Mountain Trail Rides - For all itineraries please scroll down.
Contraviesa Ride 2026 - £1875pp
21-28 March (sat-sat) Contraviesa
03 - 10 Oct. (sat-sat) Contraviesa
24 - 31 Oct. (sat-sat) Contraviesa
Single room supplement €270 to be paid for on-site
Minimum group size 3 people. Surcharge 150€ per person for small groups of 4 or less on the ride. 5 riders plus no surcharge.
Alpujarra Ride 2026 - £1750pp, short break price £1350pp (single supplement €175)
18-24 April (sat-fri) Alpujarra
07 - 12 May (thur-tue) Alpujarra short break
16 - 22 May (sat-fri) Alpujarra
06 - 12 June (sat-fri) Alpujarra
20 - 25 June (sat-thur) Alpujarra short break
29 Aug-04 Sept. (sat-fri) Alpujarra
13 - 19 Sept. (sun-sat) Alpujarra
07 - 12 Nov. (sat-thur) Alpujarra short break
Single room supplement €250 to be paid for on-site
Minimum group size 3 people. Surcharge 150€ per person for small groups of 4 or less on the ride. 5 riders plus no surcharge.
The Alpujarra Mountain Trail Itinerary
Day 1
Collection from Malaga airport not later than 4pm (16.00 Hours). Then a transfer to the village of Bubion where you will be met by the trek organiser and guide. Supper and accommodation in a comfortable village hostel.
Day 2
Today is a day ride local to the stables, enabling you to acclimatise slightly to the area and the altitude. Also acquainting you and your horse prior to setting out for the week.
The ride takes us high into the Valley Poqueira, on a combination of bridle paths and forestry tracks. The route follows along ancient Moorish irrigation channels and summer pastures watered by the snow melt. This valley is claimed to be one of the most beautiful in the whole of Sierra Nevada in Spain with the high peaks reaching over 3,000 metres at the head of the valley, and the Mediterranean Sea at the foot. The horses will carry a full picnic lunch which we will eat besides one of the mountain streams, at 2,500 metres an idyllic spot offering spectacular views, on a clear day all the way across to the mountains of Morocco. Returning to the stables you will be driven down to the village. Set dinner in one of the local restaurants. Overnight in the Casa la Sevillana.
Day 3
Today we head east to the village of Trevelez. This morning we gradually descend (approx. 350 metres) on forestry tracks and bridle paths. The route passes through orchards and small terraces as it skirts the villages of Capilerilla, Pitres and Portugos. There are a few sections where it is necessary to lead the horses on some of the steeper descents. Leaving the village of Portugos below we start the 600 metre climb to our picnic spot in the shade of the pinewoods. After lunch we join the main forestry track to Trevelez, this track maintains pretty much the same altitude as it winds its way through woodlands and small mountain farms. There are some good opportunities for nice canters. At the end of the day approximately a 15 minute walk down an old stone path into the village. Over night and dinner will be in the comfortable Hotel Fragua situated in the old Berber quarter of Trevelez. Use of pool June to September.
Day 4
Today the bridle path takes us over totally different terrain, through mountain farms and pine forests to the village of Berchules. The first part of the ride follows a very steep and rocky path up through woods and summer pastures to an altitude of 2,500 meters. On a clear day it is possible to see across the sea to Morocco, and to the North the highest peak in Spain. Picnic lunch en route. After lunch we begin the descent to the village of Berchules. For the final 30 minutes the path becomes very rough and it is necessary to lead the horses. Over night in a very comfortable family run hotel.
Day 5
Berchules takes its name from the old Spanish word ´Berchel´ meaning literally ´mountain garden´. During the morning we take the ancient Moorish bridle path, once the main trade route over the mountains to Granada. As the path passes through terraced orchards and fields, high above the cause of the river, it is easy to see how the area came by its name.
Leaving the path we stop for a picnic lunch in the shade of the pine woods. After lunch we join the main forestry track built in the early 1900s to improving access for farming and reforestation in the area. There are plenty of opportunities for trots and canters today. We spend a second night in the village of Berchules.
Day 6
Today we head back to the village of Trevelez. Leaving the village of Berchules below we have a steep climb to approximately 2,400 metres. During the morning the route follows dirt tracks through farm and pasture lands up to the tree line; there are some opportunities for canters. A picnic lunch will be served on the edge of the pine woods with wonderful views over the valley of Trevelez, the sea to the south and the Mulhcen (the highest mountain on the mainland). During the afternoon we descend on the bridle path through the woods to the village of Trevelez.
Overnight and dinner will be in the comfortable Hotel Fragua. There is a swimming pool June to late September.
Day 7
Today is a short ride. Following the forestry track through pine and oak woods we return directly to the stables high above the villages of the poqueira. This route not only offers wonderful views out over the Contraviesa mountains and the Mediterranean sea, but many opportunities for canters. Late lunch in the village of Capileira, over night in the village of Bubion. On this evening dinner is not included and guests are free to select the restaurant of their choice.
Day 8
Transfer to Malaga, please don't book a flight with a check-in time before 10.00 as you need to allow time for the transfer down from Bubion.
The Contraviesa Trail Ride Itinerary
Day 1
Collection from Malaga airport is no later than 4pm (16.00 Hours). Then a transfer to the village of Bubion where you will be met by the trek organiser and guide. You will stay in a comfortable 19th Century town house offering 7 bedrooms with private shower-rooms, large patio, sitting room, breakfast room. Accommodation is located in the heart of the village within minutes walk from the local restaurants and cafes.
Dinner with the rest of the riders and a briefing on the following days activities..
Day 2
After breakfast you will be collected and driven to the stables situated 5 kilometres from the village of Bubion at an altitude of 1.650 meters.
Today is a day ride local to the stables enabling you to acclimatise slightly to the area and the altitude. Also acquainting you with your horse prior to setting out for the week.
Leaving the stables we take a small mountain path up through summer pastures to join the main forestry dirt road into the National Park. Here there are opportunities to canter.
We will follow the track to approximately 2.300 metres where it joins a bridle path. Following this path through the pine woods we come out on the ridge of Barranco Habali at approximately 2,100 metres.
Picnic lunch in the pine woods. After lunch a gentle descent through the woods down to the stables. There are a few places where it is necessary to lead the horses for approximately10 minutes each time.
Overnight in the Casa Sevillana Bubion and dinner in one of the local restaurants.
Approximately 5 riding hours.
Day 3
Today we head east to the village of Trevelez. At 1,486 metres the highest municipality in Andalucia and one of the highest in Spain.
During the morning we gradually descend (approx. 350 metres) on forestry tracks and bridle paths. The path passes through orchards and small terraces as it skirts the villages of Capilerilla, Pitres and Portugos.
There are a few sections where it is necessary to lead the horses on some of the steeper descents. Leaving the village of Portugos below we start the 600 metre climb to our picnic spot. With stunning views to the Med, we picnic in the shade of the pine woods.
After lunch we join the main forestry track to Trevelez. This track maintains pretty much the same altitude as it winds its way through woodlands and small mountain farms. There are some good opportunities for trots and nice canters.
At the end of the day there is approximately a 15 minute walk down an old stone path into the village.
Overnight and dinner in the comfortable Hotel Fragua situated in the old Berber quarter of Trevelez. Use of pool June to late September.
Approximately 6 hours of riding.
Day 4
The route continues east to the village of Berchules. After a 10 minute walk through the streets of Trevelez we water the horses at one of the many springs. Then mount up and head down to the river.
Once across the river the we join a very pretty centuries-old bridle path following the ancient Moorish irrigation channel. Leaving the water channel below the path climbs steeply through evergreen Holm oak and pine forests to an altitude of approximately 2,200 metres.
Picnic lunch in the shade of the pine woods with spectacular views across the valley of Trevelez to the Mediterrainean Sea. After lunch the path continues to climb for another 20 minutes to reach the top of the ridge and commence the descent to the village of Berchules.
During the afternoon a combination of bridlepaths and forestry tracks descend through pine woods, open hill-sides, pasturelands and old farms. The path will bring us to the top of the village where we will need to lead the horses down to the stables. Approximately a 25 minute walk.
Overnight and dinner in the comfortable Hotel Berchules. Pool June to end September.
Approximately 6 hours of riding.
Day 5
Today is a shorter ride with a late lunch at the hotel Alqueria de Morayma where we will also be spending the night. Our route takes us down to the Contraviesa foothills, through very different and rapidly changing terrain.
The morning starts with approximately a 15 walk down to the riverbed. Here we will mount up and ride through small cultivated terraces and orchards to the town of Cadiar.
Leaving Cadiar below we head into the foothills. the terrain becomes much more arid and eroded. Green cultivated land gives way to wild rosemary, thyme, almonds, figs and vineyards.
The hotel Alqueria de Morayma is in a beautiful setting situated amongst almond groves above the river Cadiar, approximately 2 kilometres from the town of Cadiar. A perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon.
Approximately 3 hours of riding.
The pool is open from June to late September.
Day 6
To-day we head back to the village of Trevelz on a much lower route than that of day 4. The first part of the path is through vineyards to the riverbed. Crossing the riverbed we pass along a dry arroyo to join the path up to the village of Lobras. From Lobras approximately 10 minutes on a small secondry road to the tiny village of Timar. From here we climb steeply on an old stone path to the village of Juviles, and then on to the open hills of the Sierra of Juviles.
Picnic lunch in the pine woods before starting the descent into the village of Trevelez. On this descent there are places you will be required to lead your horses.
Overnight and dinner in the comfortable hotel Fragua.
Approximately 6 hours of riding.
Day 7
Our final day of the trek we return to the village of Bubion following the forestry track through pine and oak woods. Here there are opportunities for some nice canters.
Late lunch in the village of Bubion, with the chance of a well deserved siesta and maybe a little shopping.
Overnight in Casa la Sevillana and farewell dinner.
Approximately 3 hours of riding.
Day 8
Transfer back to Malaga. Please don't book a flight with a check-in time before 10.00 as you need to allow time for the transfer down from Bubion.
Private rides may be arranged on different dates subject to a minimum or 5 riders.
Short Breaks are available in this region Alpujarra Short Break & Malaga Short Trail
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