Granada & Sierra Nevada

Hola,

So we left Tarifa a week ago and to be honest we were gutted to be leaving such a beautiful unspoilt place and knew that the next stop would be totally different especially as we passed through Marbella & Malaga towards Motril as the landscape was filled with motorways and high rise hotels/apartments and became more obviously touristy but we both knew that we had to move on, a bit like when we left the snow & Meribel.  We arrived at Motril and were pleasantly surprised as the campsite Playa De Poniente (funnily the name of one of the winds we had left behind in Tarifa) was basic but right on the beach and had good facilities although rather small pitches but we found one big enough for our van & trailer.  We only planned to stay a couple of nights here as had decided to head North into the Sierra Nevada region which was only 50 miles away.  Once set up we went for the usual explore on foot and by bike along the lovely beachside cycle paths.  The beach was totally different from Tarifa with grey sand and polished pebbles and of course this time it was the med not the Atlantic and it was nice to sit on the beach throwing stones into the water without being sand blasted by the wind!!!  Whilst sat on the beach Julie & I were casually throwing stones over our shoulders into the sea while chatting, we had been doing this for 10 minutes or so and then just as I launched another stone I glanced over my shoulder and to my shock there was a Spanish bloke walking along the waters edge with a stone heading straight for him but luckily it just brushed his shoulder so after a pathetic English apology and some arm waving I think he understood it was an accident!!  Thank god as he was a lot bigger than me!!

After 2 nights at Motril we headed the 50 miles north towards Granada & the Sierra Nevada not knowing what to expect but the campsite had good reviews.  We knew nothing about the area or surroundings but not long after we left Motril and began the climb up towards Granada we knew it was going to be somewhere special as the scenery and roads got better and better.  Once off the small ring road around Granada we continued to climb up and then we got our first glimpse of the Sierra Nevada mountain range with it’s snow capped peaks.  The road resembled the road up to Meribel in the Alps with it’s hairpin bends and mountains either side the only difference being the sun was out and it was 30 degrees.  The sat nav then said that we were close to our destination, with that round the next hairpin we were confronted by a huge reservoir called EMBALSE DE CANALES which covers an area of 176 square kilometres and to a depth of 156 metres with aqua blue crystal clear water which is fed from the Rio Genil which is basically snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada mountains.  We couldn’t believe it as the campsite, just outside a little village called Guejar Sierra, was perched 200m above the reservoir so once at reception we were asked to go and pick a pitch we could’t believe our luck as there was a empty pitch on the very edge looking down into the reservoir and mountains beyond, words can’t describe the scenery, just breathtaking, hopefully the pictures give you some idea.  

One thing we just had to do was go up and visit the ski resort which was only about 20 miles away but at an altitude of 3,500 metres at the summit.   There are two ways to get to the resort either back to Granada and up on a main road or through our village and across the end of the reservoir then up a single track windy, steep road which doesn’t see much traffic and we found out why as it was steep and windy enough on the bike but amazing.  Once at the top we joined the main road into the resort and headed for the top, it was quite spooky as the roads in the resort were deserted as were all the shops, hotels & restaurants and even the chairlifts were hanging idle above the streets, just like a ghost town.  We kept going up and until we could go no further but to our surprise there were 2 small car parks and a couple of cafes and a surprising number of people walking around, there were even children with toboggans heading for what snow was left.  There must have been some sort of competition on as there were people walking back to the car park with skis over there shoulders clad in lycra with numbers pinned to their backs, god only knows how they got up to the snow to ski down as all the lifts we closed, sod walking back down the rocks where the snow line finished with ski boots on let alone walking up!!  We made our way to one of the runs and took a couple of photos it was strange being back on snow and being at altitude but fun and great to see.

One thing we wanted to do was paddle board the length of the reservoir so we sussed out a place to park the motorhome whilst out on the bike which we thought would be OK so the next day we set off but disaster struck……all was going well with Julie getting out and checking the clearance under the back of the van on the tight bends down to the reservoir but as we were nearly there and on one of the last bends we heard an almighty scrape which we thought was just the tow bar grounding out but we immediately stopped & got out but were horrified to see both rear plastic corner panels had caught the road and broke away from their clips cracking the plastic on each bottom corner, it looked horrific but on closer inspection we had had a lucky escape so after some careful manoeuvring we managed to free the van without any further damage and decided to give it up as a bad job and head back to camp to make some repairs!!!  Luckily I had sikaflex adhesive and super glue so removed the damaged panels re-applied the clips and put the van back together and to be honest you would never know, however we have decided to get the panels replaced when we get back to the UK but will claim on our insurance as believe it or not 2 bits of plastic are £800 each……ouch but that’s what you have insurance for!!  It’s funny really as in a book that we have read about a family that did exactly what we are doing they also had some disasters too but after a couple of days it was all forgotten about as it’s all just part of the adventure.  The day was not lost as later that afternoon we found a secluded spot on the reservoir and had a lovely swim and surprisingly the water was warm for melted snow and very refreshing as it was so hot.

We were not to be beaten on the paddle board front so the next day found somewhere better to take the van but didn’t want to leave the van there as it was a bit remote so I dropped Julie and the paddle boards off and took the van back to camp and went back on the bike which took all of 10 minutes, why we didn’t do it that way the day before heaven knows but you live & learn.  It was well worth the effort as the paddle board up the reservoir through the valley and back was EPIC with the crysta clear waters, rocks below and steep mountains either side, we had the whole place to ourselves I mean absolutely nobody, quite spooky.  Julie was a bit concerned what would happen if the dam burst so I just told her we would be giblets….!!! After a couple of hours we went back to camp for lunch.

Our pitch is right at the top of that hill where Julie is pointing.

After lunch we headed into Alhambra to see the Islamic city, palaces & gardens dating back to 1237 when construction began and continued over many centuries. WOW once again we hope the pictures give you some idea, absolutely fantastic, apparently it is one of the most photographed and visited spectacles in Europe and we could see why.

After 5 nights here we are continuing our journey towards Barcelona but have been totally blown away with Granada & Sierra Nevada so if you ever get the chance it’s well worth a visit.

That’s all folks.

J&J

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