Walking and Trekking in the Sierra Nevada
38 walks, scrambles and multi-day traverses
By Richard Hartley
Guidebook to walks and multi-day treks in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Spain's Andalucia. The 38 routes include the highest point of continental Spain, Mulhacén, and take in villages including Trevélez, Lanjarón and Capileira. Includes main ridge traverses, high mountain scrambles and a Spanish Three Peaks challenge.
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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Overview
This guidebook presents 33 graded walks and 5 high mountain scrambles in the striking Sierra Nevada, the highest mountain range in mainland Spain and in western Europe outside the Alps. Easily accessible from Granada and Málaga, it is a world of soaring, snow-clad peaks and deep valleys, far removed from the crowded beaches of the Costa del Sol just two hours away. The routes are spread across the national park, with attractive towns and villages such as Trevélez, Lanjarón, Hoya de la Mora and Cumbres Verdes serving as potential bases for a walking holiday.
The walks have been carefully chosen to showcase the Sierra Nevada's dramatic scenery, taking in barren rocky peaks, lush green valleys, arid badlands and tranquil lakes. From more leisurely outings in the Cumbres Verde area to ascents of mainland Spain's highest summit, Mulhacén, there are routes to suit a range of abilities, although most require a reasonable degree of fitness, navigational skill and experience of high mountain terrain. Whilst some are day or half-day walks, others take advantage of the region's network of mountain shelters or offer an opportunity to wild camp. Also included are three longer traverses: 'Los Tres Picos' (the Spanish Three Peaks – Veleta, Mulhacén and Alcazaba), 'Los Tres Miles' Integral (a multi-day trek covering all the major 3000m peaks in the range) and an overview of the 302km Sulayr GR240. The walks can be enjoyed most of the year, however conditions may prove too hot at the peak of summer and extra care and equipment will be required in snow or ice: the descriptions assume summer conditions, but include additional notes for winter walking.
The guide also includes advice on transport, bases and safety, a tick-list of the 3000m peaks and a Spanish-English glossary. Information on plants, wildlife and local points of interest will further enhance your visit and the glorious colour photos provide a taste of what the region has to offer. For those who like their mountains rough and rugged, Walking and Trekking in the Sierra Nevada is a perfect companion to escaping the crowds and discovering a different side to Andalucía. -
Contents
Contents
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 -
Updates
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We are always grateful to readers for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground. If you would like to send some information to us then please use our contact form. They will be published here following review by the author(s).
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Reviews
This guidebook is just packed with practical info and tips
I bought this guidebook to plan a winter traverse of the 'Los Tres Miles' integral traverse, not sure if I would find enough info... but this guidebook is just packed with practical info and tips and tricks for any season you plan on exploring the range! The book as well as the author have been an awesome help to us!
Arne M
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Richard Hartley
Richard Hartley started walking in the UK hills in the mid-70s. In the 80’s and 90’s he spent many seasons walking and mountaineering in the Alps. Since then he has led six expeditions to the Patagonian Icecap and joined a Berghaus sponsored expedition in 2013 to ski volcanoes in Kamchatka.
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