Richard Hartley 
Walking and Trekking in the Sierra Nevada 
38 walks, scrambles and multi-day traverses

This guidebook offers a selection of 38 routes from simple day walks, high mountain scrambles to very demanding multi-day treks in the striking Sierra Nevada, the highest mountain range in mainland Spain. Easily accessible from Granada and Malaga, 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 Trevelez, Lanjaron, Hoya de la Mora and Cumbres Verdes serving as potential bases for a walking holiday. From more leisurely outings in the Cumbres Verde area to ascents of mainland Spain’s highest summit, Mulhacen, 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 of the routes 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, Mulhacen 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.

Spis treści

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 Caada de Siete Lagunas
Route 2 Ascent of Mulhacén via Caada de Siete Lagunas
Route 3 Round of the Ro 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 Plpitos
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
Dlar 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 Dlar valley
Route 18 The Cerro Huenes group
Route 19 Pico del Tesoro and Cerro del Cocn
Route 20 Trevenque direct
Ski area – Hoya de la Mora
Route 21 Veleta, Tajos de la Virgen and Lagunillas
Route 22 Veredn Superior and Cerro de los Machos
Route 23 Veredn Inferior, Veta Grande, northern flanks and lakes
Route 24 Across the mountains to Lanjarn 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 Pea Partida
Jérez del Marquesado and Refugio Postero Alto
Route 29 Ascent of Picn de Jérez and round of the Alhor 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 Espoln de Alcazaba
Route 35 Traverse of Puntal de la Caldera
Route 36 Espoln 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

O autorze

Richard Hartley started walking in the UK hills in the mid-70s. In the 80s and 90s 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.


In 1998 he quit his job as an accountant in search of a better life and found it in the Sierra Nevada where he has lived since 2002 just outside the spa town of Lanjarn in the Alpujarras. He is the owner of local tour and guiding company, Spanish Highs, Sierra Nevada (www.spanishhighs.co.uk). They run walking, trekking, mountaineering, snowshoeing and ski touring trips into the mountains of the Sierra Nevada and further afield, organise regular expeditions to the Southern Patagonian Icecap.