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26-578: The Sierra Nevada runs west-to-east for about 80 km. It includes the highest mountain in mainland Spain: the Mulhacén at 3,479 metres (11,414 ft) The term sierra nevada implies the existence of a snow field , an accumulation of permanent snow and ice. However, in the Alpujarras most of the snow melts in the spring and summer, allowing the southern slopes of the Sierra to remain green and fertile throughout

52-483: A few, considered to have genuinely converted to Christianity, were allowed to remain, so as to teach the new inhabitants the silk industry (which they were unable to maintain). Starting in 1571, settlers were brought in from all over Spain; many came from as far away as Galicia. Though they were given various financial incentives, the re-settlement proved difficult. The population of the Alpujarra, estimated at 40,000 before

78-870: Is 1400 km long. From Andorra, the GR 7 continues in France, through the Cevennes to Mont Aigoual and Aire-de-Côte , and then north to Alsace . GR 7 appears to coincide with European walking route E7 in northern Spain, in Andorra, and in France as far as the Cevenne. From the Cevenne the European walking route E7 continues south along Gr 6, through the South of France, Italy , Slovenia , and Hungary . It will eventually end in Romania , so as to create

104-628: Is a long-distance footpath in Spain , Andorra and France . It is part of both the Spanish network of Senderos de Gran Recorrido and the French network of Sentiers de Grandes Randonnées . Part of GR 7 forms the south-westernmost part of the European walking route E4 in Spain. GR 7 runs from Tarifa , near Gibraltar , across Spain, through France into Andorra , and back into France to Mont Aigoual and Aire-de-Côte in

130-559: Is a mountain range in the Andalusian province of Granada in Spain . It contains the highest point of continental Spain: Mulhacén , at 3,479 metres (11,414 ft) above sea level . It is a popular tourist destination, as its high peaks make skiing possible in one of Europe's most southerly ski resorts , in an area along the Mediterranean Sea predominantly known for its high temperatures and abundant sunshine. At its foothills

156-428: Is a ridge running broadly west-south-west - east-north-east. For a substantial distance, the watershed stays consistently above 3,000 metres (9,800 ft). This is sufficient altitude for the peaks to be consistently snow-covered. On the southern side of the range, several long, narrow river valleys lead off towards the south-west, separated by a number of subsidiary ridges. On the steeper and craggier northern side,

182-417: Is also a developing production of wine on the hills between this valley and the sea, and almond trees thrive on its southern slopes. The eastern end of the Alpujarra, towards Ugijar in the province of Almería, is much more arid. The terracing and the irrigation of the hillsides (the "Alpujarra alta") was the work of local Spanish Muslim people of Al-Andalus , who inhabited this area for hundreds of years after

208-592: Is found the city of Granada , and a little further south, Almería and Motril . Parts of the range have been included in the Sierra Nevada National Park . The range has also been declared a biosphere reserve . The Sierra Nevada Observatory , the Calar Alto Observatory , and the IRAM 30m telescope are located on the northern slopes at an elevation of 2,800 metres (9,200 ft). The Sierra Nevada

234-495: The Cevennes . GR 7 continues north from the Cevennes mountains and the final 250 km end on the top of the Ballon d'Alsace , Alsace, northern France; here it meets E5. The Spanish GR 7 is 1900 km long. It was the first long-distance footpath to be marked out in Spain, and was initiated in 1974. It runs up the east side of peninsular Spain , but at some distance from the coast. From south-west to north-east, it runs through

260-670: The Spanish regions of: Like all the Gran Recorrido paths, the GR 7 is marked with red and white waymarks. These waymarks, at least on some segments of the trail, are few and faded. There is a choice of two routes around the Spanish Sierra Nevada, one to the north of the mountains, and one to the south below. The Southern Route through the Alpujarra foothills is popular, linking numerous small Spanish villages. The French part of GR 7

286-657: The " Catholic Monarchs ". Their attempts to force Christianity on the Muslim inhabitants led to successive revolts, the Rebellion of the Alpujarras (1499–1501) and the Rebellion of the Alpujarras (1568–1571) . The revolt of 1568 was a civil war, with the Spaniards deploying large forces against this rural population and with much cruelty on both sides. The revolt ended with the death of the last Spanish Muslim leader in March 1571. The revolt marked

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312-611: The 1920s in South From Granada (1957). Chris Stewart's best-seller Driving Over Lemons: An Optimist in Andalucía (1999), later An Optimist in Spain , is set in La Alpujarra. Michael Tracy's Bubión - the story of an Alpujarran village (Hermitage Books, 2013, ISBN   2930590041 ) provides historical background, description of local customs, discussion of current issues, and an extensive bibliography. Follow-up comments of

338-515: The European Union. Tourism has developed as the natural environment of this area has become better known. Visitors include day-time or weekend visitors from Granada and longer-term tourists from northern Europe. There are bus connections with Granada and Motril; as the motorway extends along the coast, the airports of Malaga and Almeria are brought closer in time. There are also numerous foreign residents, who have also brought income and employment to

364-526: The altitude. Above 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) the climate is Mediterranean -influenced subarctic (Dsc), due to the location's high elevation and low summer precipitation. With June and September being around the threshold of 10 °C (50 °F) in mean temperature to avoid the subarctic classification, the climate at a slightly lower elevation is continental highland climate. At an elevation slightly lower than that classification area; where February means average above −3 °C (27 °F); it falls into

390-579: The area. The villages have good-quality accommodation and shops for tourists. Serrano ham , cured in Trevélez and other high-altitude villages, is a major local product. Mountain biking and walking is provided for, and the GR 7 / E4 European long-distance footpath passes through the region. The Sierra Nevada and most of the Alta Alpujarra is protected under various national and international schemes, ensuring that

416-690: The author are found at https://web.archive.org/web/20130516195101/http://alpujarrabubion.net/ (retrieved 2014-08-18). Elyse Byskof's On Foot in Andalucía: 40 Hiking Excursions in Southern Spain (Granma with a Vengeance) (Volume 1) (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2014, ISBN   1496118189 ) contains much on the Alpujarras. 36°56′N 03°20′W  /  36.933°N 3.333°W  / 36.933; -3.333 Sierra Nevada (Spain) Sierra Nevada ( Spanish: [ˈsjera neˈβaða] ; meaning "snow-covered mountain range")

442-517: The end of Mudéjar style accommodation in Spain between and the Spanish monarchs saw as only way to deal with the Moriscos by complete Christianisation of what they felt to be an utterly alien element within the political body. Thus, the Spanish Monarchs ordered the expulsion of the entire Muslim population from the territory of Granada, who were taken in forced marches to other parts of Spain. Only

468-431: The final revolt, was only about 7,000 by the end of the century. The isolation of this mountain region caused it to remain poor and backward, until during the 20th century it was gradually opened up by improved roads. The Civil War of 1936–1939 was disastrous, as the opposing Nationalist and Republican forces fought over the area. Some villages changed hands more than once, and each time the victor exacted retribution over

494-470: The initial Moorish conquest of 711 AD. They also created villages on the hillsides in the style to which they were accustomed in the mountains of North Africa: narrow, winding streets and small flat-roofed houses. The Catholic " Reconquista " of Spain progressed to the extent that by 1462 only the Emirate of Granada – including the Alpujarras – was left in Muslim hands; and in 1492 the city of Granada fell to

520-452: The normal cool-summer mediterranean classification transitioning with the hot-summer variety in surrounding lowland areas. This renders Sierra Nevada's climate a highland cooled-down variety of a typical mediterranean climate. Summer and winter daytime temperatures are some 12 °C lower than found in Granada , differences that are even greater in spring as Sierra Nevada takes longer to approach

546-587: The rural and the urbanistic features are preserved. The priority now is to promote " sustainable tourism " and as far as possible to extend the tourist period. Pedro Antonio de Alarcón was the first modern writer to describe a visit to the Alpujarras: "La Alpujarra: sesenta leguas a caballo precedidas de seis en diligencia" (1874). In English, 'The Alpujarra: sixty leagues on horseback preceded by six in stagecoach'. Gerald Brenan described his seven-year stay in Yegen in

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572-524: The short summers. In May daytime highs in Sierra Nevada are around 4 °C (39 °F) with Granada having an average of 24 °C (75 °F). The yearly temperature of 3.9 °C (39.0 °F) at the ski station of Pradollano is in stark contrast to Granada 's 15.7 °C (60.3 °F) and coastal Málaga 's 18.5 °C (65.3 °F). [REDACTED] Media related to Sierra Nevada (Spain) at Wikimedia Commons GR 7 (Spain) The GR 7

598-547: The valleys have less regular orientations. This side is dominated by the Rio Genil which starts near Mulhacén and into which many of the other rivers flow. Geologically, the range is composed chiefly of soft micaceous schists , sloping steeply to the north, but more gradually to the south and south-east. According to the Köppen climate classification , Sierra Nevada has a Mediterranean climate , with different variations depending on

624-564: The vanquished. Even after the Nationalist victory in April 1939, guerrilla fighters in the mountains continued their struggle against the Guardia Civil and a locally recruited militia ( Somatén ) based in the villages. This conflict did not end until 1942 when the guerrilla leader was captured. The high villages have lost population as younger people seek work in the cities, in Spain and elsewhere in

650-473: The year, despite the heat of the summer sun. Water emerges from innumerable springs; human intervention has channeled it to terraced plots and to the villages. Olives are grown on the lower slopes, and in the valley below which extends from Órgiva to Cadiar, through which flows the Guadalfeo river. The plentiful water, milder climate, and fertile land favour the cultivation of grapes, citrus, and other fruit. There

676-744: Was formed during the Alpine Orogeny , a mountain-building event that also formed the European Alps to the east and the Atlas Mountains of northern Africa across the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The Sierra as observed today formed during the Paleogene and Neogene Periods (66 to 1.8 million years ago) from the collision of the African and Eurasian continental plates . Central to the mountain range

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