'Bootlace' Walking Holidays
- Guided walks in the Alpujarra region, Sierra Nevada mountains in Andalucia, Southern Spain, and in the deserts and mountains of Morocco
✩ Explore la Alpujarra, Sierra Nevada.
✩ Spectacular mountain walks
✩ Follow the ancient trade routes of the Moors
✩ Great company, great vegetarian food, and the great outdoors!
✩ Established 1995... and still in love with the mountains
Friendly small groups on walks led by experienced guides through stunning scenery; all-inclusive and bespoke holidays in the Alpujarra, Sierra Nevada National Park in Southern Spain and trekking Morocco's mountains and Atlantic coast.
Bootlace is a seasonal family business established in 1995 with mountain experience from Wales to the Himalaya and from the Atlas and Anti Atlas to our beloved Sierra Nevada. Originally from the UK, we have lived here since the 1980's. With our intimate local knowlege we offer refreshing and renewing holidays in small, friendly groups - an ideal way to get to know this region, on the southern slopes of the impressive Sierra Nevada mountain range. For our Moroccan holidays we also use experienced local Moroccan guides.
Most of our holidays are fully-inclusive, and we cater well for any dietary needs or preferences (please let us know what you need!)
What makes Bootlace special: - “the flexibility and the relaxed, informal atmosphere of the small groups combined with deep local knowledge” - “Spectacular scenery, astounding walks” - “a familiarity with the less frequented footpaths and the best views, the most idyllic picnic spots” - “It's like being with friends or the very best kind of relatives” - “The food is too good”
A refreshing and renewing experience, walking with us in a journey back through time and into the heart of nature. The Sierra Nevada mountains and foothills of the Alpujarra region of Andalucia, south Spain, are steeped in history and gifted with a rare geography - from sub-tropical through to alpine - the area was recognised by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve in 1986 and is one of Spain's most loved and visited National Parks.
View from La Dominga
Our walks follow many of the old Moorish and Roman trade routes and acequias (arab irrigation channels) which criss-cross the rugged landscape and lead us from fertile terraces surrounding the whitewashed Berber style villages to soaring mountainsides and secret hidden valleys. You will see places, rare plants and animals that the casual tourist never finds and glimpse a life which has changed little over the last few hundred years. Most of the walks are circular and we use our Landrover to gain access to the more remote locations. Each week is carefully planned to suit weather conditions and the needs of the group members, with five walking days and one rest day. We also provide bespoke walking holidays tailor-made to suit you: our made-to-measure breaks start at 360 euros per person for 4 nights
➩ More on the Alpujarra, from WikipediaOur portfolio of guided walks:
The list below includes our scheduled 2013 season, plus a number of other possibilities available for 'tailor-made' bookings.
A bespoke break for friends, couples or your local walking group - flexible, friendly and fun!
Minimum 2 people. Price includes B+B accommodation, guided walks with picnics, land-rover access as necessary.
Guided walks on sunny days in mild winter weather and log fires at night - an invigorating Winter Feast to brighten up those shorter days!
Fiona and Paul guide this annual week based at Cortijo Romero.
This is an early spring trek exploring the wild and rocky plateaux of Morocco's sub-Sahara - for those who like their scenery wild and dramatic, where man has left few footprints.
A seven-day tour including two nights in the lovely town of Essaouira, four days trekking with local guides and a visit to Marrakech
Exploring the Atlantic coast: sweeping sandy bays and rocky headlands, fishermen and farmers, tree-climbing goats and camels grazing with their young. If you love a salty tang in the air and walking with the sounds of the ocean this is the trek for you!
Walk the 'Gateway to the Alpujarra' section of the GR240 long-distance footpath.
Moderate walking along the Sulayr, with some strenuous ascents and descents; daily max. 17km/10.5 miles
Alpine Spring in the Sierra Nevada - includes two nights at the Refugio Poqueira (2500m) below the highest peak of the range, Mulhacen (3483m).
As the heat of June makes walking in the higher mountains a pleasant prospect we move to Fernando's cortijo (farmhouse) as the first base for this holiday. At over a mile high, deep within the Sierra Nevada National Park, it's an ideal base for acclimatising to the altitude as well as the warmer weather, and getting your legs in high mountain gear ready for the ascent to the peak!
For HIGH MOUNTAIN WALKING in the AUTUMN see AUTUMN IN THE HEIGHTS
Walking for softies! Taking it easy or a great introduction to walking with Bootlace, this is a week at a gentler pace with visits to Granada and the coastal nature reserve at Cantarrijan.
Based at the atmospheric Casa de Luz, restored from the original bodega (winery) in the small market town of Pitres, this is a week to enjoy being out and about in the Alpujarra without the challenge of too many steep mountainsides to negotiate on foot. As well as picnic excursions in beautiful mountainous locations with short walks, and a visit to Granada, the programme for the week includes exploring the white villages of the Alpujarra, a visit to local herbal expert and author Julio Donat and a walk through the coastal nature reserve at Cantarijjan near the historic town of Almuñecar.
At Fernando's Hideaway (1700m) and including nights in two of Spain's highest villages and at the Refugio Poqueira (2500m) below the highest peak of the Sierra Nevada, Mulhacen (3483m).
During this week of high level walking we spend the first few days at, a restored farmhouse on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada. At over a mile high this is an ideal base for acclimatising to the altitude, and getting the legs in high mountain gear for exploring the tranquil Sierras de Cañar and Soportujar and later in the week gaining the Refugio Poqueira at 2500m below the highest peak Mulhacen (3482m) and following some of the most attractive sections of the high long-distance path GR240. Midweek brings us to the pretty mountain village of Capileira
Routes weave in and out of the deciduous tree-line, through woodlands of holm and pyrenean oak and Spanish chestnut, as well as climbing to over 2700m, gaining stunning views out over the Mediterranean towards Morocco.
Walks in the countryside around Ferreirola in the Sierra Nevada National Park. Bespoke walking holidays, available for small group booking with full board (4 or more guests) or for b&b and guided walks (minimum 2 guests).
This hospitable guest house is situated in Ferreirola, a tiny, forgotten hamlet, surely one of the prettiest white villages in all of Andalucia. Walking in the countryside about is a delight, with its network of old paths, ancient irrigation systems and small scale agriculture (man and mule!). This is one of the villages of La Taha, once a thriving Moorish municipality and one of the final redoubts in the time of the last muslim king of Granada, Boabdil. During the time of the Moors it lay on the silk route that wound through the mountains from Granada to the coast, but now it lies almost forgotten, nestling on the side of the Trevelez river valley and protected by a ring of mountains.
Walks in the countryside around Pitres in the Sierra Nevada National Park. Tailor-made walking holidays, available for exclusive booking (4 or more guests) or for b&b and guided walks (minimum 2 guests). Moderate walking
The atmospheric Casa de Luz, in the small market town of Pitres is ideally located for a long weekend break or a full week's itinerary of moderately-paced walks. Also available is a visit to local herbal expert and author Julio Donat and a seaside picnic or meal on the beach with a walk through the coastal nature reserve at Cantarijan near the historic town of Almuñecar.
Herbs, Herbal Remedies and Walking in the Alpujarra
Spain still has a strong tradition of herbal medicine. Up until the late 20th Century every Alpujarra village had its curandera or curandero (healer) specialising in such things as bone-setting, or skin complaints. In our local market the herb and spice stall is still one of the larger ones, with sacks containing a fascinating variety of leaves, seeds, curls of bark and powders, culinary and medicinal, reminiscent of the apothecaries in Moroccan souks today and a reminder of the Moorish culture which is soaked into the bones of the Alpujarra.
What people say - "I am a general practitioner, and was enthralled, educated and deeply impressed by Julio's medicinal knowledge and skill" (C.D. - BA MSc MD CQSW FRCGP FFPHM Professor of Primary Medical Care - participant Herbalism and Walking 2005) "As a herbalist I wholeheartedly recommend this holiday...The diversity of plant life here is fantastic. I could see many of the plants I use in my clinic growing here in their natural habitats... Julio is passionate about plants and so knowledgable" (R.Z. BSc (Hons), Dip M, CEd, MBRCP, KFRP, MH, MRNI, MGNI, MAMH?- 2011) " It was really amazing; great hosts, great walks, wonderful herb walks and workshops; and fantastic accommodations and food." (C.L. Doctor of Veterinary Medecine - 2012) "Julio was so knowledgable and so enthusiastic - it was catching... Sophie's breadth of knowledge and skill in our lotions and potions workshops was truly impressive - I know I've met two very exceptional talents" (F.H. - 2012)
With Arantza Puente, a week of yoga and walking in la Alpujarra, based at Cortijo La Cañada.
Arantza is originally from the Basque country, northern Spain. She lived in the UK for many years and settled in this part of Andalucia where she now co-runs yoga retreats and practices as a Thai masseur.
Comments:
"Many thanks for a most enjoyable introduction to the Alpujarras" - M.M. - Autumn in the Heights 2012