The park has an area of 86,208 hectares and includes 44 towns in the provinces of Granada and Almería. The highest peak is the 3,481 m Mulhacén, also the higvhest peak in the peninsula. The park has been classified as a National Hunting Reserve since 1966, as well as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. More than 65 plants are native to the area. The Alpujarra region is found on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Excursions through the park can be enjoyed on foot, horseback, mountain bike or with a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Access from Granada is by the road to the Sierra Nevada ski resort and goes up to the Veleta peak. A dirt trail descends to Capileira on the Alpujarreña slope.
Visitor's Center and Information. Province Delegation of the A.M.A. of Granada. Marqués de la Ensenada. Telephone: 958 537600.
Reception Center and Information, Sierra Nevada National Park. Sierra Nevada Road, Km. 23. Dornajo. Telephone: 958 340625.
Iniciativas Lider Alpujarra. Calle Lora Tamayo, 17. Orgiva. Telephone: 958 784340 or 958 784326.

The western part of the province of Granada includes the townships of Loja, Alhama de Granada, and Montefrío. The whitewashed towns nestled between rolling hills and rivers preserve a rich and varied historical heritage.

The Autovía A-92 (motorway) connects Granada with the town of Granada Fe, founded by the Catholic monarchs in the 15th century as a military camp base for the invasions of Granada. The most outstanding monuments are the neoclassical parish church and the gateways to the city.

Loja is located 45 kilometers west of Granada on the A-92 motorway. Of interest are the Alcazaba fortress, the neoclassical Mausoleum of Narváez, the Hermitage of Jesús Nazareno, the 16th century Gothic-mudéjar Church of La Encarnación, the neoclassical Town Hall, and the Church of San Gabriel by Diego de Siloé. Loja is known as the city of water. It boasts numerous springs, many of them channeled into fountains and pillars of great artistic value.

Alhama de Granada is around 52 kilometers from the capital on the C-340 road. Alhama in Arab means "hot baths". Among its monuments, we should highlight the Arab fortress, the Church of La Encarnación, the gothic-Isabelline style House of the Inquisition, the Renaissance structure of Pósito, the old synagogue, and the Renaissance Hospital of La Reina. A spa opens its doors to visitors during the summer months.

* Loja tourist Center. Calle Duque de Valencia, 1. Tel: 958 323949
* Alhama de Granada Tourist Center. Plaza de los Presos, 10. Tel: 958 360686

Baza is 99 kilometers on the N-342 highway. Preserves from its Arab past the Alcazaba fortress, the walls, and baths. There are also remains of the old Jewish quarter. The "Dama de Baza" sculpture discovered here is an excellent example of Iberian culture during the 3rd and 4th centuries B.C. Of special interest are the Gothic church of the Anunaciación with its Plateresque façade by Diego de Siloé, the 16th century former Town Hall (Ayuntamiento), and the Fountain of Caños Dorados.

* Guadix Information Office. Evenida de Granada. Tel: 958 662665