The highest permanently inhabited village in mainland Spain. The altitude and cold mountain air create ideal curing conditions — Trevélez jamón serrano is among the finest in the country, and the views from the barrio alto are extraordinary.
At 1,476 metres above sea level, Trevélez is the highest permanently inhabited village in mainland Spain — a distinction it shares with no other Alpujarras village. The combination of altitude, cold temperatures, and the dry mountain air creates the ideal conditions for curing jamón serrano, and Trevélez ham has been produced here for centuries. The curing sheds (secaderos) are a visible part of the village landscape — walk up through the three tiers (barrios alto, medio, and bajo) and you'll pass them on the way.
The village is also the most popular starting point for the ascent of Mulhacén (3,479m) — the highest peak in mainland Spain — though that's a serious multi-hour undertaking requiring proper equipment. The barrio alto at the top is the quietest and has the best views across towards Morocco on clear days. Plenty of restaurants in the village serve the local ham in various forms. About 90 kilometres and 90 minutes from Granada, and worth combining with the three Poqueira villages on a full day out.
The village has three distinct tiers — barrio bajo at the road level, barrio medio in the middle, and barrio alto at the top. The lowest is the most commercial. The alto is the quietest and has the best views and the most atmospheric streets.
The curing houses sell direct to visitors and the prices are noticeably better than in Granada. A vacuum-packed whole leg travels well. Trevélez ham has a distinct flavour from the altitude and cold — it's worth buying here rather than back in the city.
Trevélez is further east along the mountain road than the Poqueira trio. If you want to see all four villages in one day, leave Granada early, do Pampaneira, Bubión, and Capileira first, then drive the 30 minutes east to Trevélez for the late afternoon.
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