Virginia Woolf was hit with a wave of inspiration as soon as she set foot in Andalusia—where she reaped the inspo for her most famous novel. Following her footsteps, you’ll visit the sun-kissed Alpujarras to discover the hidden parts of Southern Spain. Hiking through the dreamy, unspoiled countryside, you’ll reach the forgotten white village of Yegen. Once an artistic refuge, it will serve as your base for serene siestas and loud fiestas, revelatory walks and engaging talks. But this 7-day all-women adventure offers so much more! Before experiencing the meditative side of Andalusia in the Alpujarras, you’ll soak in some good old Mediterranean buzz in Granada. And after all the hikes through terraced farmlands, walks among ornate arches, and balmy evenings made for telling stories, you’re bound to learn the Spanish joy of life.
Your week-long hiking trip in Southern Spain is based on Virginia Woolf’s 1923 visit to Granada and Yegen—a white village in the Alpujarras that became a refuge for important British writers and artists in the 1920s. This all-inclusive walking holiday gives you a chance to experience both the adventurous and the meditative side of Andalucia with a superb local guide and other venturesome women. Get ready for literary pleasures, sun-drenched days spent hiking, afternoon siestas, and evening fiestas—Spain awaits you open-armed!
Make your way to Granada, to the Hotel Reina Cristina, C/Angulo 3, which is where you’ll meet your guide at 5pm. Granada is a magical city, and it was also Virginia Woolf’s first stop during her trip to Spain in 1923. Make yourself comfortable in your room and head for a welcome dinner at 8pm with your Andalucia tour guide and fellow hikers in the nearby restaurant. During your meal, you’ll get to know your group and discuss the details of your itinerary. Soak in the atmosphere of the bustling streets before a good night’s sleep in your hotel. Your Granada and Alpujarras guided tour has begun!
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Ensuite single room at Hotel Reina Cristina
After a delicious breakfast, head to the streets of Granada. Today your group will explore the neighborhoods of Sacromonte and Albaicin with impressive views over the Alhambra, arguably the most impressive monument of Islamic architecture in the world, built during the Islamic medieval rule over this part of Spain. You will go as a group to the majestic Alhambra and spend hours there—not visiting Alhambra during an Andalucia holiday would be a crime! In the evening, around 8pm, you’ll go for dinner with your group.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Ensuite single room at Hotel Reina Cristina
After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to take the bus to Yegen, a beautiful white hamlet in the region of the Alpujarras. Observe the change from the hustle and bustle to sun-drenched slopes of the Andalusian countryside. Once you arrive in Yegen, settle in your comfortable and traditional accommodation in the village. Get to know your surroundings and discover why the British author Gerald Brenan chose this place to be his artistic refuge—before enjoying your dinner with your group.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: El Rincón de Yegen (traditional apartments)
After breakfast, it’s time to get a more in-depth experience of the dreamy village you’ll call home for the next couple of days. Visit Gerald Brenan’s house-museum, where Virginia Woolf (and her husband Leonard) spent 15 days. Afterward, your group will walk along the Gerald Brenan trail, following the footsteps of not only Woolf, but also the painter Dora Carrington and the writer Lytton Strachey (all members of the influential Bloomsbury group). Get inspired as you take in impressive views over arid slopes and the surreal village of Yegen (as seen from the distance). A massage can be booked on arrival as well. Return to your base and spend another peaceful evening in the great company (and surroundings).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: El Rincón de Yegen (traditional apartments)
Hiking: 2.5 km (1.5 miles), 2.5 hours of walking
Today you’re walking along the GR-7 , where you’ll cross homeland of Aben Aboo, the last Moorish king of Andalucia. Departing from Yegen, you’ll reach Montenegro, a charming hamlet with only several inhabitants and farm houses and a chapel. Continue walking to El Golco, another white village, where you’ll spend the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: El Rincón de Yegen (traditional apartments)
Hiking: 6-7 km (4-4.5 miles)
Today’s walk is along the “path of health,” a collage of streams, woods with ancient trees, and scenic views. Return back to your base, celebrate the end of your Spanish escapade with fellow travelers and your guide and recap what you’ve learned and experienced during this week to remember. Tomorrow marks the end of your guided adventure in Andalucia.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: El Rincón de Yegen (traditional apartments)
Hiking: 5 km (3 miles), 2-3 hours
After breakfast, take a group transfer from Yegen after breakfast at approximately 9am to arrive at Malaga Airport at around noon. Make sure to book flights after 2pm. Say goodbye to your new friends, your guide and to Spain—or continue touring on your own in Malaga or somewhere else (ask your guide for recommendations!)
Meals: Breakfast
Fortunate to of experienced 4 or 5 trips with walking women. Love the diversity of trips, the choices, ability to spend time within the group of extraordinary women or time independently. Nothing is missed, such a treat to have everything planned for you. Would highly recommend to all.
From the little I have experienced on my holiday with WW, I can see people and places are carefully selected, and held to a high standard with prices that remain almost affordable for all; curated to make the guest at ease at all times wether in the intinerary of the walks or the destination hotel/B&B stay. As a solo traveler I’m only sorry I didnt discover it sooner 🙂
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
This Andalusia walking tour is suitable for anyone who can walk for up to 5 hours (max. distance 7 km) with numerous breaks. Daily ascents will always be steady and no greater than 660 ft (200 m). Keep in mind that the weather in summer can be very hot and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day. Your guide will always be by your side to assist you with anything and change the route if hiking gets too strenuous.
If you’d love to join a beginner-friendly all-women tour in the Priorat wine region in Spain, check out this guided hiking tour in Priorat. If you’re looking for something a bit more challenging, check out this other all-women hiking tour in the Alpujarras.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
Hiking in Andalucia can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Granada, your starting point, most people fly into Malaga Airport, 1.5 hours away. Make your way to Granada by 5 pm, which is when you’ll meet your guide at Hotel Reina Cristina, C/Angulo 3 for a briefing and short orientation walk before a welcome dinner together at 8pm in a local restaurant.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
Secure one of the 2025 dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
Early Bird booking
Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit.
As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best.
More about how Early Bird bookings work below:
