This great mountaineering venue is still relatively unknown outside Spain. The area provides a fantastic alternative with guaranteed snow and ice, together with a greater chance of that magical combination of snow and sun. Plus, you need never queue for routes anymore!

This guide is ongoing work. We would welcome any feed back from climbers who have visited the area and have tried out any of the climbs. The guide gives mountaineers a flavour of what is on offer (at times only rough approach routes are suggested). Photos illustrate the approach and climb, rather than text. Interesting videos of the climbs are included when available.

The climbing feels and at times is, of an exploratory nature. The categories on the right have the climbs by grade or area. There are also posts on access and maps to use.

We have gathered the information from local sources and our own experience as mountain guides living and working permanently out here. We welcome the chance to share this information with interested parties. Use it as inspiration!

For groups, clubs and adventurers we offer a self guided support service including airport transfers, gear hire, dehydrated mountain food, gas, laminated maps, transport to and from the trailheads and cheap accommodation. We give free help and advice regarding route choice, access, weather and snow conditions to allcomers!

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.

GOOD CONDITION:
Cariguela (3200m). Sleeps12. Hut, wooden bunks. Between Veleta and Tajos de la Virgen. 3hrs from Hoya de la Mora.
Caldera (3100m). Sleeps 12. Hut, wooden bunks. S of Puntal de la Caldera next to the Laguna de la Caldera. 2hrs from Poqueira Hut. 1.5hrs from Cariguela hut. Good for access to Col de Ciervo and Mulhacen N face.
Loma Pela (3067m). Sleeps 12. Hut, wooden bunks. S of Loma Pelada just below the old road level.

POOR CONDITION:
Elorrieta (3197m). Sleeps 20 + bivvy tunnels. S end of Tajos de la Virgen.
Peña Partida (2451m). Sleeps 10. On the Loma de Maitena. Acess via Genil and Verada de Estrella. Good for northen mountains.
Cucharacha (1800m). Sleeps 16. On the Loma del Calvario. Access via the Verada de Estrella. Good for Alcazaba and Vacares sectors.
Vadillo (1342m). Sleeps 8. Where the Vadillo and Genil meet. Too low really for much use.
Caballo (2860m). Sleeps 8. Next to the Laguna del Caballo. 3hrs from the Ventura trailhead.

RUINED STATE:
Ventura (2180m). 15 mins from ventura trailhead.
Peñon Colorado (2875)
Loma de Cañar (2800m)
Cebollar (2500m). Access from Casa Forestal La Pluca or Puente Palo (2hrs)

NATURAL SHELTERS:
Cueva Secreta. Capacity 8. Confluence of Valsecasillas and Veldeinfiernos rivers. Useful for access to N faces of Mulhacen and Alcazaba.
Tunel de Veleta. Capacity 5-8. In the Corral de Veleta. Useful for climbing on N Veleta.
Siete Lagunas. Capacity 5-6. At the entrance to Siete Lagunas by Laguna Hondera. Sometimes buried under snow so take a shovel!

More info can be found at http://www.spanishhighs.co.uk/huts.html

Poqueira Hut details