Discover the wild beauty of southern Spain’s highest mountains with this guidebook to walking and trekking in the Sierra Nevada, where sunlit ridges, glacial corries and vast high plateaux rise above whitewashed villages and fertile valleys. From tranquil alpine lakes and flower-filled meadows to barren rocky summits and expansive views across Andalucía, the range offers unforgettable mountain experiences, including classic ascents of Mulhacén and the celebrated Tres Picos challenge, linking Veleta, Mulhacén and Alcazaba.

This comprehensive guidebook presents over 30 graded day walks alongside multi-day treks and five high mountain scrambles, covering routes of 5–38km (3–24 miles) lasting from a few hours to a few days. While some outings provide accessible introductions to the range, all routes demand good fitness, navigational awareness and confidence in remote rugged mountain terrain, with opportunities for hut-based trekking, wild camping and extended traverses across the Sierra Nevada’s 3000m peaks.

• Over 30 graded walks ranging from half-day rambles to demanding mountain outings, complemented by multi-day treks and five classic Sierra Nevada scrambles for experienced hillwalkers, such as the Tres Picos traverse, a 3-7 day journey across the 3000m peaks and an overview of the long-distance 302km (188 mile) Sulayr GR240.
• Clear route descriptions supported by 1:50,000 mapping for walks and scrambles, with additional overview mapping (1:100,000 and 1:250,000) for longer treks and high-level traverses.
• Photo topos illustrating the scrambling lines on Grade 2 to 3S Sierra Nevada routes, helping confident mountaineers tackle exposed ridges and rocky summit approaches.
• Practical guidance on seasonal conditions, navigation, equipment and winter mountaineering considerations for exploring the remote high terrain of the Sierra Nevada, alongside information on shelters, wild camping opportunities and water sources across the range.
• GPX files available for download to support navigation across high plateaux, remote valleys and summit approaches.
• Includes classic ascents of Mulhacén, mainland Spain’s highest summit, alongside opportunities to explore lesser-known ridges, corries and panoramic viewpoints across the Sierra Nevada.
• Background information on the region’s landscapes, wildlife and mountain culture, plus practical advice on access, bases and transport to help plan a rewarding Sierra Nevada walking trip.

Plan your Sierra Nevada mountain adventure with confidence using this inspiring and practical guidebook, and experience mainland Spain’s highest peaks, remote trails and unforgettable high-mountain scenery on foot.

Walking and Trekking in the Sierra Nevada - Quick Facts

Trail name: Sierra Nevada Walking and Trekking
Location: Andalucía, southern Spain
Distance: Walks 5–38km (3–24 miles); multi-day treks 2–7 days
Duration: Half-day rambles to multi-day high mountain routes
Route format: Circular and linear routes, plus multi-day traverses
Difficulty: Moderate to very challenging – suitable for experienced hillwalkers
Navigation: Clear 1:50,000 maps, photo topos for scrambles, GPX files available
Terrain: High plateaux, ridges, glacial corries, rocky summits, alpine lakes, flower meadows
Notable peaks: Mulhacén, Veleta, Alcazaba, Tres Picos traverse
Season: Spring to autumn for most walks; winter requires experience and equipment for snow and ice
Accommodation: Mountain huts, village inns, and potential wild camping in permitted areas
Highlights: Stunning mountain vistas, remote valleys, classic high-altitude scrambles, long-distance Sulayr GR240 traverse

Author Highlight

“There is tremendous scope here for those who prefer their mountains wild and dramatic, as this guidebook will attempt to demonstrate. Yes, it has its trade routes – especially around the easily accessible peaks of Mulhacén (highest) and Veleta (easiest access). Once the decision has been made to venture away from these, and especially during the week, the area has much to commend it for the seeker of solitude – and especially for multi-day wild camping.”

- Richard Hartley, author of Walking and Trekking in the Sierra Nevada

Overview map
Mulhacén and Alcazaba overview map
Map key
Mountain safety
Route summary tables

Introduction
Plants and wildlife
Climate and conditions
Getting to the Sierra Nevada
Getting around
Accommodation and bases
Respecting the environment
Safety and rescue
Water sources
Weather resources
Planning and maps
Using this guide

Walks
Trevélez
Route 1    Ascent of Alcazaba via Cañada de Siete Lagunas
Route 2    Ascent of Mulhacén via Cañada de Siete Lagunas
Route 3    Round of the Río Juntillas and Trevélez valleys
Capileira
Route 4    Barranco de Poqueira circular
Route 5    Ascent of Mulhacén from Hoya del Portillo
Refugio Poqueira
Route 6    Ascent of Mulhacén from Refugio Poqueira
Route 7    The Caldera peaks
Route 8    Around Mulhacén via the Vasar and Siete Lagunas
Route 9    The Púlpitos
Western Alpujarras
Route 10    Pico del Tajo de los Machos and Cerrillo Redondo
Route 11    Ascent of Cerro del Caballo from the south
Route 12    Ascent of Cerro del Caballo via los Tres Mojones
Dílar valley
Route 13    Silleta de Padul
Route 14    Integral de los Alayos
Cumbres Verdes
Route 15    Boca de la Pesca
Route 16    Trevenque via Cuerda del Trevenque
Route 17    Circuit of Trevenque and Dílar valley
Route 18    The Cerro Huenes group
Route 19    Pico del Tesoro and Cerro del Cocón
Route 20    Trevenque direct
Ski area – Hoya de la Mora
Route 21    Veleta, Tajos de la Virgen and Lagunillas
Route 22    Veredón Superior and Cerro de los Machos
Route 23    Veredón Inferior, Veta Grande, northern flanks and lakes
Route 24    Across the mountains to Lanjarón via Refugio Elorrieta
Vereda de la Estrella/Genil valley
Route 25    Vereda de la Estrella, Refugio Cucaracha and Cueva Secreta
Route 26    Cortijos del Hornillo circular
Route 27    Ascent of Mulhacén via Cueva Secreta
Route 28    Round of the northern peaks via Peña Partida
Jérez del Marquesado and Refugio Postero Alto
Route 29    Ascent of Picón de Jérez and round of the Alhorí valley
Puerto de la Ragua
Route 30    The eastern peaks

Main ridge traverse and longer treks
Route 31    ‘Los Tres Miles’ Integral 3000m peaks
Route 32    ‘Los Tres Picos’ – Veleta, Mulhacén and Alcazaba
Route 33    The Sulayr GR240

High mountain scrambles
Route 34    Espolón de Alcazaba
Route 35    Traverse of Puntal de la Caldera
Route 36    Espolón de la Caldera
Route 37    Arista de las Campanitas
Route 38    North ridge of Tozal del Cartujo

Appendix A    List of the 3000m peaks
Appendix B    Accommodation
Appendix C    Useful contacts
Appendix D    Glossary
Appendix E    Further reading

Seasons

Route descriptions assume summer conditions but seasonal notes are given where relevant for the winter hillwalker, as well as the location of suitable water sources during the hot summer months

Centres

Trevélez, Capileira, Lanjarón, Nigüelas, Dílar, Cumbres Verdes, Granada, Sierra Nevada ski area, Güéjar Sierra, Jérez de Marsquesado

Difficulty

Graded routes of varying difficulty, from easy half-day jaunts and day-trips to tough multi-day treks. High-level routes but also superb lower-level alternatives, including eight walks in the Cumbres Verdes and Dílar Valley hills SE of Granada. Five high mountain scrambles for the more adventurous (graded 2 to 3S).

Must See

Mulhacén, the highest mountain in mainland Spain; Los Tres Picos - the three highest peaks in the Sierra Nevada; Los Tres Miles Integral - a multi-day ridge-walk covering all the main 3000m peaks; high-level summer scrambles

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