Sometimes a short holiday is all you need to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Our retreat in sunny Spain offers not only the opportunity to work, but also to balance that work with true relaxation. Despite being able to work from here, it is crucial to turn off that 'on' button sometimes. For us, hiking is the perfect medicine to reset, “para desconectar”, as the locals say.

Last May, we allowed ourselves the pleasure of planning a short break in the majestic Sierra Nevada. We stayed at Casa del Patio a cute B&B in a stylish Spanish villa in Inos del Valle. From there you can go in any direction: from an active hiking trip to a day of culture in Granada. We came for hiking and started with the enchanting walk called Los Cahorres from the charming village of Monachil, which turned out to be a real treasure. It is just half an hour's drive from Granada, part of the Sierra Nevada and just under 2 hours from “our” village of Canillas de Aceituno.

The special thing about this hike was in its diversity. Past babbling brooks, through rustling forests, across mountain meadows and, with a little scrambling, past rock formations; this route was a refreshing mix of landscapes. And you also go over 5 suspension bridges! 

We started by walking along a meandering stream, surrounded by a beautiful forest. At the first suspension bridge, the terrain became more challenging and engaging. With a total distance of about 9.5 kilometres and an altitude difference of 318 metres, each step offered a new panorama. We sometimes had to duck under overhanging branches, pass under low rocks on all fours and hold on to metal brackets. Still, overall it was an achievable route, even for families with children. The last part of the trek climbed up to a ridge, rewarded us with sweeping views of the valley, the city of Granada and beyond. Finally, we descended again to Monachil, where our circular route ended. 

The next day, we set off for another stunning trek, las Acequias del Poqueira, which started from the picturesque village of Capileira. The journey to this village alone was an adventure in itself. Unfortunately, we were unable to complete this trek due to violent approaching thunderstorms, but its potential was clear.

The route, classified as 'tough', stretches for about 20 kilometres and bridges an altitude difference of 1055 metres. You can shorten it, by the way. The village of Capileira, founded in 1562, always towers over the landscape as one of the most beautiful white villages in Spain. 

You walk along challenging ancient paths through a stunningly beautiful, varied landscape, which has always been dominated by agriculture and cattle breeding. You walk past authentic irrigation channels, farms, threshing floors and terraces and you still come across donkeys, goats, cows and sometimes a horse, which people use for their own livelihood.

The route winds through the Poqueira Valley, always with views of the Sierra Nevada peaks. The traditional Moorish irrigation canals, called azequias, add to the charm of this hike.

Hiking in the Sierra Nevada massif is an amazing experience overall. It has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO which ensures that its unique folk architecture, terraced agriculture, irrigation canals and traditional activities are preserved and cultivated, while respecting the incomparable natural environment of the few people still living there.

So we were back in the village of Capileira earlier than planned, where you can have a fine afterglow (or recovery) in one of the many bars or enjoy a hearty meal, but we are definitely putting this walk back on the list for the next short break!

With sunny regards,
Sonja and Jacobo René

Attached are the written-out walking routes: Los Cahorros Los Cahorros en las acequias del Poqueira