Discover Pinos Genil

Pinos Genil is centered around a circular route through different parts of the town and the history of the Sierra Nevada Tram. The town also has reminders of its industrial past, a Mudéjar-style church and festivities in August. When planning your trip, it is worth deciding in advance whether you mainly want to hike, take a guided tour or explore local history.

Circular route between the riverbank and the old town

The officially approved SL-A 393 “Agua que Fluye” is a circular route with two possible starting points: you can begin in the center of Pinos Genil or in the Los Pinillos area. The route follows the historic track of the Sierra Nevada Tram, along the riverbank and through the old town. It thus combines the tram’s history with a walk through different parts of the town.

The route is accessible, suitable for Nordic walking, dog-friendly and suitable for children aged three and over. As accessibility may change following maintenance work, you should check the conditions before setting out. The current status of the route should also be checked locally before your trip. Bus route 33 connects the town with Los Pinillos, which is another possible starting point for the route.

Guided options with different time commitments

If you would rather experience the route with commentary, “Discovering Berta Wilhelmi” is a guided option. The interpretive walk lasts three hours, passes through the town center and follows the local SL-A-393 route, and is considered easy to moderately difficult. The route is fully accessible. Booking and availability may change; check these details in advance.

The Centro de Interpretación del Tranvía de la Sierra also offers a guided tour lasting about an hour. The two options therefore differ considerably in the time they take: the tour at the Centro takes about an hour, while the walk about Berta Wilhelmi lasts three hours. If you would like to include either in your day’s plans, check whether it is currently running and whether booking is required before your visit.

Tram and industrial history

The restored former railway station houses the Centro de Interpretación del Tranvía de la Sierra. In this cultural space, visitors can learn about part of Granada’s history through the Sierra Nevada Tram and the people associated with it. A working model shows how the tram passed through Pinos Genil. The Centro thus complements a walk along the former track with an engaging depiction of the railway line.

The Fábrica de la Luz is also part of the area’s industrial history. It was the first hydroelectric power station in the province of Granada and supplied Granada and the surrounding areas from 1898 until it closed in 1978. The Fábrica de Papel del Blanqueo, which belonged to Berta Wilhelmi, offers another link to local economic and production history. It included a hydroelectric power station and a large agricultural operation. In El Blanqueo, Wilhelmi introduced mobile beekeeping, modernizing honey production throughout the province of Granada.

Church, views and festivities

The parish church of Santa María Magdalena dates back to the 16th century. It was built in the Mudéjar style on the site of a former Muslim mosque. Visitors interested in architecture will find another historic landmark here. Alto del Cerro de la Cruz is known for its splendid views and offers a viewpoint in its own right, alongside the themes of tram and industrial history.

The festivities in honor of the Virgen del Rosario and San Roque take place on the first weekend in August. The exact program may vary. If you would like to time your trip to coincide with these days, check the latest dates and program details. For travel to the town, intercity bus route 390 runs directly from Paseo de los Basilios to the center of Pinos Genil. As bus timetables are also subject to change, check them before departure.

Discover more destinations: Albuñol, Lojilla, Purullena, Ugíjar, Fuente Vaqueros, Torvizcon, Salobreña, Atarfe.

For the main travel overview: Granada.