main areas: around Vélez de Benaudalla and the Sierra de Lújar foothills, along the Guadalfeo river, between the white villages of the Alpujarra, and in Sierra Nevada, including the GR-240 Sulayr, plus the Costa Tropical around Motril and Salobreña.
Is there an easy official trail in the Alpujarra?
The official trails we list are graded “medium” or above. Pueblos del Poqueira (9.4 km loop, 3 h 30 min) and La Cebadilla (7.5 km loop, 4 h) are both graded medium by the Sierra Nevada National Park.
How long are the hiking routes in Vélez de Benaudalla?
The town hall does not publish total distances or times for its routes, only descriptions.
Is the Tajo de los Vados a hiking trail?
No. It is a river canyon and caving area with vertical shafts that require rope techniques. Visit it only with experienced cavers or a qualified guide.
When is the best time to hike in Sierra Nevada?
The official Sulayr guide recommends the first half of autumn. In winter, snow and ice are possible above 2,000 m.
Do I need a permit?
The official sheets for Pueblos del Poqueira, La Cebadilla and Lanjarón–Tello state that no permit is required. Check current rules with the park before going.
Sources · Facts checked on 8 November 2026
- MITECO · Sierra Nevada National Park, Sendero Pueblos del Poqueira (PDF)
- MITECO · Sierra Nevada National Park, Sendero La Cebadilla (PDF)
- Junta de Andalucía · Sendero Lanjarón-Tello
- Junta de Andalucía · GR-240 Sulayr guide
- Andalucía.org · Alpujarra Trail GR-142
- Ayuntamiento de Vélez de Benaudalla · Ruta del Nacimiento
- Ayuntamiento de Vélez de Benaudalla · Ruta Las Torcas
- Ayuntamiento de Vélez de Benaudalla · La Fuente del Algarrobo
- Ayuntamiento de Vélez de Benaudalla · Ruta la Explanación-Río Guadalfeo
- Ayuntamiento de Vélez de Benaudalla · Ruta la Haza del Señor
- Ayuntamiento de Vélez de Benaudalla · Ruta de las Minas
- Ayuntamiento de Vélez de Benaudalla · El Tajo de los Vados
