Starting point in the Sierra Nevada
In Andalusia, it is said that you can ski and swim in the sea in one day. This is due to the fact that the high Sierra Nevada mountains are located here. The highest peak here – Mulhacén is also the highest point of mainland Spain. The most classic trip to the Sierra Nevada is from the famous city of Granada and the destination is the top of Veleta. In the spring, when there is still a lot of snow, a walk around the Hoya de la Mora car park will be enough
View of the Embalse de Canales
From the center of Granada (660m above sea level) you can reach Hoya de la Mora (2,514 m above sea level) 39 kilometers and gain almost two kilometers. Probably the most famous view along the way is the Embalse de Canales
View of the Güéjar Sierra
Other nice views are the ridge above the town of Güéjar Sierra. There is also a path along the local ridge, so it would probably still be worth trying
Sierra Nevada landscape
The road turns closer to the main ridge and is still rising. Views of the snow-capped peaks open up.
Above forest level
The forest in Sierra Nevada ends at about two thousand meters above sea level, then there are only desolate grassy slopes
2,500 meters above sea level
You will slowly get closer to the Pradollano ski resort, go around it. Just before the final you will pass a sign that you have exceeded the height of 2,500 meters above sea level
Hoya de la Mora
Hoya de la Mora is quite a large car park, from where you head to Mount Veleta. Respectively, the highest road in Europe leads from here to the ridge, but it is not accessible for ordinary motorists. From autumn to spring, however, it lives much more here – skis are rented here, sledges for Spaniards enjoying unusual snow fun here.
Walk to the Virgen de las Nieves
At this time of year (end of March) it's not much to walk on the peaks so we only go for a short walk in the direction of Virgen de las Nieves
View of the Mojón del Trigo
One of the possible spring ascents is to the top of Mojón del Trigo (2,609 m above sea level) with an observatory
View down to the ski resort
We climb slowly and the view opens deep down to the ski resort Pradollano
View of Hoya de la Mora
I look back at the parking lot and the starting point of hiking trails
Virgen de las Nieves
After a while, I'm here at the Virgen de las Nieves, a famous statue and a view of the main ridge
Ski lifts
The surrounding countryside is, of course, marked by ski infrastructure
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Article: Trips and hikes in the Sierra Nevada mountains
The Sierra Nevada, the highest mountain range in the Iberian Peninsula, is easily accessible by several roads and has a number of… continue reading