Spanish Sierra Nevada Mountain Walks Near Veleta
Two High-altitude Walking Routes in Andalucia Near Granada
Aug 25, 2009
The road up to Prado Llano, some 38 km away from Granada is better known in winter as the ski access road. But that would miss out the vital role it plays in summer – giving high-altitude access to some fantastic Andalucian high mountain walks. This article highlights some of the best routes in the central area of the Spanish Sierra Nevada – mainland Spain's highest National Park, and home of it's two highest mountains on the mainland (Mulhacen and Veleta).
Walking to the Summit of Veleta From Hoya del Moro
At 3,394 m, Veleta is the second highest summit in mainland Spain. Largely due to the high road access, this walk to its summit is also one of the most popular routes in the region. Even so, it is entirely possible to have the summit to yourself, even on a sunny day in summer!
The access route is straightforward – from the car park at Hoya del Moro (just above the Prado Llano ski resort and the highest point to which most vehicles are allowed from this side of the mountain) follow a well-trodden trail heading almost directly south-east for roughly 5 km, cutting across most loops of the old road. (A road used to cross from north to south of the range, but this was shut beyond Hoya del Moro in the North and Hoya del Portillo in the South, when the region became a national park.) The ski centre is visible for the majority of the way up on this walk, but the view from the top makes it all worthwhile!
The well-maintained Cariguela bivvy hut (unmanned, sleeping platform and table only) is just a short distance to the south of the summit of Veleta, and can provide a useful overnight base before the Elorietta Hut walk.
Walking to the Elorietta Hut From the Summit of Veleta
This is approximately three hours duration, and doesn't take the locally named "Scary Ridge" path marked on the map. (Walkers should be very careful to avoid "Scary Ridge". Although the maps show a path along this summit, this is usually impassable towards the Elorietta Hut when snow covers even small parts of the upper corries near the eastern side of the ridge, is a serious scramble in places, and it is definitely not a walk).
The route descends into the Lagunettes de la Virgen before making its way up the hillside along the northern flanks of the Tajos de la Virgen. An ice axe can be needed even in summer while there is any snow on the route, especially on the steep section leading onto the Tajos de la Virgen.
The Elorietta Hut is now in a rather sorry state compared to its obviously once grand condition. Walkers intending to stop overnight here should take camping gear, as there are only two or three bivvy places (on the floor!) within the hut, although these do provide secure refuge from the foxes!
The road to Prado Llano and Hoya del Moro provides easy access to some great summer-time walks on the north side of the Spanish Sierra Nevada. Other articles about walking in the Spanish Sierra Nevada region by the same author include walks in the Poqueira Hut area, remote mountains of eastern Sierra Nevada and walks in the Trevelez area.
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