Walking in the Sierra Nevada - A Walker's and Trekker's Guide
Walking in the Sierra Nevada
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Route 4 - Carne, Gordo, Huenes and Tamboril from Puente de Los Siete Ojos
Distance/Height: 8km/700m
Time: 3½–4hrs
This circuit of all the summits of the Huenes massif makes an excellent outing with varied terrain and views throughout. The route described forms a distorted ‘Q’ shape on the map due to the ascent and descent being via Carne’s south-west ridge – the ‘tail’ of the ‘Q’ – but the round of the four tops could also be made equally easily (though the route is rather longer), starting and finishing along Route 3.
For the shorter version, start from the ‘seven-eyed’ bridge and ascend Pico de la Carne as described in Route 2 above. From the summit, the shaly cone of Cerro Gordo (‘fat hill’) can be seen to the north-east. Scramble down Carne’s northern rocks and slither down rather unpleasant gravelly grooves to a col (1765m) from where a choice of paths snake along the sides and over the tops of subsidiary hillocks in the direction of Gordo’s southern ‘ridge’. The small conical summit of Gordo is easily reached via a gravel path directly up this ridge.
Cerro Gordo (1894m) is a featureless hill, resembling a pile of small stones deposited by some immense dump truck, but its summit is a fine viewpoint for the complex topography of the upper Monachil valley and its tributaries. There are good views of the ridge leading eastwards to Cerro de la Cortijuela and Pico del Tesoro, with the Peñones de San Francisco and Veleta dominating the skyline. A descent northwards leads via a broad col to a secondary top at 1855m giving a good view of the route to Huenes.
From this point, Huenes appears as a low whaleback of crag, surrounded by trees. The best approach is along a bee-line (sketchy paths) across limestone scrubland towards the left (west) edge of the rocks. As the broad saddle below the summit rocks is reached, the terrain changes dramatically. Pleasant shady trees, and luxuriant green turf are suddenly encountered, giving the atmosphere of a walk in the park – a complete contrast to the arid landscape you’ve just traversed. Strolling pleasantly up the green slope brings you to the foot of the final rocks near the foot of an easy gully (liberally decorated with goat droppings), which leads you directly onto the summit area.
The next objective, Cerro del Tamboril, is clearly in view almost due south – but don’t be tempted into a bee-line or you will fall foul of the deep rift of the Barranco del Lobo. Instead, descend the little gully used for the ascent, then make a wide arc around the head of the barranco, eventually approaching Tamboril from the east. En route, another change of terrain is encountered when tussocky grass, reminiscent of England’s Pennine moors, is traversed as the head of the ravine is skirted, but this soon reverts to the limestone, scrub, and prickly vegetation typical of this area. A straightforward scramble takes you to the top of Tamboril’s summit cone (1776m). The view from here is similar to that from Pico de la Carne, except that Boca de la Pesca’s resemblance to an upturned fish’s head is, if anything, even more marked.
From here, make towards the obvious but unnamed peak (1786m) seen to the left of Pico de la Carne, crossing rough scrubby vegetation around the head of the Barranco de las Majadillas. Traversing or skirting this minor hillock brings you onto the col below Carne, the summit of which can be avoided if desired by following a contouring path branching right about halfway up the final ridge. However, the peaked top is so good that you will probably prefer to enjoy it for a second time, especially if it is late in the day. It makes a wonderful perch from which to savour a glorious Spanish dusk, prior to a leisurely descent into the cool shadows of the valley, and a cerveza or two.
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