The Sierra Nevada (“snow-clad mountain range”) in Andalusia is a well-known skiing region in south-eastern Spain, but you can make there lots of nice mountain hikes and mountain climbs too.

In fact, the highest mountains in continental Spain are located in this easily accessible mountain range.

Especially easy to ascend even during the winter season is the second highest peak Pico del Valeta (3396 meters AMSL), for you can park your car on 2500 meters and then choose to walk on a (higher up snow-covered) paved road that leads directly to the summit.

Impressions of the Sierra Nevada, December 2024

Of course you can make the tour a little more challenging and ascend on the steep slopes instead of walking the serpentines, and explore the area around Pico del Valeta or even hike further to Mulhacén, the highest mountain in the Sierra Nevada (3479 meters AMSL).

Spending the night in a refuge on 3200 meters (“Refugio Vivac de la Carihuela”, just a small shelter made of brick) would make such a hike more of a real adventure, and you could find other outdoor enthusiasts there also (I was lucky to find two new friends during my tours).

Some equipment is necessary regardless. In any case you should use spikes for your boots, or crampones depending what you want to do; hiking poles or an ice axe may also be useful. Bringing and wearing warm clothing is a matter of course, for it can get very windy and cold near the peak. Sun glasses are also important.

The view from the peak is fantastic, although to the west it’s a bit spoiled because of the many ski lifts and an observatory farther down.

To the south you can marvel at the soft sunlight gleaming mysteriously behind the mountains (I am not entirely sure but I think these are reflections on the Mediterranean sea, see pictures below), and to the east the snow-clad Mulhacén dominating the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Photo gallery