Granada Adventure and Nature Activities

The Andalusian city of Granada, with its unmistakable Arab legacy, sits between hills and between the Darro and Genil rivers. It combines the warmth of ancient buildings, such as the Alhambra and the 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 hiking enthusiasts is to take 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 visit 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 depart from Granada by van, usually from a meeting point. They are done in small groups and 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 do not have to have experience to do it.

The route of Los Cachorros is about 20 minutes from Granada and is one of the most popular in the region. The natural amphitheaters that can be seen on this trail have made Monachil one of the best towns 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 kilometers where you can spend a day surrounded by nature and know its natural and historical jewels.

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

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

During the tour you will appreciate the views from several viewpoints, such as the olive groves around Moclín, Tajos de la Hoz, a natural gorge surrounded by vegetation, the Castle of Moclín and the Watchtowers. Among the most interesting of this tour is to cross the Velillos River 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 through the mountains of Granada is to join an electric bike tour to go 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. Of course, if you travel to Granada in summer, try to avoid the hottest hours.

As for the Silla del Moro, also known as the castle of Santa Elena, it is considered the best viewpoint of Granada, offering a panoramic view of the entire city and Sierra Nevada. It has 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 site surrounded by vegetation.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 146 €.
• Duration: about 3 hours.
• Means of transport: electric bicycle.
• Advantages of this option: includes bike rental, 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 of the Alarife trail, which ascends to the Llano de la Perdiz and gives you a privileged view of the Alhambra, the Albaicín neighborhood with its white houses and the city of Granada.

It is a tour that is done in small groups and accompanied by an expert guide who gives you information about the sites you visit. In addition, they usually provide you with walking sticks to make the walk easier. The trail begins 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. It is of low difficulty, since 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 of 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 done on foot.

If you want to see the most emblematic sites of the city and learn about its 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 be done in the morning or afternoon and provide 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 get to know it in detail, for example, you will have to book a full afternoon.

Among the sites you will see during the tour are the Albaicín neighborhood, which stands out for its white houses, the Sacromonte neighborhood, where the famous abbey is located, and the viewpoint of San Nicolás, from where you can 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: they usually require a minimum age and a maximum weight to participate.

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

In these tours you will know the attractions that are always included in the itineraries of a day in Granada, such as the 17th century Sacromonte Abbey; the viewpoints of San Nicolas and Lona, one of the most important in the city; the Fuente del Avellano, which has a nice view of the Sacromonte neighborhood; and the Albaicin and Sacromonte neighborhoods, 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 elements such as helmets. If you are traveling 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.

Interesting facts

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

Granada is a hilly city where you can take relaxing rides 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 neighborhood 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 neighborhood is one of the most typical of Granada, with cobblestone 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 presented.

The interesting thing about this tour is that it is not only cultural, but it is combined with a walk through nature with the ascent to San Miguel Alto. There you will find the hermitage of San Miguel Arcangel, one of the best churches and cathedrals to visit in Granada, which receives a pilgrimage every September 29th 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 neighborhood and the city. They can take place every day at different times, and are suitable for all ages.

Interesting facts

• Price: about 87 € per person.
• Duration: between 2 and 3 hours.
• Means of transport: the tour is done 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 adventurous hikers is to go snowshoeing in the Sierra Nevada National Park, where you can admire the beauty of the high snow-capped peaks that are some of the highest in Spain. You do not need to have experience to join these activities, as it is suitable for beginners.

In addition, they are tours that are conducted with a professional guide, who gives you instructions for walking in the snow and ensures that the experience is totally safe. The companies usually provide you with poles and snowshoes, but you will need appropriate footwear and clothing for the cold.

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

Interesting facts

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

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

These bike tours usually last about 2 hours and take place in the company of an expert guide who introduces you to the most emblematic of each neighborhood. They are usually done in small groups and on electric bicycles, so you don't have to make a big effort to climb slopes. If you are traveling to Granada with children, keep in mind that not all bikes have seats for them.

The Albaicín has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO 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, the 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 usually performed.

Interesting facts

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

If you are a nature lover, you will be interested to know that near 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 must reserve a full day in Granada, as it is located about 70 km from the city. A comfortable option to get there is to hire a guided excursion from Granada, as this way you are assured of comfortable transportation, as well as having the valuable information provided by the professional guide about the formation of the geopark, its flora and fauna.

One of the must-see sites of 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: about 9 hours.
• Means of transport: bus and on foot.