|
Home > Holidays > Walking > Almería
 The Coast of Almería
Almería is one of the provinces of Andalucia, in southern Spain.
Our Coast of Almería walking holiday
leads through the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, one of the Mediterranean’s
last unspoiled corners.
Cabo de Gata
Walking
is one of the best ways to discover this little-known region of sand dunes,
secluded coves, rocky cliffs and salt flats. In fact, many parts are only
accessible on foot, which is why it is so sparsely populated and in this
age of mass development still boasts over 50 kilometres of virgin beaches.
Another great attraction of the Cabo de Gata is the weather – it
enjoys an amazing 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, and fewer than 30 days
of rain, making it the driest area in Europe. The year-round sunshine
means it is an ideal destination for 'out-of-season' walking.
 With such a dry climate, the vegetation is quite sparse, and the landscape
in general is often compared to the Rif Mountains in Morocco. The Natural
Park is rich in birdlife – inland you may spot Bonelli’s eagles,
crested larks and black wheatears, while along the coast, seabirds such
as gannets, puffins and razorbills are reasonably common sights. Among
the waders to be found here are storks and avocets, but the most spectacular
species has to be the flamingo. In spring and autumn, when they migrate,
flocks of up to two-thousand birds have been seen.
The walking
The
route is a grade 1-2 walk, though there is a long, steady ascent on the
first day, which can sometimes seem worse in the heat of the sun. Distances
range between 6 and 17 kilometres (2.5-6.5 hours’ walking), so you
have time to take things as slowly as you wish – pause to admire the marvellous
views out over the sea or stop for the occasional swim – the water temperatures
are the warmest in mainland Spain, averaging 18°C.
 Highlights of the route include the circular walk from Rodalquilar, your
third base, through bare, golden hills to the ruined cortijo (farmstead) where
the tragic real-life events that inspired Lorca’s Blood Wedding occurred in 1928. Another very enjoyable walk is from the panoramic lighthouse
at Cabo de Gata to San José, which features some spectacular cliff-top
sections, magnificent sandy beaches, and the sand dunes at Monsul, where much of Lawrence of Arabia was filmed.
Accommodation
A variety of accommodation is used along the route, from small inns to
4-star hotels. All of them are either located close to the beach or have
their own pool. With the sea so close, you can enjoy a wide range of delicious
fresh fish and seafood dishes during your holiday.
Add nights in Granada
Crowned by the magnificent palace-fortress of the Alhambra, Granada is an alluring city and great testimony to the brilliance of the Moors.
The Alhambra consists of three main parts: the Alcazaba (fortress), the
oldest part of the complex; the breathtakingly ornate royal palace, a
marvellous display of intricate stucco decoration and colourful azulejos;
and the delightful ornamental gardens of the Generalife.
 You can easily fill an entire day visiting the Alhambra, but do not neglect
Granada's other Moorish monuments, which include a bathhouse and a couple
of fascinating mansions, nor the Gothic Capilla Real, the last resting
place of the Reyes Católicos. It is also very rewarding to stroll through
the narrow, cobbled streets of the Albaicín, Spain's largest and
most characteristic surviving Moorish quarter. The view of the Alhambra
from the Plaza San Nicolás at the heart of the district is the
best in the city.
< To the top of this page
< Back to Walking Index
 |
