Bérchules: Sierra Nevada, Water and History

A large part of the municipality of Bérchules lies within the Sierra Nevada Natural and National Park. The landscape of Bérchules combines traditional agricultural uses with various native vegetation formations. As a result, agricultural landscapes and the vegetation of the Mediterranean high mountains meet within the municipality. The Sierra Nevada encompasses Mediterranean high-mountain ecosystems. Thus, alongside agricultural use, the ecological character of the mountainous region is also evident.

Nature

The Mirador de la Platera uses former structures as a viewpoint today. From there, the view extends across Bérchules, Alcútar, Cádiar, and the Sierra. The viewpoint therefore connects the former structures with a vista that encompasses several places and the mountainous region as a whole.

At the Junta de los Ríos, the Río Chico rises on the southern slopes of the pass. The Río Guadalfeo runs from the Sierra de Los Bérchules (Loma de las Albardas) in an east–west direction to its mouth near Salobreña.

The Merendero del Agua Agria is located on the left bank of the Guadalfeo. It has several picnic areas divided into sections. The areas have tables and seating made of stone and concrete, as well as views of the river and its surroundings. The Piscina del río is a medium-sized natural swimming pool on the right bank of the Guadalfeo, whose waters feed it.

The Fuente Agua Agria is an iron-rich, carbonated spring. It can be reached via a stone bridge over the Guadalfeo and a stone staircase.

Discover more places here: Lojilla, Puerto Lope, Albuñol, Torvizcon, Pinos Genil, Gójar, Santa Cruz Del Comercio and Vélez de Benaudalla.

Hiking

The access from Bérchules to the Sendero Sulayr is via the A-4130 in the direction of Juviles; 2.7 km from Bérchules, a long track begins at the Cruz de Juviles hill. The Sendero Local Junta de los Ríos follows an old mule route that connected the Alpujarra with the Marquesado del Zenete, formerly known as “El Sened”. The former name “El Sened” explicitly refers to the historical designation of the Marquesado del Zenete.

Culture

The Fábrica de la Seda preserves the remains of an old silk factory with a still-intact Moorish arch. The Iglesia de San Juan Bautista was built between the 16th and 17th centuries on the site of a former mosque. It consists of three naves, each separated by four arches, and has a preserved wooden roof.

Nochevieja en Agosto is recognized as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico de Andalucía, that is, as a festival of tourist interest in Andalusia. The festival has been celebrated on the first Saturday in August since 1995. Nochevieja en Agosto originated after a power outage on New Year's Eve 1994.

For the higher-level travel overview: Granada.