Veleta — Local services in Güéjar Sierra

Hike was 2024-12-28

5 hours up, slowly hike, mostly on roads. About 70% were roads without snow. The rest of the way had some snow. But you could walk thru. 3 hours hike down, used some shortcuts. Could be done a little bit faster, but we were not in the rush.

Total 20 km, 12 km up and down 8 km (with shortcuts) elevation gain 940 m. Started from the parking at 9 in the morning. But i would recommend starting even a little bit earlier.

Hiked with regular running shoes, it's doable if you have some experience in hiking. But in some areas, especially on the top a little bit risky.

Few dangerous places near the top, if not experienced and without normal gear you might not make it. If you have spikes then it's pretty easy.

All other people used ski poles and spikes on the shoes, it really helps. In December end there is not so much snow as of today.

Remember suncreen, water, food and sunglasses (sun is so strong)

2 km till the parking road had sign not to enter, except for special vehicles. But hikers ignore it and drive thru....

I did the hike to the Pico Veleta today (May 2022) from Hoya de la Mora. The Pico is beautiful, and you can see 360 degrees, including a view of the Mulhacén (highest mountain in Sierra Nevada, which is just 180 meters higher). Even if you don't reach the top, the view on the way there is already great. If you have the time to climb this mountain, go for it!

Plus, if anyone wants to follow in my footsteps, here are some tips:

you can take the bus from Granada to Sierra Nevada / Hoya de la Mora which leaves at 9.00am in summer, and departs for Granada at 17.00. This gives you enough time to do the hike. There was still a lot of snow, especially when nearing the summit. I didn't have high hiking boots or ice cleats, but you definitely need them if there's snow. I sank up to my knee in the snow from time to time. If there's snow, it's quite a demanding hike. It took me 5.5 hours and I'm relatively...

The road to the top of the mountain is scenic and windy. As you approach the top, vegetation gradually disappear until you find surrounded by a moon-like landscape made od dust a and rocks. At the top, the passage is narrow and only tThose riding a motorbike can descend on the other side toward the coast. The descend also is a "liberating" ride: no traffic, no crowd, no noise. The scenery gradually returns to normality and green fields take the place of gray rocks. Several small elevated canals used for irrigation run from the top and provide fresh water to refresh. I camped for one night in the fields on the way down to the coast and it was such a calming experience.......