On this Andalusian Horse Riding Holiday we follow centuries-old bridle paths traditionally linking White Village to White Village in La-Alpujarra.

Discover Moorish irrigation channels and forestry tracks as we ride through an ever-changing landscape. Passing through different terrain each day, varying from mountain pastures and pine forests, to almond and olive groves.

Here is an opportunity not only to discover spectacular landscapes and scenery, but also a culture where tradition remains very much part of everyday life. The average riding time per day is between five and six hours.

The Alpujarra is the name given to the South of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, a region of much botanical and geological importance, in an area with a rich cultural and historical heritage.

On some days there are plenty of opportunities to trot and canter, other days it is mainly walking (due to the rough terrain). No matter what the pace, it is a beautiful ride.

The Itinerary

Transfer at designated time from Malaga airport to the village of Bubion. Two to two and a half hours.

While in Bubion you will be staying in the charming Casa la Sevillana. A comfortable 19th Century town house, 7 bedrooms with private shower-rooms, large patio, sitting room, breakfast room.

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 day’s activities.

Approximately 5 hours riding.

After breakfast you will be driven the 5 kilometres to the stables, situated above the village of Bubion at an altitude of 1.650 meters.

The first day of the Alpujarra week ride is a circular route, enabling you to acclimatise slightly to the area and the altitude. Also ensuring you and your horse are comfortable together prior to setting off for the week.

The trail takes us high into the Poqueira valley, claimed to be one of the most beautiful in the whole of the Sierra Nevada National Park. Spectacular views with the high peaks reaching over 3,000 metres at the head of the valley, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.

Following a combination of old bridle paths and forestry tracks we ride up through open mountain-side and pine forests, crossing ancient Moorish irrigation channels, gullies, streams and summer pastures watered by the snow melt.

Mid-morning we join the main dirt forestry track providing places for some nice trots and canters before lunch.

Picnic lunch at approximately 2,400 metres in the shade of the pine woods. An idyllic spot with spectacular views, on a clear day all the way across the Mediterranean Sea to the mountains of Morocco.

Gradual descent through pine and oak woods to the stables.

Dinner and overnight in the village of Bubion.

Approximately 6 hour

Today we head east to the village of Trevelez, at 1,486 metres the highest municipality in Andalusia and one of the highest in Spain.

During the morning we gradually descend (approx. 350 metres) on forestry tracks and bridle paths. Passing orchards and small terraces the trail passes by the villages of Capilerilla, Pitres and Portugos, White Villages of the Alpujarra.

There are a few sections where it is necessary to lead the horses on some of the steeper descents, also through the narrow street of Portugos. After watering the horse in the village of Portugos the path winds up through oak and pine woods to our picnic spot 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 good opportunities for trots and canters. At the end of the day 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. Swimming pool June to late September.

Approximately 5 hours riding

The route continues east to the village of Berchules. Starting the morning with approximately a 15 minute walk through the streets of Trevelez, we water the horses in the village square before mounting up and head down to the river.

Crossing the river Trevelez the centuries old bridle path following the course of one of the ancient Moorish irrigation channel. Leaving the irrigation channel below we climb approximately an hour and 30 minutes through oak and pine woods to the open pasture lands of the Sierra of Juviles. Here we start a gradual descent across open hillside with wonderful views to the south of the Contraviesa mountains and to the east the Mediterranean and the coastline of Almeria. Picnic lunch in the oak woods above the village of Juviles.

Following lunch the trail continues through the woods to join up with a secondary road leading to the village of Berchules. Here we will have approximately 15 to 20 minutes on tarmac.

Overnight and dinner in the comfortable family run Hotel Berchules.

Pool available June to late September.

Approximately 5 hours.

To-day taking an alternative and much higher trail we head back to the village of Trevelez. Leaving Berchules we join one of the main dirt forestry tracks up to approximately 2,000 metres. Once the track levels out there are places for trots and canters until rejoining the bridle path through the pine woods.

Picnic lunch on the edge of the pine woods. Wonderful views over the valley of Trevelez and of the Mulhacen 3,486 metres (the highest mountain on the mainland) to the north.

During the afternoon we descend on the bridle path through the woods to the village of Trevelez. On sections of the steeper and rockier descent it is necessary to lead the horses for short periods.

Overnight and dinner in the comfortable Hotel Fragua. Pool June to late September.

Approximately 3 hours.

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 Valley.

This route offers wonderful views out over the Contraviesa mountains and the Mediterranean sea, and some good opportunities for canters.

Late lunch in the village of Capileira or Bubion. Afternoon free for some last minute shopping and a well-deserved siesta. Overnight in the village of Bubion and farewell dinner.

An early breakfast and transfer to Malaga airport.

Book the La Alpujarra

Ride Dates

La Alpujarra

10 April 2025 - 16 April 2025

La Alpujarra

14 June 2025 - 20 June 2025

La Alpujarra

30 August 2025 - 05 September 2025

La Alpujarra

13 September 2025 - 19 September 2025

La Alpujarra

04 October 2025 - 10 October 2025

Prices and Details

PRICE (2024):

1,850 Euros

Single Supplement: 200 Euros (Payable on arrival in Spain)

PRICE (2025):

1,905 Euros

Single Supplement: 250 Euros (Payable on arrival in Spain)

INCLUDES:

5 days riding.

6 nights accommodation with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Guide, backup vehicle for luggage.

Transfer to and from Malaga at pre-arranged time.
Transfer on the day of arrival will be no later than 17.00 hours.
On the day of departure the transfer will return you to Malaga airport for 10.00 hours.

NOT INCLUDED:

Flights.

Personal and medical insurance.

Riding Experience:

It is necessary to be comfortable outdoors at walk, trot and canter.

Weight Limit:

90kg experienced riders,

75kg intermediate.

Book the La Alpujarra

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Our Clients Say

Joining El Marquesado Trail In June. Fantastic ride in the mountains wih breathtaking views all week. Riding up to almost 3000 meters. Absolutely stunning 🙂 Such well trained and beautiful horses.

Nice

accommodations along the way as well as the food. A real pleasure to ride with Dallas and her brother.

Highly recommended! Looking so much forward to my next trail

Ingunn Julseth Kvamme, Germany

Just back from another perfect week with Dallas and her wonderful horses.

This is the second time my mum and I have come to Bubion (first time for the La Alpujarra Ride and this time for El Marquesado) and it couldn’t have been better.

Beautifully

schooled horses; delicious food and brilliant hotels; fantastic company and the most spectacular scenery in the world, and what a way to see it!

For anyone thinking about a riding holiday, an absolute must! Thank you dallas, Mordecai and Jeanette, and not forgetting your beautiful horses. We will be back!

Kate and Emma, U.K

Dallas’s new ride was spectacuar.

For me it retraced parts of both of my previous rides with Dallas – The Contravesia and El Marquesado however the 2 new days were wild and at altitude in the Northern Slopes of the Sierra Nevada – nothing but space and no one but us and the bird and wildlife of the area – ibex and  eagles seen every day.

Well schooled hores

As always, through good schooling, the horses were well mannered and sure footed – knowing and enjoying their job and the terrain well. Max a true gentleman as always!

The accommodation

was comfortable throughout with plentiful, good food and for me the opportunity to swim after a day in the saddle was bliss! Dallas’s lunches continue to be legendary!

We were all return riders so thank you again to Dallas, Mordecai and Jeanette for yet another wonderful week of great riding, great company and always a lot of laughter – my plan is to return again in the Spring.

Ann, U.K

Hi Dallas, I guess by now you will be back from your second Marquesdao ride – my goodness I do admire your stamina!

I notice on the weather forecast this evening that southern Spain is getting some rain (which we are having in abundance here), so I do hope that includes the Sierra Nevada. I haven’t been in touch until now because I think it’s good to let the dust settle a bit before thinking about trips away and how they really went.

Dallas -it was a wonderful adventure, a huge thank you to you and Mordacai for your efforts to give us all a memorable and spectacular trip on wonderful horses – and you did – in spades!

I’ve been telling people it was more of an adventure than a holiday – we were happily exhausted when we returned (not helped by Sleazyjet’s broken plane which led to a five hour delay at Malaga.

Amazing really, as SJ said, good to know people like her are in charge of our national businesses!).  And we wished we had a couple of days to collapse afterwards at some nice local hotel.   But oh my goodness, I will not forget my friend Jeleo (how to spell?) who looked after me so well and was such fun to ride too.

The epic scenery, the spring flowers, the mountain streams, pine groves, cattle and their calves – with bells on – and the great company.  Us pathetic Brits aren’t used to that heat but that was all part of the Spanish experience – as was the Paella which you kindly arranged for me.

There was a feeling that we were on a journey rather than just pottering around in Andalucia, which gave us all a focus and a sense of achievement when we rode back into the stables at the end.  I know the Fiesta and the WONDERFUL village band were vexing for you, but we really adored that snapshot of the locals partying.

It really was a fabulous trip and I would love to come again and try the Alpujara ride – we are doing things in reverse I know!   Best wishes for the rest of the summer and thank you so much.

Rothes,

I just wanted to say a very big thank you for giving me the most special week.  I can honestly say that you gave us all a truly memorable experience of wonderful horses in the most stunning countryside.

The Trails

All the routes and tracks you led us were beyond my expectations and your choice of hotels and menus were all spot on.  How you managed to effortlessly produce lunch for us all out of nowhere was quite beyond my comprehension.

Fantastically Run

You run a fantastically thoughtful and professional enterprise and I will definitely be returning hopefully next year for another experience with you.

With love and best wishes

Sarah-Jane, U.K

“If you want to ride a wonderfully well mannered horse through some simply stunning mountains then this is the trip for you.

The high mountains of the Sierra Nevada are magnificent and the whole experience is one of fun, beauty and enjoyment.

I would not hesitate in recommending this ride”

Ray, U.S

The scenery was spectacular particularly at the highest points in the mountains, and we saw some wonderful sights such as that group of vultures taking off when we rounded a corner.

You and Julio obviously have a very wide knowledge of the areas we were passing through which showed during the week, as was your attention to detail and regard to safety.

Anne

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