Hiking Los Cahorros

As I mentioned in my last entry, last weekend we had beautiful weather here in Granada. My friends Pauline and Sussu and I decided to spend the better part of Friday in Monachil, a town located just 20 minutes outside of Granada. The town is located in the hills at the foot of the Sierra Nevada with spectacular views of the mountains, olive tree fields and the Río Monachil. After a short bus ride, we were dropped off in the center of town from where we walked about a half an hour to an area known as Los Cahorros. Los Cahorros is home to many trails that make up part of the Sierra Nevada National Park. There are various trails to choose from running through gorges, past waterfalls, over suspension bridges and in beautiful wildflower covered fields all alongside the Río Monachil. When we arrived at the starting point of the park, Sussu, Pauline and I decided to take the route "Los Cahorros Altos". The route is only about five kilometers long (just over three miles) and heads upstream, offering absolutely stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. We had a beautiful day for hiking-temperatures in the low 80s- but the breeze alongside the river made it feel slightly cooler. Everything was green and in bloom and we had a wonderful time just being outside, enjoying some of Granada's most beautiful landscapes. We had a picnic lunch under the shade of a tree in the middle of our hike and when we made it back down to Monachil to wait for our bus back to Granada, we found time for a quick ice cream break. I really can't express just how pretty it was up in the Sierra Nevada; better if I just show you!

Overlooking the hills and olive tree fields of Monachil.

Which path should we take? We all agreed- the longest and most popular- los Cahorros Altos!

Beginning our hike.

Pauline crossing "el puente colgante" (suspension bridge), the longest suspension bridge on the route Los Cahorros Altos.

Sussu and I just before crossing the suspension bridge.

One of the many waterfalls we discovered.

Spring means green everywhere in the lovely Sierra Nevada!

We had to hunch, crawl and crouch like this all day on the paths... in many spots, the rocks jut out and completely block the paths, making "improvising" a way around necessary!

Sussu and Pauline, cooling down in the river.

The water was freezing cold!

Almost through the cave!

Following the river...

The general area where we decided to stop and have our picnic lunch.

If you look closely, you can see the waterfall in the background.

More trails and smaller suspension bridges.

Sussu and I, cooling our water bottles by dipping them in the river for a bit!

Wildflowers lining one of the trails.

As we were making our descent down the mountain, we were greeted by some horses :) Unfortunately, they were more interested in eating the grass than in being pet by us.

As you can see, the whole area of Los Cahorros is breathtaking, especially at this time of year! There are still many other routes left to hike that we didn't get to last Friday; we're already making plans to return to the park with some more friends at various points this spring!