Láujar De Andarax between the Sierra Nevada and the Río Andarax

At the foot of the Sierra Nevada

Laujar de Andarax lies at the foot of the Sierra Nevada and in the upper valley of the Río Andarax at an altitude of 918 m. The mountain setting, river valley and elevation therefore define the town’s geographical context. For a visit, the natural surroundings and local history can be viewed as two distinct themes: the trails lead through wooded and elevated landscapes, while churches, monastery ruins and a palatial residence provide tangible traces of the town’s architectural history. The elevation also makes the transition from the valley to the mountain region visible.

El Nacimiento and trails into the Sierra Nevada

The El Nacimiento recreation area is the source of the Río Andarax. Tables stand beneath the trees; the area also includes cascades and calm pools of water. The Laujar de Andarax visitor centre can be reached from Laujar de Andarax via the C-332 road, and the car park is located at kilometre 1. This natural setting therefore combines water, shade and a clearly marked access point.

Several hiking trails into the Sierra Nevada start from El Nacimiento; the Senda de Monterrey is one of them. Route D from Laujar de Andarax via Loma Raspa and back passes through riparian forests, many centuries-old holm oaks, reforested pine forests and high-mountain grasslands. The succession of riparian woodland, ancient holm oaks, pines and grasslands divides the route into different natural landscapes and gives a day of hiking a clear landscape theme.

Architectural history spanning different periods

The Iglesia Parroquial de la Encarnación was built in the 17th century. The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Salud also dates from an earlier construction phase: it was built between the 17th and 18th centuries. At the Ermita, the exterior is characterised by the Mudéjar style and the interior by the Baroque style. By contrast, only the ruins of the Convento de San Pascual remain from the monastery built between the 17th and 18th centuries. The construction dates, styles and states of preservation give these buildings different points of focus for exploring the town.

One of the few surviving palatial residences in Laujar de Andarax is located on Calle Granada. The house has three storeys and a coat of arms of the Moya family carved in white stone. An inscription on its façade gives 1732 as the year of construction and names Agustín Gómez as the original owner. The address, three storeys, coat of arms and inscription make the building a tangible stop on a walk through the town.

The fountains are also part of a walk through the town’s streets. A route along the fountains of Laujar de Andarax, locally known as “pilares”, invites visitors to stroll through the streets. Alongside the trails through riparian forests and high-mountain landscapes, this provides a town route framed by fountains and streets.

More destinations

For further orientation, you can choose from Nijar, Almería, Alhama De Almería, Las Hortichuelas, Lucainena De Las Torres, Roquetas De Mar, Berja and Turre.

For the higher-level travel overview: Almeria.