Drive over lemons in Las Alpujarras

You'll have buns of steel after exploring the steep old mule paths and olive-grove terraces in the valleys of Las Alpujarras. Located just south of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains in Andalucia, Las Alpujarras is a 70km-long series of fertile valleys characterized by Berber-style whitewashed villages, bubbling streams and arid hillsides dotted with cacti and lemon trees.

The region was one of the last Moorish strongholds and until recently it was also one of Spain's most impoverished areas. However, internationals with a penchant for organic farming are moving into the area, bringing a trail of curious tourists in their wake.

On a clear day, the views from Las Alpujarras stretch as far as the Rif Mountains in Morocco.

The town of Lanjarón is the gateway to Las Alpujarras and the water bottled here is sold throughout southern Spain. Behind the town, challenging walking tracks lead off into the mountains. Orgiva is the main town in Las Alpujarras and while it's not much to look at, its craft and produce market on Thursday mornings is worth a visit. Further on, the picturesque villages of Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileria teeter on the side of a gorge, and have plenty of accommodation options and eateries to satisfy travellers.