Herbal Walk – One Day Course
Enjoy a walk in the picturesque Alpujarra and discover the abundant herbs and wild flowers in the Lanjaron area.
The walk is over rough terrain ( it has been managed by a 5 year old and the over 70’s) so please wear suitable shoes, Flip-flops are not adequate.
A refreshment stop is provided, but please bring a small bottle of water and sun-cream with you.
Course Outline
09.45 We meet at the Tourist Office in Lanjaron
10.00 We walk to our home above Lanjaron, stopping to identify native flowers and herbs and for as refreshment break
12.30 On arrival at our cortijo, you will be served drinks then given a tour of our herb farm
13.30 A delicious lunch of local ingredients including wine
14.30 Making herbal preparations and tasting a variety of herbal teas
16.00 Return via a different route to the village of Lanjaron arriving approximately at 5pm
The walk is along country tracks, with some cross country walking, approximately 2 km. We will be looking for a variety of herbs, such as a medieval 'odour-eater', a Roman pan scourer, a hair and nail tonic , a blood cleanser not to mention a herb that helps gold-prospectors find gold!
The wild flowers of the Alpujarra are astonishing, with some 2,500 species being found in the Sierra Nevada National Park, over a quarter of all flowerd found on the Iberian Peninsula.
Some 116 are endanged and 66 are endemic to the Sierra Nevada National Park.
Once we arrive at our cortijo, and everyone has been given a refreshing drink, then you will be shown around our organic herb farm. We farm on terraces built by the Moors, in sight of the Mediterranean Sea and warmed by the Spanish sun.
Our terraces are watered by the snow melt from the Sierra Nevada and we enjoy the wonderful climate. We grow all our herbs organically, using no synthetic or chemical fertilisers or pesticides.
After the tour, we will enjoy a lunch of local ingredients, many form the garden. Lunch inlcudes wine , beer or a non-alcoholic drink. You will have a fewminutes to relax and enjoy the garden while the afternoon session is set up. There will be a brief talk about growing, harvesting and using herbs, with a demonstration of the various methods of preparing herbs for use.
Then the fun begins, everyone will have the opportunity to make some lotions and potions! recent preparations have been , a sage foot powder, lip balm, shower herbal bags and a thyme and witch-hazel foot spray.
After a herbal tea tasting session, we will make our way back to the village of Lanjaron via a slightly different route in order that you can enjoy the panoramic views of the village, the Lecrin Valley and the Mediterranean Sea. Our arrival in Lanjaron should be about 5pm ish!
