In the province of Granada we find, if we crane our necks, the municipality of Trevélez. It’s a jewel in the mountains of the Alpujarras region, part of the Sierra Nevada National Park.
The village is divided into three districts: high, middle and low, which ascend from the river Trévelez, a great spot for trout fishing, up to the peak of Mulhacén, with part of the village nestled between the mountains. It’is not only the highest village in Granada and Andalucía, but the highest in the whole of the Iberian Peninsula, reaching an altitude of 1,476 metres above sea level.
How to get here? You are probably wondering how to get to this village. The easiest way is by car, taking the A-4132 up the steep mountainside, but there are also regular buses that connect the village to surrounding population centres in the lowlands.
Trevélez comes from the Latin word velex which means valley and could refer to the three valleys into which the different districts are divided.
If you want to know a little more about its history, all you have to do is walk through the centre, where tradition is evident in every building. This area was occupied by the Moors, who came to the Alpujarras and settled in its mountains. After their expulsion, all the villages began to be inhabited by the Andalucian peoples.
What is there to see and do in Trevélez?
Although the village itself is not very big, and can in fact be covered in a day, it has a lot to offer.
The 16th century church of San Benito, beloved patron saint of the village whose fiestas are celebrated in July, is located in the Barrio Bajo and is one of the most emblematic buildings in the area. Nearby, there is a path that leads you through a natural area for about 2 kilometres until you reach the stone bridge, one of the best things to see with children.
Another example of its religious culture is the hermitage of the Virgen de las Nieves, which was built with the stone of the Mulhacén on one of the peaks.
Given the location of Trévelez, it's not surprising that water, filtered through the rock of the mountain, is of the highest quality. That’s why you will find decorated fountains throughout the town that are worth a visit. Some of the most important are the Chestnut Tree Fountain and the Mulhacén Fountain. The beauty of these charming waterworks makes them the subject of most tourists' photos.
But if there is one thing you can't miss, it is the famous hams of Trévelez, renowned for being cured as nature intended, in the fresh mountain air of the Sierra Nevada. They have Denomination of Origin status and are visible in pride of place throughout the village drying in sheds and available to try as well.
With all this on offer, who could resist spending a few days here? If you have already fallen in love with this village, you can enjoy long term rental accommodation. Or if you prefer, book a holiday cottage or hotel in this area of the Alpujarras.
