Winter Mountaineering Guide, Sierra Nevada, SpainAccess and approaches

Access locations and map

admin — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:02:42 +0000

Access Locations:
(1) Hoya de la Mora (2500m). Follow the ski road from Granada to the ski town. Follow the signs left for “Veleta” above the town and reach a car park at the road end. Good quick access for Veleta, Los Machos and Catujo sectors. Cariguela hut is 3hrs from here.

(2) Cortijuela (1700m). Follow the road through La Zubia towards the Cumbres Verdes. Continue on past Fuente del Hervidero to the Cortijuela. Good for access to Dilar and Cartujo sectors.

(3) Fuente Fria (Dehesa de Durcal) (2150m). Follow the rough track above Niguelas going up the gorge. Keep going until the Cortijos de Echevaria are reached. Continue traversing NE on poor track until the road end at Fuente Fria. 4WD only. Good for Caballo and Cartujo access from the west.

(4) Ventura trailhead (2100m). Follow the track up the side of El Frenazo restaurant in Lanjaron. Signs lead in 45 mins to the Ventura trailhead. 15 mins to ruined Ventura hut. 3hrs to hut at Laguna de Caballo. At times 4WD necessary.

(5) Puente Palo (1750m). Above the village of Cañar and accessible from either Orgiva or Lanjaron (40 mins). Rough track but 4WD not necessary. Start point for Tajos de los Machos. 2 hours to Cebollar hut from here. Elorrieta is 5 hours and 1500m ascent!

(6) Casa Forestal La Pluca (2225m). East side of Las Alegas above the western flank of the Poqueira Gorge. Access from Soportujar (30 mins) on rough track. High access to Tajos de los Machos and Elorrieta hut (4hrs).

(7) Centro Electrico Cebadilla (1500m). Main sheltered route to Poqueira Hut in winter if snow low down. Just a 15 min drive above Capileira. Hut is 3 hours from here.

(8 ) Hoya de Portillo (2150m). A rough track above Capileira leads in 25 mins to the road end at a barrier by a ranger station. 4WD not normally necessary. Track upwards through the forest leads either to the Poqueira hut (3hrs) or the south ridge of Mulhacen. 2.5hrs to the Poqueira Hut. 5 hours to the Cariguela hut.

(9) Trevelez (1600m). The town is good for access to Alcazaba via Siete Lagunas (2900m).

(10) Jerez de Marsquesado. Normally start or end point for Los Tres Miles full ridge traverse. Long unrelenting ascent is necessary from here!

(11) Verada de Estrella. Via the town of Guejar Sierra. Follow the road through the town and via a series of road tunnels either side of the Genil river. Finally you arrive at the road end when there is ample car space available. Access the N and NW sides of Mulhacen, Alcazaba, Puntal de la Caldera from here. Also the Lanchar ridge can be started from here. 2hrs to the Cueva Sectreta bivouac site.

Rio Crestones, Raspones, Mulhacen, Caldera from the S

admin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:27:56 +0000

Access via the Poqueira Hut or Refugio de la Caldera.

Mulhacen N face from the S

admin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:23:37 +0000

Access the Collado de Ciervo via the Poqueira hut (2hrs) or the Refugio de la Caldera (20 mins). Drop down to the Laguna de la Mosca (30 mins). The Refugio de la Caldera is unguarded and normally has space but be careful on holidays and fiesta days!

Veredon Superior

admin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:58:45 +0000

For the entry from Los Posiciones into the Corral de Veleta. Normally a fixed abseil descent due large cornices. Gives access to Veleta, Veta Grande and Los Machos areas

Veleta from the Hoya de la Mora

admin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:00:32 +0000

To reach Los Posiciones for the descent into the Corral de Veleta for the climbs on Veleta and Los Machos north faces (2-3 hrs).

Poqueira Hut approaches

admin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:55:38 +0000

There are 3 main routes:
(1) Via the Hoya de Portillo ranger station above Capileira (3hrs) but depends on getting a car to the 2200m start point in the forest. Little ascent and the easiest route in good conditions.
(2) Via the Acequia route (3hrs). Not recommended if snow and ice below 2500m as this route will involve traversing angled slopes. Hard on the old feet!
(3) The Poqueira Gorge. From the electric station on up the valley head. Climb up to Cortijo thomas and then on up and left to the hut (4hrs). This is the most sheltered way in poor conditions.