Güéjar Sierra

Güéjar Sierra

The white village of Güéjar Sierra is perched on the hill above the Canales reservoir. Window boxes overflowing with bougainvillea, geraniums and petunias decorate the narrow winding streets. Although popular with tourists, the village retains a very traditional, Spanish feel.



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Some of the very best hikes in the Sierra Nevada start near Güéjar, and accommodation options in the village include hotels, self-catering apartments and a campsite. It’s also possible to base yourself in Granada and access the walks in this area by car or bus.

Instituto Geográfico de EspañaPlease note that the information sheets provided for download may not be altered or sold. Topographic base maps © Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España, original scale 1:25,000.

List of Hikes: Güéjar Sierra

Cortijo Hornillo Version A

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16 km   4h 30min   813m   Medium   Easy   Medium    

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This route winds up through a forest of oak and pine trees, before taking you on to the Cortijo del Hornillo, one of the old summer farms in the mountains. The location is idyllic, and the views of the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada are incredible. The walk returns along the lower part of the popular Vereda de la Estrella path, in the beautiful valley below.

Cortijo Hornillo Version B

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16.5 km   5h 30min   1054m   Hard   Medium   Hard    

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This walk winds its way up through a pleasant forest of oaks and pines, before continuing up the ridge of the Loma de San Juan, from which you have panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada. The climb is fairly relentless, and steep in parts, but if you’re reasonably fit and the weather’s good the amazing scenery more than makes up for it! Return via the attractive Cortijo del Hornillo and the lower part of the Vereda de la Estrella.

Güéjar Sierra – Cerro el Calar

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11 km   4 hours   763m   Medium   Medium   Medium    

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It’s a steep walk up from Güéjar Sierra to the civil war trenches on the ridge just below Cerro el Calar, but you are rewarded for your efforts with wonderful views of all of the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada, from Picón de Jerez in the east, to Cerro del Caballo in the west. The route continues up over Cerro el Calar itself before heading back down to Güéjar past lush meadows and some interesting rock formations.

Güéjar Sierra – Jarales Loop

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9.5 km   3 hours   410m   Medium   Medium   Medium    

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Starting from the top of the village of Güéjar Sierra, this walk takes you up to a narrow ridge between two valleys. From the top of the ridge, you have spectacular views south towards the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada and north towards the Sierra de Huetor. The climb up, which isn’t too steep or long, goes through pleasant scrubland with a mixture of bushes, wild herbs and flowers.

Lavaderos de la Reina

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17 km   6 hours   640 m   Medium   Medium   Medium    

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Lavaderos de la Reina means “the Queen’s washing place”. It is an area of lush meadows fed by mountain springs. By far the best time to visit is in late spring or early summer, when the melting snow feeds the gushing streams. The first part of the route also gives some great views of the Sierra Nevada.

Vereda de la Estrella

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21 km   6 hours   650 m   Medium   Easy   Easy    

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The Vereda de la Estrella is one of the classic hikes of the Sierra Nevada. The scenery in this deep valley is stunning, and the Vereda de la Estrella path, originally built to access the Estrella copper mine, is a feat of engineering. Above the gorge, there are views of the rugged north faces of the three highest peaks in the mountain range – Mulhacén, Veleta and Alcazaba. A long walk, but well worth the effort. If the full walk seems too much, it’s still worth considering going part way along the path. The path is well-marked and very easy to follow.

Vereda de la Estrella Loop

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22.5 km   7 hours   1008m   Hard   Medium   Medium    

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This route incorporates one of the classic hikes of the Sierra Nevada, the Vereda de la Estrella, but rather than going out and back the same way, it forms a circuit using a higher path on the other side of the valley, giving you a more open view of the rugged north faces of the three highest peaks in the mountain range – Mulhacén, Veleta and Alcazaba. A long walk, but well worth the effort. The scenery in this deep valley is stunning, and the Vereda de la Estrella path, originally built to access the Estrella copper mine, is a feat of engineering. If the full walk seems too much, it’s still worth considering going part way along the main path.