The Sierra Nevada
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The Sierra Nevada covers
an area of approximately 1,000 square miles in the provinces
of Granada and Almeria, Andalucia. It forms the highest
mountain range on mainland Spain. A region of great natural
beauty and diversity it was declared a biospherical reserve
by UNESCO in 1986 and more recently a National Park by the
Spanish government. The many microclimates have given rise
to the richest botanical life in Europe, claiming 52 indigenous
species, more than the entire continent of Europe and Russia
together.
Riding from village to village through Sierra Nevada presents
you with an ever changing landscape, no two valleys, ravines
or summits are alike. The flora likewise, continually changes
according to the altitude. In one day it is possible to
pass from Mediterranean olive and almond groves up through
chestnut and oak woods and on through pine forest to high
summer meadows irrigated by the snow melt.
The Trails
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With more than 30 years knowledge of this region Dallas
has chosen a selection of trails offering an amazing diversity
of terrains, views and flora. The rides follow ancient bridlepaths
and drovers routes, dating back to the Moorish occupation
and before.
Many of these paths have been in use for a thousand years
or more, as have the terraces and irrigation channels they
transverse. Through parts of the mountains there are more
recent dirt tracks providing opportunities for canters and
gallops, as do some of the river beds on the spring and
autumn rides.
The paths in many places are built into rock and on some
of the steeper descents it is necessary to lead your horse.
Likewise it is necessary to lead the horses through the
narrow village streets.
Here it is possible to forget the pressure of daily life
and to ride all day meeting only the occasional shepherd
or farmer. No fences or tarmac roads, a wonderful sense
of freedom and space, rarely found in Europe today.
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