Suggested walks - Sierra Nevada National Park

The Sierra Nevada is a dramatic, rugged and extensive mountain range, the highest in Europe after the Alps and the most significant section of the Cordillera Penibetica. On a clear day its higherst peaks can be seen from as far away as Africa. The protected area covers 86,208 hectares of torrential rivers, sheer sided gorges, stony scree slopes, glacial lakes between snowy summits and in the foothills of the Alpajarras, cultivated terraces of almond trees and vegetables

Designated a national park in 1998, it is one of only 2 in Andalucia, the other being the Donana National Park. It also retains it’s status of natural park, which it has been since 1989, and this covers a marginally smaller area, of 85,777 hectares. It was declared a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in 1986, in recogniotion of it’s exceptionally diverse plant, bird and animal species.

There are many excellent signposted and way marked senderos (walks). Maps and walking guides are available in the Sierra’s tourist offices and visitors centres.

The long distance footpath which traverses Spain, crosses the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, linking the villages of the Alpujarras east to west.

The Via Verde of the Sierra Nevada is a former railway line that has been converted into a 6 kilometre walk starting 15 kilometres south of Granada at Guejar-Sierra.

Sendero Siete Lagunas is an 8 kilometre challenging walk to one of the Sierra’s most spectacular spots, a glacial valley at over 3000 metres sandwiched between the peaks of Mulhacen and Alcazeba, with seven mountain lakes. The walk starts in in Trevelez. In summer you can continue this walk on to the Mulhacen peak. You will need to camp overnight if you extend the walk.

Sendero Nacimiento del Rio Andarax is a fairly easy walk of 61/2 kilometres. It starts from the Nacimiento picnic area a few kilometres outside Laujar de Andarax in Almeria province and leads to the source of the Andarax river where there is another picnic area, Monterrey, with a mountain refuge.
First the path zig zags through a dense pine forest by the side of the river. Some 4 kilometres later there is a crossroads, take the left hand fork and a bit further on there are some superb views down the valley.. Carry on taking the left hand track wherever there is a fork in the track