This is a challenging circular trail through the east of the Alpujarras and Sierra Nevada National Park, riding over very diverse and varied terrain at high altitude.

The first two days of this spectacular ride pass through the southern slopes of the Alpujarras following the ancient Moorish paths and forestry tracks between the picturesque white villages.

The third day we climb to the Peñon del Puerto and maintaining an altitude of over 2,700 metres follow the ridge east to the Puerto del Lobo and the Altos de San Juan. Seemingly endless vista of mountains and plains give an amazing sense of space and wilderness.

The fourth day descending to an altitude of between 2,000 and 2,300 metres the trail passes through pine forests and high summer farm lands. Day five the path crosses the high peaks at nearly 2,700 metres to the Sierra of Trevelez. Day six head home on forestry tracks.

A good level of fitness is required as much of this ride is at high altitude (2 days at over 2,700 metres), on three days there are sections where it is necessary to lead your horse downhill on rough uneven ground for up to an hour. It is necessary to be walking as well as riding fit.

Buena Vista Ride, Spain, Sierra Nevada

The Itinerary

Collection from Malaga airport at designated time and transfer to the picturesque village of Bubion, approximately a two hour drive.

While in Bubion you will stay in the comfortable guest house ‘Casa la Sevillana’.

Dinner with your guide.

Approximately 6 hours riding.

After breakfast you will be driven the 5 kilometres to the stables and introduced to your horse for the week.

Today we head east to the village of Trevelez. The ride starts with a leisurely morning allowing you to become acquainted with your horse. Following a combination of tracks and bridle paths through pine and oak woods we cross over into the valley of La Taha passing the villages of Pitres and Portugos.

After a picnic lunch in the shade of the pines we join the main forestry track leading to the village of Trevelez. During the afternoon there are opportunities for some good trots and canters.

Overnight in the village of Trevelez, renowned for its air cured ham (serrano ham) and at an altitude of 1,476m the highest village in Spain. The final descent into the village is approximately a 15 minute walk on the old bridle path.

Overnight and dinner at Hotel La Fragua. Swimming pool.

Approximately 6 hours riding.

Continuing east we cross the river of Trevelez and follow the centuries old bridle path winding it way along the Moorish irrigation channel. Leaving the oak woods below the path climbs steeply through pine woods to approximately 2,200 metres to join a forestry track leading over into the valley of Berchules.

After a picnic lunch in the shade of the woods we continue along the track passing high mountain farms and pastures. The track follows the contour of the valley deep into the mountains, maintaining an altitude of approximately 2,000 metres there are wonderful views of the high Sierras ahead and the valley below. During the afternoon some nice canters.

The horses spend the night up in the mountains and the riders are driven down to the village of Berchules. Approximately 35 minutes.

Overnight in the very comfortable Hotel Berchules. Swimming pool.

Approximately 8 hours riding.

A spectacular route taking us up to approximately 2,800 metres, following the ridge forming the very backbone of the east mountains of Sierra Nevada.

After breakfast drive back up the mountain to the horses.

The first 4 kilometres of the ride continue on the main forestry track until joining the path leading cross country high into the mountains. Picnic on route. On reaching the summit we leave the path to follow the vast open ridge east to the peak of San Juan. It is difficult to convey in words the grandeur, space and wilderness of these mountains.

From San Juan a steep and stony descent on foot of approximately 40 minutes.

After which we mount up and ride the final hour down to the edge of the pine woods where the horses spend the night and we are driven to the village of Valor approximately an hour.

Overnight in Valor.

Approximately 8 hours riding.

Today we return to the village of Berchules using a totally different and lower route.

The landscape will be very different to that of the previous day. A combination of bridle paths, cattle trails and dirt forestry tracks will take us through pine woods, open pasture land and lower through mountain farms. Horses will stay overnight in Berchules village.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel Berchules.

Please note that there will be sections where it is necessary to lead the horses on steep descents. The final descent to the village is approximately 30 minutes on foot.

Approximately 6 hours riding.

Today we head back to the village of Trevelez on a higher trail than day 4. After traversing the village we follow one of the old bridle paths high into the hills, traversing small farms, pasture lands and irrigation channels to the higher pine forests.

Picnic lunch on the edge of the pines at approximately 2,500 meters. Wonderful views, across the Mediterranean on a clear day to the mountains of Morocco.

After lunch the path follows the open ridge to gradually descend through pines and oaks to the village of Trevelez. On the descent there are numerous short sections where it is necessary to lead the horses.

Overnight and dinner at Hotel Fragua.

Approximately 3 to 4 hours riding.

Today is a short ride. Following the forestry track through pine and oak woods we return directly to the stables high above the villages of the Poqueira.

This route not only offers wonderful views out over the Contraviesa Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, but some good opportunities for canters.

Late lunch in the village of Capileira or Bubion. Afternoon free for some last minute shopping and a well-deserved siesta.

Overnight in the village of Bubion and farewell dinner.

Breakfast and transfer to Malaga airport.

Book the La Buena Vista

Ride Dates

Prices and Details

PRICE (2025):

2,100 Euros

Single Supplement: 250 Euros (Payable on arrival in Spain)

INCLUDES:

6 days riding.

7 nights accommodation with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Guide, backup vehicle for luggage.

Transfer to and from Malaga at pre-arranged time.
Transfer on the day of arrival will be no later than 17.00 hours.
On the day of departure the transfer will return you to Malaga airport for 10.00 hours.

NOT INCLUDED:

Flights,

Personal and medical insurance,

Riding Experience:

It is necessary to be comfortable outdoors at walk, trot and canter.

Weight Limit:

90kg experienced riders,

75kg intermediate.

Book the La Buena Vista

Ride Gallery

  • Horse Trails in the Mountains
  • Horse Trails in the Mountains
  • Horse Riding Mountains
  • Horse Riding Mountains
  • Horse Riding Mountains
  • Horse Holidays Europe
  • Horse Holidays Europe
  • Horse Holidays Europe
  • Horse Trail Riding Holidays
  • Horse Trail Riding Holidays
  • Horse Trail Riding Holidays
Book the La Buena Vista

Our Clients Say

Joining El Marquesado Trail In June. Fantastic ride in the mountains wih breathtaking views all week. Riding up to almost 3000 meters. Absolutely stunning 🙂 Such well trained and beautiful horses.

Nice

accommodations along the way as well as the food. A real pleasure to ride with Dallas and her brother.

Highly recommended! Looking so much forward to my next trail

Ingunn Julseth Kvamme, Germany

Just back from another perfect week with Dallas and her wonderful horses.

This is the second time my mum and I have come to Bubion (first time for the La Alpujarra Ride and this time for El Marquesado) and it couldn’t have been better.

Beautifully

schooled horses; delicious food and brilliant hotels; fantastic company and the most spectacular scenery in the world, and what a way to see it!

For anyone thinking about a riding holiday, an absolute must! Thank you dallas, Mordecai and Jeanette, and not forgetting your beautiful horses. We will be back!

Kate and Emma, U.K

Dallas’s new ride was spectacuar.

For me it retraced parts of both of my previous rides with Dallas – The Contravesia and El Marquesado however the 2 new days were wild and at altitude in the Northern Slopes of the Sierra Nevada – nothing but space and no one but us and the bird and wildlife of the area – ibex and  eagles seen every day.

Well schooled hores

As always, through good schooling, the horses were well mannered and sure footed – knowing and enjoying their job and the terrain well. Max a true gentleman as always!

The accommodation

was comfortable throughout with plentiful, good food and for me the opportunity to swim after a day in the saddle was bliss! Dallas’s lunches continue to be legendary!

We were all return riders so thank you again to Dallas, Mordecai and Jeanette for yet another wonderful week of great riding, great company and always a lot of laughter – my plan is to return again in the Spring.

Ann, U.K

Hi Dallas, I guess by now you will be back from your second Marquesdao ride – my goodness I do admire your stamina!

I notice on the weather forecast this evening that southern Spain is getting some rain (which we are having in abundance here), so I do hope that includes the Sierra Nevada. I haven’t been in touch until now because I think it’s good to let the dust settle a bit before thinking about trips away and how they really went.

Dallas -it was a wonderful adventure, a huge thank you to you and Mordacai for your efforts to give us all a memorable and spectacular trip on wonderful horses – and you did – in spades!

I’ve been telling people it was more of an adventure than a holiday – we were happily exhausted when we returned (not helped by Sleazyjet’s broken plane which led to a five hour delay at Malaga.

Amazing really, as SJ said, good to know people like her are in charge of our national businesses!).  And we wished we had a couple of days to collapse afterwards at some nice local hotel.   But oh my goodness, I will not forget my friend Jeleo (how to spell?) who looked after me so well and was such fun to ride too.

The epic scenery, the spring flowers, the mountain streams, pine groves, cattle and their calves – with bells on – and the great company.  Us pathetic Brits aren’t used to that heat but that was all part of the Spanish experience – as was the Paella which you kindly arranged for me.

There was a feeling that we were on a journey rather than just pottering around in Andalucia, which gave us all a focus and a sense of achievement when we rode back into the stables at the end.  I know the Fiesta and the WONDERFUL village band were vexing for you, but we really adored that snapshot of the locals partying.

It really was a fabulous trip and I would love to come again and try the Alpujara ride – we are doing things in reverse I know!   Best wishes for the rest of the summer and thank you so much.

Rothes,

I just wanted to say a very big thank you for giving me the most special week.  I can honestly say that you gave us all a truly memorable experience of wonderful horses in the most stunning countryside.

The Trails

All the routes and tracks you led us were beyond my expectations and your choice of hotels and menus were all spot on.  How you managed to effortlessly produce lunch for us all out of nowhere was quite beyond my comprehension.

Fantastically Run

You run a fantastically thoughtful and professional enterprise and I will definitely be returning hopefully next year for another experience with you.

With love and best wishes

Sarah-Jane, U.K

“If you want to ride a wonderfully well mannered horse through some simply stunning mountains then this is the trip for you.

The high mountains of the Sierra Nevada are magnificent and the whole experience is one of fun, beauty and enjoyment.

I would not hesitate in recommending this ride”

Ray, U.S

The scenery was spectacular particularly at the highest points in the mountains, and we saw some wonderful sights such as that group of vultures taking off when we rounded a corner.

You and Julio obviously have a very wide knowledge of the areas we were passing through which showed during the week, as was your attention to detail and regard to safety.

Anne

Check other Horse Riding Holidays