Land of wine and blossom

Discover the Sierra Nevada’s less well known little sister, writes Jo Chipchase

FAMED for its panoramic views, locally fermented vino, and beautiful almond blossoms in late January and early February, the Sierra de la Contraviesa is an unspoilt place to visit.

It is known as the Alpujarra baja (low Alpujarra) of Granada region, although a small part lies in Adra, in Almeria. Historically called the Sierra del Cehel, the Contraviesa lies parallel to the Sierra Nevada range, nestling between the Guadalfeo River and the Costa del Sol.

To the west, it borders the Sierra de Lujar, which is a high point sparse of trees that hosts the area’s radio masts. To the east lies the Sierra de Gador. The Grande de Adra river runs between both mountains, com- ing out at the sea.

This is an area that has everything.

Visitors driving over the range from near Orgiva, or Torvizcon, can enjoy 360 degree panoramic views, winding roads, white villages, hiking trails and even an art trail. When you emerge on the other side, there are beach towns such as La Mamola and La Rabita, which remain tranquil, even in high season.

Looking north from the Contraviesa, you can see the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, including Mulhacen and Veleta, as well as the famous white villages on their south faces.

The Contraviesa range is ergogenic, meaning it was originally formed by plate tectonic movements lifting and folding the earth.

The high points are Mount Salchicha and Cerrajon de Murtas, at 1,545m and 1,514m respectively.

The area has lots of ravines and ramblas

The Sierra de la Contraviesa falls into municipalities of: Torvizcon, Almegijar, Castaras, Lobras, Cádiar, Ugíjar, Murtas, Turon, Albondon, Adra, Albuñol, Sorvilan, Polopos, Rubite and the old municipality of Alcazar, currently integrated into the municipality of Orgiva.

The first six occupy the slopes of the north face; the others, the southern face, so their towns look at the sea from the height where they are or are close to it.

Other localities, from west to east, located in the interior of this mountain range, are: Olias,

Fregenite, Alfornon, Jorairatar, Mecina Tedel and Cojayar. On the coast are, in the same direction: El Lance, Haza del Trigo, La Guapa, Castillo de Baños de Abajo, La Mamola, Los Yesos, Melicena, La Rabita, El Pozuelo, Castillo de Huarea, La Alcazaba, Guainos Alto and Bajo and El Lance de la Virgen, near Adra.

Almond trees, vineyards and fig trees abound in cultivated areas.

An emblematic place of the Contraviesa is the Haza del Lino (1280m), a meeting point for paths and municipalities, surrounded by the highest and oldest cork oak forest in the Iberian Peninsula.

Whichever towns and villages you choose to visit, you can be sure of seeing the true Spain rather than the concrete costas

ACCUSATIONS that the big four accounting firms were making their Spanish employees work 84 hour weeks triggered simultaneous surprise inspections by Spain’s labour ministry.

The Madrid offices of PwC, KPMG, EY and Deloitte received visits from government inspectors investigating potentially abusive practices.

The ministry said it was concerned about

Doesn’t add up

compliance with both labour and social security law at the consulting giants.

The big four host 20,000 employees in their Madrid skyscrapers, many of whom are new graduates eager to get their accounting accreditation and a big name company on their CV.