Enjoy nature and a privileged environment
Barranco de la Salud allows you to enjoy nature and a privileged environment with trails for hiking or mountain biking, visit the Sierra Nevada Natural Park, considered a true «Botanical Museum», as it is one of the places on the planet with the greatest biological diversity, or enjoy the high mountains both in winter and summer. In Puerto de la Ragua you can enjoy cross-country skiing, enjoy the different circuits of the Port and the Network of Trails, including a section of the GR-7.
You can also visit the towns in the municipality of Nevada: Laroles, Júbar, Mairena and Picena, with beautiful natural landscapes, where you can hopefully see the mountain goat, as well as visit other towns in La Alpujarra Granadina and enjoy the rich gastronomy of this area. One of the typical dishes of Laroles is parva soup, which is made with cod, onion, peppers and olive oil.
Cross-country skiing
At Puerto de la Ragua you can go cross-country skiing, with very good conditions as the snow lasts for several months in winter. For this reason, several circuits of different lengths have been set up (2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 km) that run at an altitude of between 2,000 and 2,200 m. In addition, forest tracks and lanes can be used when covered in snow, so they are also a very good option for cross-country skiing.
Dog sledding excursions
This is an activity carried out by companies outside Barranco de la Salud that operate in the area around Puerto de la Ragua.
This is a very attractive sport, which is still unknown to most visitors to the area. It can be done on cross-country skiing circuits, but as the wheels of these sleds can be adapted, there are many other alternatives. In Puerto de la Ragua, the importance of this sport is emphasised, as very attractive competitions are held and visitors are offered the chance to experience the sensation of driving a sled.
Hiking
The GR 7 trail (a long-distance trail that crosses the Iberian Peninsula from Catalonia to Andalusia) has a section through the Alpujarra region, from Puerto de la Ragua to Lanjarón. It is part of the E-4, a European trail that begins in Greece and ends in Gibraltar.
His journey through the Alpujarra can be divided into seven days:
- Eastern Alpujarra: from Laroles to Válor.
- Through the lands of Gerald Brenan and Aben Humeya: from Válor to Mecina Bombarón.
- The deep Alpujarra: from Cádiar to Trevélez.
- Near the summits: from Trevélez to Busquístar.
- Between ravines and tahás: from Busquístar to Bubión.
- Western Alpujarras: from Bubión to Lanjarón.
- You can also cross the region via the Granada section of the GR-142 trail, from the Mecina River valley to Lanjarón, an itinerary where water is the protagonist.
The trail of the CASTAÑO MILENARIO (Laroles-Sierra Nevada)
To follow this beautiful trail we will have to follow a path that starts from the hermitage viewpoint in Laroles and ascends, leaving the campsite on the right and the market on the left, until we reach the so-called La Loma path, which we will continue on. From 1,200 metres above sea level the views will become unbeatable, as we will be able to see almost the entire Alpujarra: to the west, the Granadina and to the east, the Almeriense. In this first part there are many oak groves with some scattered chestnut trees. At 1,350 metres above sea level, we will cross the Laroles River, changing direction and landscape (now there are many chestnut trees, with almost no trace of oaks) and we will begin to descend to reach one of the most striking natural monuments of the municipality: a thousand-year-old chestnut tree next to the Laroles River, whose gigantic branches hang down to touch the ground.
We will continue for a while accompanied by the GR-7 and the Acequia Real, which irrigates Mairena and Júbar, and later, we will take the Andurón path, which in a steep descent leaves us on the road, turning left to return to Laroles, but not before passing through the Laroles River Recreational Area.
Backcountry skiing
The Puerto de la Ragua area is ideal for cross-country skiing, offering routes of impressive beauty and tranquility in the heart of nature. From the port, you can head east to reach Cerro del Almirez or west, towards Alto de Sanjuán.
These routes cross the slopes of Morrón del Mediodía and Cerro del Almirez, with perfect conditions for enjoying long trips in a spectacular setting, where skiers can experience the freedom of exploring virgin snow and unique high mountain panoramas.
Extreme skiing
For extreme skiing enthusiasts, the slopes of Morrón del Mediodía and Cerro del Almirez offer an unrivalled challenge in the heart of nature. These peaks, located in the Puerto de la Ragua area, have steep slopes and virgin snow, ideal for advanced skiers looking for an off-piste experience.
Surrounded by stunning landscapes and a high mountain atmosphere, this destination is perfect for experiencing the adrenaline of extreme skiing in a unique and little-explored environment.
Paragliding and Hang Gliding
In the Puerto de la Ragua area, adventure lovers can enjoy paragliding and hang gliding experiences in an unrivalled natural environment. This area of the Alpujarra of Granada, with its spectacular views of the mountains and valleys, offers ideal conditions for free flight, thanks to its winds and elevation.
Both beginners and experts will find Puerto de la Ragua a perfect place to experience the thrill of flying and contemplate unique landscapes from above. You can leave from the port heading east to Cerro de Almirez or west to Alto de Sanjuán.
Routes in 4×4 vehicles
For those looking for thrills, they can opt for one of the guided tours offered by specialized companies in the region in 4×4 vehicles.
There are several alternatives, such as those excursions that take place through the villages and ravines of the Alpujarra, to those that reach the high peaks of Mulhacén and Pico de Veleta, at more than 3,000 meters high.
Horseback riding routes
Exploring the Alpujarra Granadina on horseback is an unforgettable experience that allows you to enjoy the natural landscape in a calm and authentic way. Horseback riding routes through this region follow paths between mountains, valleys and picturesque villages, surrounded by lush vegetation and impressive views.
From short rides for beginners to longer excursions for experienced riders, these routes offer a special connection with the environment and allow you to discover the essence of the Alpujarra in its purest state.
Canyoning
Another mountain activity that you can do in La Alpujarra, an unrivalled environment for its realisation, is canyon and ravine descents. In La Alpujarra we have several points of reference for this sport, such as the Barranco del Bermejo or Tajo del Cortés, located in the municipalities of La Tahá and Pórtugos, as well as of course the Barranco de Poqueira and the Barranco de Trevélez.
All of them offer fascinating spaces, where, if you decide to take up this sport, in addition to the incredible sensation of the sport itself, you will be able to delight in the tranquility and peace of these high lands.
Climbing and mountaineering
Thanks to the exceptional weather conditions, climbing in the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada massif is possible for 9 months of the year. There are mountain walls suitable for all levels of climbers, from beginners to experts, but all of them will be able to see the most beautiful panoramas and enjoy the feeling of facing new challenges, always in the closest contact with nature.
Bike rides
The paths and routes of the high mountains of Sierra Nevada, as well as the mountain roads and ravines of La Alpujarra, create an ideal setting for mountain biking. If you like this sport, don’t hesitate to venture into the region on a mountain bike, as it will be an unforgettable experience. Furthermore, thanks to the exceptional weather conditions, most of the cycling routes in La Alpujarra and throughout the national park are suitable all year round.
There are specialised companies that will help you find and enjoy the best walks through the white villages of the Alpujarras as well as the most amazing trails, from which you can see the magnificent landscapes of the region and the Sierra Nevada National Park, with the purest and cleanest air in all of Europe.