Designated a natural park in 1989, the 12,128ha Sierra de Huétor is only a few kilometres northeast of the provincial capital of Granada, so it is a popular weekend destination for city dwellers. The mountainous area has dramatic geological features characteristic of limestone areas, with narrow ravines, steep cliffs, springs and caves, such as the Cueva del Agua.
Designated a natural park in 1989, this rugged and spectacular limestone mountainous region in the north of Granada province, adjacent to the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park and part of the Sierras Bética, is exceptional for its geological features, with a dramatically eroded landscape of gorges, vertical cliffs, waterfalls and, below ground, numerous caves.
In the northeast of Granada province adjacent to neighbouring Almeria is the sparsely populated 53,649ha Sierra de Baza Natural Park, part of the Cordillera Penibética. Its steep slopes are mainly pine-clad, up to the more barren, rocky ground over 2,000m. Its central part is made up of remote, jagged limestone peaks, which can be snow covered for some of the winter and are inhabited by majestic birds of prey.
On the southern edge of the Sierra Castril Natural Park is this spectacular and exceptional rocky outcrop, the Peña de Castril, which looms large over the whitewashed houses of Castril village. Covering a mere 3.52ha, the rocky crag has the remains of a Medieval castle, which has had its towers and walls recently restored, and unsurpassed views over the countryside around Castril.
Deifontes is a village in Granada province found alongside a famous waterfall which at times expels more than a thousand litres of water per second. Deifontes found alongside a famous waterfall which at times.
Pulianas is comprised of two different areas: Pulianas and Pulianillas. These were originally two independent villages; they united in 1945, through the connection of their respective main roads. In Pulianas, this old road is called la calle Aljibe and in Pulianillas it is called la avenida de Andalucía. Both areas are separated by the Juncaril stream.
Nívar is a great destination for lovers of rural tourism, sports or photography. It forms part of the Natural Park of Sierra de Huétor; its village centre is 1000 metres above sea level. As a result, it offers amazing views over Peñón de la Mata, Cogollos de la Vega and over nearby Granada City.
Jun is located at the edge of the Sierra de Huétor natural park, in the centre of the Granada lowland. The village offers a great combination of natural landscapes and a wealth of heritage and tradition. Jun has origins dating back to Roman times; remains of gravestones have been found with mention of the village. The Roman population was followed by Visigoth and Muslim settlers.
The proximity of Huétor de Santillán to Granada city does not stop visitors from enjoying the great outdoors; the town is located in the Sierra de Huétor natural park, which gives the village its name. Huétor de Santillán was originally a Moorish town, and its narrow streets haven't changed much since then. In the village centre you'll find its grandest monument: la Iglesia parroquial de la Encarnación.
This village is the definition of survival - it has been hit by two earthquakes during its long history. The first was the famous Lisbon earthquake of 1755, which destroyed a large part of the village. The second, considerably more devastating, earthquake hit in 1884 – this one opened cracks in the ground so big that authorities were advised not to reconstruct the village.
Cogollos de la Vega forms part of la Ruta del Califato and has the perfect combination of natural beauty - the Sierra de Huétor - and culture, in the form of important prehistoric sites. Archaeological remains from the Palaeolithic era offer some of the most impressive attractions in Cogollos de la Vega. There are also traces of Neolithic, Roman, Visigothic and Arab culture in the village.
Calicasas is a small village located between la Vega de Granada and la Sierra de Huétor. The area is also known as la Campana Granadina (the Bell of Granada) because the bells ringing in the Alhambra Palace in Granada could always be heard in Calicasas. It is an ideal destination for rural and adventure tourism, with the river Bermejo running through the village, as well as its mountainous countryside and narrow streets.
Leaving behind the impressive wooded Sierra de Huétor Natural Park, just a few kilometres east of Granada city, the terrain becomes increasingly dusty and desert-like. Guadix is located in this dry landscape and is unique for its extraordinary area of caves, where a surprisingly high number of the town's inhabitants still live.
An old legend still attracts treasure seekers to Beas de Granada where it is said a wealthy merchant once hid his fortune before heading off to war. In reality, it is believed he hid his wealth in one of two identical statues, one of which was torn down in the search for the treasure. It seems the remaining statue was somehow able to prove its innocence without having to be toppled over.
This town in the Sierra de Alfaguara, just outside Granada itself, is the highest in the area, at an altitude of 1050m. Its cooler climate and proximity to the regional capital has made it a favourite location for summer residences of Granada's well-heeled.
This village dates back to the 11th century, but remains have been found from Neolithic times as well. It is located on the edge of the Sierra de la Alfaguara mountain range which was beachside property 20 million years ago. Even today fossilised shells and other such remains can be found in the area known as “El Caracolar”.
