Andalusia

Article Ascent to Velet

Ascent to the second highest mountain in the Sierra Nevada

Petr Liška
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Ascent to Velet
Inserted: 30.10.2021
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com
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Veleta (3,396 m above sea level) is the second highest mountain in the Sierra Nevada and the third highest mountain in mainland Spain. Despite the fact that it is almost 3,400 meters above sea level, it is easily accessible, basically also by bike (except for the final short climb) because the highest road in Europe leads to the saddle below it (but closed for normal traffic). The starting point is the parking lot Hoya de la Mora (2,514 m above sea level) from where it is about 5 kilometers and 865 altitude meters

Virgen de las Nieves

The tour starts at the Hoya de la Mora car park. The description of the route here is HERE. At the beginning of summer it is definitely not as lively here as in winter or the beginning of spring, when there is a ski season. After about three hundred meters of ascent and shortening of the 5 bends of the mountain road you are at the site of Virgen de las Nieves. From here you can see our destination in the distance – Veleta

Virgen de las Nieves
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Road curves

The ascent itself leads along the path through open terrain. The heat and monotony of the output can be tiring. After about two kilometers of walking you are already at an altitude of 2,800 meters above sea level. In this part, there is a strongly winding road about the furthest from the hiking trail. It is possible to meet cyclists setting European altitude records on asphalt

Road curves
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

View of Velet

Even at the beginning of summer you will find the remains of snow fields here. There are also bars to facilitate orientation in the period when there is more snow. Be sure not to underestimate the amount of water, headgear. It can also be seen from this photo that you will not find a shadow here.

View of Velet
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Along the road to the saddle

Along the road, we finally approach the saddle on the main ridge

Along the road to the saddle
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Collection of the lagoon of las Yeguas

Directly below us – at an altitude of about 2,900 meters above sea level is a nice mountain dam Embalse de la laguna de las Yeguas. There is also a hiking trail around the lake

Collection of the lagoon of las Yeguas
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Nad Collado del Veleta (3201 m)

Finally we are on the main ridge in the Collado del Veleta saddle. From here, the road descends to the other side of the ridge and the hiking trail follows the ridge upwards. Thanks to the construction of a ski lift, however, the now completed road is really almost to the top of the mountain

Nad Collado del Veleta (3201 m)
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Under the top of Veleta

To the north, the mountain is not as flat as from the side we came from, but it falls almost vertically deep down

Under the top of Veleta
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

View of Mulhacen

From the top of Veleta is a beautiful view of the highest mountain in mainland Spain – Mulhacen. There is also a tourist ridge there, but it is 7 km in one direction, so only very powerful individuals can do it in one day. Alternatively, you can sleep in the Refugio Vivac de la Caldera

View of Mulhacen
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Laguna de los Vasares

The whole Sierra Nevada mountains look quite desolate and dark thanks to the black color of the rocks

Laguna de los Vasares
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Look down at the starting point

The Hoya de la Mora car park is very deep below us

Look down at the starting point
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com
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Petr Liška
30.10.2021 14:11
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