Local activities

Walking

The countryside around Los Bérchules is hikers’ paradise. There are walks to suit all levels, from the gentle ambler to the energetic strider. The town lies on the path of the famous long distance hike, the GR7, which starts in Greece and ends in Gibraltar. Maps are available and the routes are to be found on the separate menu on the left. Transport can be arranged for those wishing to explore further afield. There are English-speaking guides if required who know the mountains and can explain its history, its plant and animal life.

Horse Riding

Join a group and trek on horseback through the Alpujarras with Dallas Love. She has over twenty horses in her stable near Bubion and organises weekly treks from February to November and also shorter rides for half or a full day. For more information call 0034 958 763 038 or click on the link in our Links section.

Mountain Biking

Bring your mountain bike to the Alpujarra for some of the best trails imaginable. Breathtaking scenery, rides that really make the adrenaline rush, dropping hundreds of metres in minutes through terrain that is satisfyingly taxing, yet stunningly beautiful.

To get the most out of your holiday Hotel Los Bérchules offers special mountain biking packages which can include:

* Transport for you and your bikes from and to the airport

* Daily delivery of you and your bikes to the starting point of your choice

* Daily collection of you and your bikes from where you finish

* Picnic lunches

* Knowledge of great local biking trails

A different start point every day means that you can experience so much more. Not only that, you can begin your ride above the snow line and end up in a tee-shirt basking in warm sunshine without spending hours cycling uphill!

You can start at the top of a mountain in the morning and spend the whole day on different trails, lunching in a picturesque mountain village and finish the day with a well deserved drink in a bar at the bottom of a valley. Indeed, one of our most popular days sets you off at 2200m. up Veleta, (the second highest mountain in Spain) and takes you along world class biking trails to end up 1600m. lower in a sub-tropical village. On another day you could speed down a dry river bed, kicking up some dust and having a lot of fun.

If you´re interested please get in touch through our Contact Us section.

Painting and Sketching

“Sketch and Trek” with our resident artist, Jeni Rabjohns, B.A.(Hons). Jeni worked for many years as an art tutor and therapist before moving to Spain in 1994. Jeni will lead you to her favourite locations, sketchbook in hand. Her love of the landscape, architecture and people of the Alpujarra is infectious. You will follow ancient mule tracks through almond and olive groves, stopping to sketch a derelict farmhouse, its heavy, studded door still hanging on its old wooden hinge; you will visit the whitewashed, Moorish style villages with their narrow, cobbled streets, colourful with multitudinous flowers in pots hanging from balconies and walls.

You will need to bring watercolours, water soluble pencils and crayons, a pen and ink, a water bottle, a good quality watercolour brush and sketchbooks (small and large sizes). A folding tripod stool would make life easier for you, a sun hat is essential, walking shoes or boots, sun cream and a walking stick are advisable.

Bird Watching

Many interesting, spectacular and, for the visitor to Spain, rarely seen birds abound in Las Alpujarras including Hoopoes, Bee Eaters, Golden Orioles, many species of owl, Golden and other eagles to name but a few and are frequently seen within a few kilometres of the hotel.

Other activities include botany, entomology, butterfly watching and astronomy.