Gorafe: Megalithic Landscape on the Río Gor

Culture and Landscape

The megalithic landscape along the Río Gor preserves 155 megalithic tombs grouped into ten necropolises. The Río Gor has carved an almost 200-metre-deep gorge into the geological materials of the glacis of the Sierra de Baza.

The megalithic complex of Gorafe comprises 240 dolmens, 198 of which have been studied and catalogued. Most of Gorafe’s dolmens are spread across four megalithic parks: Llano de los Olivares, Las Majadillas, Hoyas del Conquín Alto and Hoyas del Conquín Bajo. The dolmens of Gorafe are dated to up to approximately 5,000 years ago; a large proportion of these tombs were used from the Late Neolithic (2800–2600 BC) to the Copper Age (2400–2200 BC).

Knowledge, Sky and History

The Centro de Interpretación del Megalitismo de Gorafe explains the significance of the dolmen complex and has five exhibition areas with audiovisual media. Via Bluetooth, visitors can download an application with detailed information about the three routes of the Parque Megalítico de Gorafe onto their mobile phones.

The Complejo Astronómico Los Coloraos offers public and private astronomical observations as well as science-outreach activities. Los Coloraos is integrated into the “Desierto de Gorafe” geo-route.

Routes through the Landscape

The Vereda Chirlata route begins in Gorafe and passes through a landscape characterised by intense erosion, arid or steppe-like vegetation, large gorges and multicoloured, almost horizontal layers of rock cut through by rivers. It offers cultural, scenic and sporting experiences.

One hiking route leads to dolmens on the upper plateau and then to another nearby concentration offering good views of the Río Gor valley. Another route leads to rock paintings or petroglyphs in the province of Granada, described as the oldest in the province and very well preserved.

The Los Coloraos area features cliffs shaped by differential erosion, resembling walls with bastions and crowned by a whitish outcrop.

Practical Orientation

From Gorafe, a mostly paved, winding road leads up to the plateau. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is required to access Los Coloraos; alternatively, several companies offer specialised services with guided visits to the Gorafe Desert.

For your planning, you can distinguish between cultural and historical interpretation, astronomical activities, scenic routes and sporting experiences. The different types of activities can be considered separately, without combining them into one unified excursion.

For a holiday apartment in Gorafe, you can compare travel dates, apartment or room categories and cancellation policies on accommodation websites. You can assess and review the information independently according to your personal travel dates and contractual preferences.

Other Places

Cortes De Baza, Otura, Lopera, Murtas, Ítrabo, Diezma, Arenas Del Rey, Guájar-Fondón

To the main travel overview: Granada.