Corralon holiday house, Castril, Granada Geopark, Andalusia, is ideal for families and friends, or to lead wellness retreats. 3 independent apartments (each sleeps 6) in spacious modernized farmhouse next to Castril Natural Park, village and services: 8 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 living-dining room-kitchen areas, one of 50m2, ideal for reunions. Capacity: 18 guests. (More guests up to 26 guests possible with prior consultation). Spacious and beautiful grounds, private large pool and parking. No parties: respect the silence from 00:00 to 08:00. Background music only throughout the day.
Ideally located just a few minutes´ drive from bars/restaurants, supermarket, gas station... Pets are allowed (previous consultation).
Guided and self-guided activities/excursions available:
WHAT TO DO
Eco-friendly activities
Kayaking
Rafting
Horse riding
Wild swimming
Cultural - educational visits, for example visit to organic vineyards and olive groves with wine-tasting for all the family
4x4 Segway in nature
E-Biking
Hiking routes for Everyone
Canyoning
Star gazing
Kayaking
Rafting
4x4 adventures in Granada Geopark
In this privileged spot, griffon vultures, golden eagles, peregrine falcons and bearded vultures nest, and mountain goats, Segureño sheep and deer roam freely.
The sun shines almost every day of the year here and we get surprisingly beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The large picture windows overlook stunning panoramic views to the Sierra Nevada.
WHAT TO SEE
Castril Castle visit
Visit the 11th century Nasrid Castril Castle, that looks over Granada Geopark with breathtaking 360º panoramic views of orchard gardens, Sierra de Castril mountains, Portillo lake, and Castril Nature Park.
Right in the middle, stands the 3 metre high Sacred Heart of Jesus statue, emblem of Castril. This castle is a magnificent example of Islamic architecture. Many battles took place here in attempts to control this Muslim military fortress, until it was eventually conquered by Ferdinand and Isabel in 1488. In 1490, the Catholic Kings handed over this small fortress-town to Hernando de Zafra as a tribute to his military participation in the victorious war that reconquered Granada from the Moors. Nowadays, the fascinating castle ruins have been lovingly restored and must be visited.
Amazing 15th Century Church
Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles church was originally built around the end of the 15th century and the beginning of the next, just after the Catholic Kings received permission from Pope Innocent VIII to start erecting religious places of worship. The Kings´ secretary, Hernando de Zafra promoted its construction in mainly Renaissance style. The church was partially destroyed in a fire provoked by French invading troops in 1810 and then lovingly restored. Beautiful gardens surround this magestic building, los jardines de la Lonja. Well worth a visit!
Stroll through the Old Town
Deep in the heart of authentic Andalusia, Castril still conserves its traditional lifestyle intact. A special charm emanates from the old town´s narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed houses. Enjoy the outstanding panoramic views from the Cantón, the Villa, the Chorro and the Vasarillos.
LOCAL FIESTAS
Famous bulls festival (2nd weekend in October)
As part of the village patron saint´s celebrations which starts on the first Sunday of October, bulls have been brought down from the mountain pastures and released in Castril main square since the XVI century for the youngsters to energetically play. These famous traditional festivities are celebrated on the 2nd Friday to Sunday of October by families and friends alike!
CASTRIL NATURE RESERVE
This astoundingly beautiful Castril nature reserve has a spectacular rugged landscape of imposing escarpments, ravines, waterfalls and valleys, chasms, caves and galleries. The mountain range, whose highest peaks exceed 2,000 m, is crossed by Castril River. Ideal for mountaineering, canyoning, hiking, trail running, mountain biking, caving etc.
MAGDALENA FOUNTAIN WALK
Just past the campsite, ¨Los Cortijillos¨ is a beautiful route for all the family through a pine forest (around an hour there and back at a relaxed pace). Follow the path up to the Magdalena Fountain, of outstanding beauty, and have a dip in its rejuvenating pool.
RIVER SOURCE WALK
One perfect outing for everybody is a visit to Castril river source in the heart of this nature reserve, an awesome one and a half hour hike following the river till you discover its source, deep in the entrails of Sierra de Castril Nature Park. When the wind blows, the river swells and rises in a most spectacular way
FLORA AND FAUNA
On the highest peaks of this stunning nature reserve, the salgareño pine stands out, along with creeping junipers. Holm oaks, gall oaks and maples can be found at the Tunez and La Magdalena ravines. Deer, mouflon and mountain goat inhabit the peaks together with many birds of prey such as the griffon vulture, peregrine falcon and Egyptian vulture which nest on the limestone walls and share the vast Andalusian skies with the golden eagle, short-toed eagle or booted eagle. The rivers and fluvial groves are home to riverside dwellers: otters, gray herons, wagtails, dippers and robins…The amazing bearded vulture was reintroduced to this region in 1986 thanks to a captive breeding programme and nowadays many of these birds enjoy Castril as their home.
Car rental to and from the airports of Alicante, Malaga, Granada and Murcia airports is cheap, with good roads and no tolls. The drive up to Castril is extremely picturesque and easy!
