Los Tres Miles - Trek the Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada are a small and lovely range, less visited than the Pyrenees or Alps, but they offer wildlife, solitude, high peaks and clean air. This week-long trek is guided and includes both camping out and staying in mountain refuges. You will need carry your own rucksack, and our staff will provide all the meals. The route is quite rugged, not always well mapped or signposted, but not technical.
Overview
The Sierra Nevada are a small and lovely range, less visited than the Pyrenees or Alps, but they offer wildlife, solitude, high peaks and clean air. This week-long trek is guided and includes both camping out and staying in mountain refuges. You will need carry your own rucksack, and our staff will provide all the meals. The route is quite rugged, not always well mapped or signposted, but not technical.
The route across the Sierra Nevada is often referred to as Los Tres Miles or the Ruta Integral Sierra Nevada. There are various options but generally it climbs up onto the spine of the Sierra Nevada range and passes along a string of peaks without really dropping down more than a few hundred metres. You also ascend Mulhacen which is 3478m high and the highest point in mainland Spain and the second highest European peak outside the Caucasus and Alps.
The trek is not difficult and not too steep either, but in the summer the heat can be intense. There is a lot of bird life and local wildlife such as the Iberian ibex, and the views across to Granada to the north and the Mediterranean to the south are inspiring. Trekkers carry their own rucksacks and sleep under the stars, and the staff prepare the meals. There are some refuges along the way which we can use, but the aim is to travel light and enjoy the hiking in a self-sufficient way.
After the trek there will be time to relax and see a bit of how the locals live in the Alpujarra. There is a wealth of local Andalucia custom and culture which is still alive and thriving. You can visit local organic olive farms and historic buildings. Alternatively visit the city of Granada and enjoy the famous Alhambra, or go to the coast and enjoy some time on the beach.
The Ultimate Integral - Sierra Nevada Spain
A video of trekkers completing the two highest mountains of the Spanish mainland: Mount Alcazaba and Mount Mulhacén.
Sierra Nevada Trek Itinerary
Summary of itinerary
- Fly into Malaga and travel by road to Lanjaron to spend the night.
- 5 days walking the length of the Sierra Nevada on a series of peaks forming a high ridge, wild camping at high lagunas.
- A full day in and around the beautiful hillside village of Mairena staying in Las Chimineas.
- A final part day in Mairena before transport back to Malaga airport and flight home.
We recommend for a map of the area, Parque National de Sierra Nevada La Alpujarra (Editorial Penibetica) 1:40000 available through Stanfords in London.
We can easily arrange for you to spend longer in the hotel, subject to availability, or to transfer to other places such as Grenada or Ameria or Malaga.
Fly to Malaga and transfer 2.5 hours to either Lanjaron or Güejar Sierra in the mountains for overnight in hotel (half board).
Güejar Sierra or Lanjaro – Lavaderos de la Reina.
Transfer to the start point of the trek and start walking towards the Pena Partida Refuge at 2451m which is just a stone shelter.
The path steepens before contouring around to the bowl at the Lavaderos de la Reina where there are some small lagunas, streams and a small waterfall. Here we will set up camp for the night.
Lavaderos de la Reina – Lagunas de las Calderetas.
Today starts with a long ascent up to the main ridge of the Sierra Nevada, emerging at Picon de Jerez our first 3000m peak. It is an easy walk around to the next, Puntal de Juntillas. From here an optional 1hr detour to the 3182m peak of Horcajon.
Follow the main ridge around over Buitrera and over some rough bouldery ground to Atalaya and a steep descent and climb through a small col before another optional 45 minute detour to Mojon Alto.
Another descent and re-ascent through the Vacares col brings us to the bouldery summit of Puntal Vacares. We can then take a fairly direct line down to the Lagunas de la Calderetas where we will make camp for the night. Depending on the availability of running water, we may camp at the upper lagunas or drop down to the streams below.
Lagunas de las Calderetas – Siete Lagunas
If anyone is keen, we can start the day with an up-and-back climb to Puntal Goteron, just above the camp. We then set off downhill to skirt around the huge north east face of Alcazaba before climbing up onto it and following its line on up to the peak of Alcazaba, 3369m. This long but spectacular ascent will probably take most of the morning. We can also make an optional short detour to the peak of Penon Globo on the way up or down.
After visiting Alcazaba’s summit we cross to a steep and loose descent down to the Sieta Lagunas. There is another optional up-and-back detour from here up to Puntal de Siete Lagunas before we set up camp next to one of the many lagunas to choose from here.
Siete Lagunas – Laguna Lanjaron
Today we have a similar start to yesterday as we make our way down to outflank the north east face of Mulhacen before climbing up onto it and following it up to the summit. The climb is shorter and easier than yesterdays and the views from mainland Spain’s highest point more than compensate for the effort.
The descent down to Mosca col is made considerably easier by the well made path. From the col we have the option of around a 45 minute detour out to the spectacular outlying peak of Juego de Bolos. From here you get a great view back to the north face of Mulhacen.
Moving on to the Vivac de Caldera refuge we have another optional ascent of the very steep and loose scree to Puntal de la Caldera, the highest point on the spectacular curving caldera rim. We then make a rising traverse up and around the bowl of the caldera to the peaks of Loma Pelada then an easy descent to the former road along the Crestones ridge.
We follow this track around and through the notch in the Respones ridge and below the steep and loose face of Cerro de Los Machos. As the track rounds the shoulder we have the option of an hour or so detour up to the summit of Machos before continuing on the track around to Carihuelo col and refuge. From here we have an optional ascent of Veleta, which takes at least an hour, before we drop steeply down to the Lagunillas de la Virgen and follow the well made trail around and back up to the Elorietta refuge. From here we have the option of yet another out-and-back detour to the peak of Tajos Nevero. We then drop down to camp at the Laguna Lanjaron in the valley just below the refuge.
Laguna Lanjaron – Pena Caballera – Mairena
This morning we start by climbing back up to the main ridge near Elorietta before following it over Tozal del Cartujo and a whole series of undulations before our final 3000m peak of Caballo. It is then almost all down hill, either keeping just west of the main ridge or dropping into the valley to the east, to our pick-up on the 4×4 road just below the Pena Caballera. From here we will drive down into Lanjaron before changing vehicles to drive across to the village of Mairena and our hotel.
Mairena
We will stay in a beautiful hotel called Las Chimineas which is perfect to allow us to relax and also have the opportunity to experience some of the local cultural and gastronomic highlights. Potential activities include; A visit with history talk to the local ancient church / mosque at Jubar, visit and talk about local farming techniques at Las Chimineas’ own organic farm and a visit to Mairena olive mill.
After savouring a last slow continental morning and lunch we will drive back to Malaga for evening flights back to the UK.
Ready for an Adventure of a Lifetime?
Choose a scheduled date or contact us to set up private dates or a bespoke itinerary. The minimum deposit is £100.00 and the balance is due four weeks before travel.
Fixed Itineraries
No upcoming trips found.
