For sale direct from the owner!
This stunning off-grid property is located in the peaceful mountains above Guájar-Alto, in the Granada province. The location is simply stunning – unspoiled countryside, dramatic mountain views and little to disturb the peace apart from the bird life and the odd tractor passing by.
This property is not for the feint hearted – this is a working farm and the current owner is keen to stress that whoever takes on this fabulous opportunity, must be prepared for hard work.
The property comes with more than 20 acres of land and the parcel the house sits on is approximately 15acress (nearly 60,000M2). There are more than 300 productive olive trees planted and there is scope for 300 more olives or the planting of avocados.
Despite the peace on offer, the property is not isolated – a short drive to the mountain village of Guájar-Alto and it’s two sister villages of Guájar Fondón and Guájar Faragüit which together are known as Los Guájares.
This little known and very popular mountain paradise lies inland from the Costa Tropical with its beautiful beaches and the coastal motorway giving access to the rest of the coastal stretch.
The owners have created a drone video to give you an idea of the setting of this beautiful country home…
The property itself ….
When entering the property, it is entirely possible that you will be distracted by the most stunning views. The property looks south towards the Mediterranean Sea, across the hills and valleys, with the winding gravel road heading back down towards the village.
In the early morning, the house benefits from the most beautiful sunrises. At night, with a clear sky, the stars never fail to impress.
The property is extremely well built and is fully legal with all permissions available even down to the fencing of some of the boundaries.
The house was built in the late 1990’s and offers clean lines, spacious rooms and a light and bright feel throughout. The tall cielings and dual aspect windows in many rooms make the house feel very generous.
Also, you will note that many of the windows are free from “rejas”, the traditional metal bars. This means the views from windows are unfettered and make the most of the surrounding beauty.
The house is far from the dark, crumbly and often confused layout of many Andalucian country homes – this is a rarity with all the comforts of a modern villa yet set in the most beautiful countryside.
There is a dedicated and legal water right incorporated into the Statutes de La Regante which cannot be interfered with. The property is fully off grid with a good quality (expandable) solar system. There is a legal sewage system in place.
The house itself is entered from the south facing veranda which is a large space on which you can sit and enjoy the views, dine alfresco or is the perfect place for entertaining. The veranda is part covered by a permanent roof and partly with a rattan cover which provides a softer shaded area.
The door into the house leads into the main living space…a large open plan area with a southerly aspect.
The lounge area is nestled around a very effective wood burning stove and there is a separate dining area and then the kitchen space.
The kitchen is well fitted with plenty of storage space and the usual appliances. A further utility room provides further storage and is home to the washing machine and xxxxxxx
Two ground floor bedrooms provide a great deal of flexibility together with a ground floor shower room. These ground floor bedrooms can easily be used as further reception rooms such as a separate dining room, a snug room or home office. These 2 bedrooms on the ground floor give the house a degree of “future proofing” and are perfect for guests.
The imposing hallway leads you to the first floor which is home to two further bedrooms and a family bathroom.
The master bedroom is huge with built in wardrobes and a dual aspect taking in the amazing views.
The second bedroom is also very large with space for 2 double beds. Again, the room is dual aspect and takes in the panoramic views around the property.
The first-floor bathroom has a walk-in shower and is finished in a bright, contemporary style.
There is a large fully fenced garden area to keep pets safe which includes a grass area, the swimming pool and formal planted areas.
A virtual tour of the property is available by clicking the link below…
https://www.spanishvillaphotography.com/virtual_tours/cortijo_de_tajos/
The land and grounds…
The land totals just over 80,000M2 of land which equates to around 20 acres.
The grounds have been superbly restored to an extremely high standard. There are grape vines in abundance, apple, lemon, plum, orange and kaki trees, pomegranates, pear and carob. It is entirely possible to be completely self-sufficient from a food perspective.
There is scope for the planting of a significant number of avocado trees.
The terraces are enchanting. One in particular leads down to an intriguing limestone rocky outcrop where the Rio de la Toba runs through property. A great place to cool down on a hot day!
The more formal swimming pool is a delight – surrounded by an area to sunbathe or just take in the views.
There is a large workshop on the property and a pump house which feed the drip irrigation system that waters the plants and olive trees.
Agriculture – this is a working olive farm…
Cortijo de Tajos consists of twenty acres of land much of which does not need to be maintained; simply enjoyed.
However, there are over three hundred olive trees under irrigation producing around 5 tonnes of olives each year. This provides sufficient for a small income and the processing of good quality olive oil. The value of olive oil is increasing and the enjoyment from having your very own olive oil is priceless.
Indeed, there are a further 300 olive trees on a piece of land to the south of the property which can also be rejuvenated or changed (with permission) to be planted to avocados.
There is great scope for further income and production from the farm – if you have the energy, this place has the opportunity!
There is a legal water right on the property which cannot be interfered with.
The trees and the Cortijo lands have been lovingly restored by the owners over a period of ten years. The agricultural aspects of the Cortijo are immaculately presented. All tools and agricultural equipment will be included in the sale.
Cortijo de Tajos is a lifestyle choice and for those that wish to embrace it, there is probably no better place. It is a paradise.
The surrounding countryside and mountains…
At an altitude of just under 800 meters, the mountains soar above either side of the property to altitudes of over 1300 with the easily accessible summits offering 360-degree views of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the southern coastline.
To the south, on a clear day the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea can be easily seen flowing towards the shores of Morocco.
The pine forests protect the barren rocks from erosion and provide a wonderful habitat for the flora and fauna of the area which never ceases to be amazing at all seasons of the year but, especially in spring, when the Rio de La Toba and early rains bring the spring flowers to life.
Wild Boar roam in secret and silence with their young; and what a pleasure it is to see a family strolling along the road at midnight. Genet Cat patrol the property, Pine Martens clamber across the irrigation pipes for water and the foxes play on the terraces on a full moon.
The Ibex graze in the garden and Red Dear can be seen at higher altitudes. The bird life is wonderful and there is nothing like the sight of the Vulture migration in the autumn as they move in flocks of hundreds, high in the sky on the way back to Africa.
Guájar-Alto and Los Guájares
The nearest village is a 45-minute stroll or ten-minute drive in the car. The track is well maintained; does not need a 4 x 4 but a high clearance vehicle would be sensible. The road is maintained by the forestry department each year and when necessary.
From the village, travelling South, is a tarmac road down to Motril, Salobrena and the coast. Travelling North, you can take the gravel camino all the way across the Sierra de Los Guajares.
Salobrena is a lovely town with an historic hilltop castle. It is mostly quiet in the winter and is fabulous for private beach time or a meal by the calm blue Mediterranean Sea.
Motril is also a nice town, a little more cosmopolitan and it has everything you need. And more.
Both towns have good local schools and there is an international school in Almunecar.
Access to the property
As you pass through the village of Guájar-Alto and climb up into the Sierra de Los Guájares the immediate views of rugged rocky mountainside, deep ravines, and limestone cliffs, with distant views of forested hills, are mesmerising.
The views along the twisty mountain road to the house of towering limestone cliffs, rugged crumbling rock faces, are just beautiful. Cortijo de Tajos comes unmistakably into view, sitting atop a limestone cliff in the middle of a gorge that passes each side of the bluff upon which it sits. Absolutely stunning.
It takes approximately 10 minutes to drive the forestal camino, before arriving at the gates of Cortijo de Tajos and a concrete drive leads you to the front door of the house. You are in a different world. A world that belongs to just you and the mountains; and of course, the animals that will live with you.
