Accommodation

Loja ( 480m ) is the Al Andalus Ultra Trail host town and the race will start and finish here. Loja ( population 20,000 ) is known as the " City of Water " because of its endless natural springs and fountains, ( over 100 registered in the area ) one of the most famous being the 25 Jets Fountain.

Loja can be considered to be the heart of the Poniente Granadino and dates back to the Bronze Age. Phoenician, Iberian and Roman archaeological remains are testimony to its historical importance which culminated under the Moors, when it was known as Madina Lawsa. Because of its dominant position, ( its Arabic name means Guardian ), at the head of the pass leading onto the Plain of Granada it was nominated as the " Key to Granada ".

In 1486 Loja finally fell to the King of Castille and Aragon, the Muslims left and the new Christian governers saw the town repopulated and erected temples, civil buildings, palaces and gardens. The Alcazaba and Walls ( fortress ) occupy the rocky hill that dominates the town centre and close by the Iglesia de la Encarnacion, built on the site of the former Grand Mosque can be seen.

Accommodation for competitors and race personnel will be at the Hotel Manzanil. (www.manzanil.com ).
Family and friends will be accommodated if there is room or at nearby hotel. It is easy to find by taking Exit 188 from the A-92 if travelling from Malaga or Exit 193 if coming from Granada. All race related business, signing on, collecting numbers, Sportident chip etc., will take place in the patio and gardens of the Hotel Manzanil where there will also sponsors trade stands and other information available. The Gala Dinner at the close of the race, Friday the 17th, will take place in the hotel.

Alhama de Granada is a fairly large town, 54km south west of Granada and 900 metres above sea level is situated on the edge of a huge gorge. Its origins date back to Neolithic and Roman times when it was known as Artigi. The nearby hot springs fascinated the Arabs who built a therapy centre and changed its name to al-Hamman which means hot water.

The town, particularly the Arab quarter along the gorge, ( Tajo ), edge, is a fascinating mix of narrow streets, squares, fountains such as the 16 th century Wamba and beautiful buildings with coats of arms carved into the door arches. The huge, fortified tower of the 15 th century Iglesia de la Encarnacion dominates the town and the church, probably built on the site of the former Grand Mosque, is a visual reference point for Alhama. Nearby is the El Posito, ( Communal Granary ), a former 13 th century synagogue, the old prison, ( carcel ), the former headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition, the castle and the Arab dungeons, which were also used as grain stores. The gorge itself can be walked from end to end and the caves, ruined flour mills and lagoons along the edge of the trout filled Alhama river make for some interesting exploring. Steps or steep slopes at various points lead up into the town including some near vertical ones carved into the rock.

The hot springs, Health spa and Moorish baths are just north of the town. Constructed over Roman ruins by the Moors in the 12 th century the luxuriant gardens and thermal waters, (47 degrees C) with their curative properties attract a steady flow of visitors.

The Poniente de Granada is located in the western most part of the Province of Granada and covers an area of 2,044 km2. The region contains 16 municipalities including Alhama de Granada, Santa Cruz del Comercio, Cacin, Jatar, Jayena, Arenas del Rey, Loja, Montefrio and Illora. Its privileged position allows the visitor to reach the cities of Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba and Malaga with relative ease. Malaga airport is within 1.5 hours drive, and Granada airport is within 50 minutes. The mountains and ski resort of the Sierra Nevada, the Sierra Alhama, Tejeda and Almijara and the beaches of the Mediterranean are all within an hours drive and the beautiful Lake Bermejales is only 15min from Alhama de Granada.

It is an area of high plains, mountains, rivers, forests and agriculture crossed by numerous tracks and well surfaced, quiet roads. Relatively un-known compared to the overbuilt chaos of the neighbouring Costa del Sol the collection of towns and villages which make up the Poniente de Granada have an archaeological and architectural heritage of incalculable value.