Granada Adventure and Nature Activities

The Andalusian city of Granada, with its unmistakable Moorish legacy, sits between hills and between the Darro and Genil rivers. It combines the warmth of ancient buildings, such as the Alhambra and Sacromonte Abbey, with surroundings surrounded by nature, making it perfect for outdoor walks.

If you are looking for things to see and do in Granada related to adventure and nature, in this article you will find many options, from relaxed walks to the city's viewpoints to hiking routes that can make your visit an ideal combination of nature and culture.

A great option for hikers is a tour through the Monachil river canyon to Los Cahorros in the Sierra Nevada National Park. The route is about 6.5 km long and allows you to see caves, waterfalls, extensive suspension bridges, tunnels, gorges, natural pools and enjoy a day surrounded by nature.

These tours usually last between 3 and 4 hours and leave from Granada by van, usually from a meeting point. They take place in small groups and are accompanied by a professional guide who will tell you about the natural wonders that you will discover along the way. Obviously, you can always do the route on your own, especially considering that the trail is of low difficulty, so you don't need to have any experience to do it.

The Los Cachorros route is about 20 minutes from Granada and is one of the most popular in the region. The natural amphitheatres that can be seen on this trail have made Monachil one of the best villages to visit in Granada.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 41 € per person.
• Duration: between 3 and 4 hours.
• Means of transport: van and on foot.

One of the best hiking tours in Granada that you can do is the Gollizno route, a circular trail of about 8 kilometres where you can spend a day surrounded by nature and discover its natural and historical gems.

The Gollizno route starts in the village of Moclín, which is about 33 km from Granada. Tours usually take you to the start of the trail by vehicle and from there you set off on the hike accompanied by an expert guide, who will make sure you don't miss any of the highlights.

It is a route that can be done all year round, but is ideal for spring and autumn in Granada, when temperatures are milder. Children can also take part, as it is a low-difficulty hike.

During the walk you will be able to appreciate the views from several viewpoints, such as the olive groves around Moclín, Tajos de la Hoz, a natural gorge surrounded by vegetation, Moclín Castle and the Torres Vigías (watchtowers). Amongst the most interesting things to do on this route is to cross the river Velillos by the suspension bridge and explore the cave paintings found near the Fuente Corcuela. Both are usually included in these tours.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 43 € per person.
• Duration: about 3 hours.
• Means of transport: by vehicle and on foot.

A highly recommended option for a ride in the mountains of Granada is to join an electric bike tour to the Silla del Moro. With these bikes you can have a fun and exciting experience without making an extreme effort to climb the slopes.

They last approximately 3 hours and usually start with a brief explanation so you can learn how to use these bikes. They also provide you with a helmet, which guarantees a safer experience. However, if you are travelling to Granada in summer, try to avoid the hottest hours.

The Silla del Moro, also known as the castle of Santa Elena, is considered the best viewpoint in Granada, as it offers a panoramic view of the whole city and the Sierra Nevada. It served as a watchtower for the Acequia Real during medieval times and is located on the north face of the Cerro del Sol, in a place surrounded by vegetation.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 146 ¤.
• Duration: about 3 hours.
• Means of transport: electric bicycle.
• Advantages of this option: includes bike hire, helmet and professional guide.

You don't need to leave Granada to enjoy natural landscapes and spend a day breathing fresh air. On the outskirts of the city you can take a tour along the Alarife trail, which climbs up to the Llano de la Perdiz and gives you a privileged view of the Alhambra, the Albaicín neighbourhood with its white houses and the city of Granada.

This tour is done in small groups and is accompanied by an expert guide who provides you with information about the sites you visit. In addition, you are usually provided with walking sticks to make the walk easier. The trail starts at the Camino del Avellano and ends at the Acequia del Tercio, the highest branch of the Acequia Real de la Alhambra, where there is a waterfall and a viewpoint.

The route is about 6 km long and takes about 3 hours to complete. It is of low difficulty, as only the first section is uphill, the one that goes up to the Silla del Moro. All along the way you can enjoy the forest, the views of the Darro river valley and some of the best palaces in Granada, such as the Sacromonte Abbey and the Alhambra, among others.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 35 € per person.
• Duration: about 3 hours.
• Means of transport: the tour is on foot.

If you want to see the most emblematic sites of the city and learn about their history and significance while doing an outdoor activity in Granada, you can sign up for a historical segway tour accompanied by an expert guide.

These tours are done in small groups and allow you to see Granada's must-see attractions such as the Alhambra and the cave houses of Sacromonte. They can take place either in the morning or in the afternoon and you are provided with all the equipment you need.

Please note that they do not usually include entrance to the monuments, as they are more like sightseeing tours. Also, if you want to take a guided tour of the Alhambra to see it in detail, for example, you will need to book a full afternoon.

Among the sites you will see during the tour are the Albaicín quarter, which is noted for its white houses, the Sacromonte quarter, where the famous abbey is located, and the San Nicolás viewpoint, from where you will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the Alhambra. Note that you can also book a private Segway tour if you prefer to do the tour alone with your family or friends.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 68 € per person.
• Duration: about 3 hours.
• Means of transport: Segway.
• Disadvantages of this option: a minimum age and maximum weight are usually required to participate.

A fun way to get to know the city of Granada is to join a bike tour through its streets, neighbourhoods and paths to reach its most representative monuments, viewpoints, fountains, etc., while you learn about the history and culture of the city. These tours are done on electric bicycles, so you won't have to make a great effort to do these routes.

On these tours you will see the attractions that are always included in the one-day itineraries in Granada, such as the 17th century Sacromonte Abbey; the viewpoints of San Nicolás and Lona, one of the most important in the city; the Fuente del Avellano, which has a beautiful view of the Sacromonte neighbourhood; and the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighbourhoods, the most typical of the city.

In general, the tours are done in small groups and accompanied by a professional guide who will take you to the most representative sites of Granada. It also includes bike rental and other items such as helmets. If you are travelling with friends or your family, another option is to hire a private electric bike tour, if you prefer a more intimate ride with your travel companions.

Useful information

• Price: from 55 €.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Means of transport: electric bicycle.
• Disadvantages of this option: there is a minimum age to take part in these tours and a good level of fitness is required.

Granada is a hilly city where you can take a relaxing ride and enjoy the beautiful views of the city. If you are one of those people who like to explore on foot, you can independently join a private tour in Granada to the Sacromonte quarter and climb to the top of the San Miguel Alto hill to admire the panoramic views of the Alhambra and the whole city.

The Sacromonte quarter is one of the most typical of Granada, with cobbled streets and the characteristic white painted houses or cave houses, which were built since the 15th century by the gypsies and where today the flamenco shows called Zambras are performed.

The interesting thing about this walk is that it is not only cultural, but is combined with a nature walk and a climb to the San Miguel Alto. There you will find the hermitage of San Miguel Arcángel, one of the best churches and cathedrals to visit in Granada, which receives a pilgrimage every 29th of September in Granada.

These tours usually last between 2 and 3 hours and are usually done with a professional guide who makes sure to point out the most interesting sites related to the history and culture of the neighbourhood and the city. They can take place every day at different times and are suitable for all ages.

Interesting facts

• Price: around 87 euros per person.
• Duration: between 2 and 3 hours.
• Means of transport: the route is on foot.
• Disadvantages of this option: you need to be in average physical condition to fully enjoy this experience.

An ideal hiking experience in Granada for the adventurous is snowshoeing in the Sierra Nevada National Park, where you can admire the beauty of the snow-capped peaks, some of the highest in Spain. You don't need any experience to take part in these activities, as they are suitable for beginners.

What's more, these tours are done with a professional guide, who will give you instructions on how to walk in the snow and ensure that the experience is totally safe. The companies usually provide you with poles and snowshoes, but you will need suitable footwear and clothing for the cold.

The hikes usually start at the Sanctuary of the Virgen de las Nieves, which was built at the end of the 18th century, and end with a view of the Pico de Veleta, one of the highest peaks in the Sierra Nevada. This is undoubtedly an ideal experience for those seeking thrilling adventures in nature, and it can be done almost all year round, although the most recommendable months are from January to the end of March, when it is the snow season in Spain.

Useful information

• Price: from €48 per person.
• Duration: between 1 and 3 hours.
• Means of transport: the route is on foot.

Visiting the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighbourhoods by bike is a great option that combines culture and nature in Granada. These are two neighbourhoods full of history located in the hills of the city, with their characteristic cobbled streets and white-painted houses that are considered jewels of the Arab and gypsy heritage in Granada.

These bike tours usually last approximately 2 hours and are accompanied by an expert guide who introduces you to the most emblematic parts of each neighbourhood. They are usually done in small groups and on electric bikes, so you don't have to make a big effort to climb steep slopes. If you're travelling to Granada with children, be aware that not all bikes have child seats.

The Albaicín was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 and tours like this one usually take you to see its ancient buildings, such as the 16th-century Colegiata del Salvador, and the San Nicolás viewpoint, which offers incredible views of the Alhambra, among others. As for Sacromonte, tours usually include a visit to the typical whitewashed houses on the hills, the Sacromonte Abbey and the cave houses built by the gypsies since the 15th century, where today some flamenco shows in Granada are performed.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 35 € per person.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Disadvantages of this option: a minimum age is usually required to use the bicycles. You need to be in good physical condition.

If you are a nature lover, you will be interested to know that close to the city is the Geopark of Granada, considered one of the least altered landscapes by human civilization in Europe. Declared a World Geopark by Unesco, it is home to sediments and fossils from the last five million years of the planet's history.

To get to this park you should book a full day in Granada, as it is about 70 km from the city. A convenient way to get there is to hire a guided excursion from Granada, as this ensures comfortable transport, as well as the valuable information provided by the professional guide about the formation of the geopark, its flora and fauna.

One of the must-see sites in the Geopark is the Mirador del Fin del Mundo, from where you have a privileged view of the imposing rock formations of Cárcavas del Marchal, the Alhama River Valley and the peaks of the Sierra Nevada in the background.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 99 € per person.
• Duration: around 9 hours.
• Means of transport: bus and on foot.