NW Sierra Nevada

This area, which includes pretty villages like Güéjar Sierra, Monachil and Dílar, is one of the most beautiful and spectacular parts of the Sierra Nevada.

Fortunately, this area is close to Granada, so it is relatively easy to reach. You can either base yourself in Granada or one of the villages, and many of the walks are accessible by public transport.

See a list of all of the walks in North-West Sierra Nevada below. Alternatively, search in a more specific area:

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: NW Sierra Nevada

Dílar – Ermita Vieja (Version B)

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15 km   4 hours   650m   Medium   Easy   Medium    

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A pleasant walk through pine forests suitable for all seasons. From Cerro de Montellano there are fantastic views of the Sierra Nevada, including Cerro del Caballo (3011m). Also takes in two attractive chapels: Ermita Nueva (the new chapel) and Ermita Vieja (the old).

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.

Hoya de la Mora – Veleta

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9 km   2 h 15 min   373 m   Medium   Easy   Easy    

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On a clear day, the peak of Veleta offers 360° views of the surrounding mountains of the Sierra Nevada, the Mediterranean and even Africa. In summer and early autumn the ascent is remarkably straightforward for being such a high mountain, and the fresh mountain air at the summit is a welcome relief from the heat at lower altitudes.

Laguna de las Yeguas

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6 km   1 h 45 min   81 m   Easy   Medium   Easy    

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This walk starts at an altitude of over 3,000 metres, making use of the ski lifts that are open in summer. As a result, you get a taste of the high mountains without having to walk up thousands of metres! There are great views down to the city of Granada and the surrounding mountains. The walk takes you to some beautiful mountain tarns and meadows where the water bubbles up from the ground, before heading back down through the ski station.

Las Chorreras

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7.5 km   2h 30 min   306 m   Easy   Easy   Easy    

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This walk starts from Borreguiles, at the top of the cable car. The first part of the walk isn’t particularly attractive, as it goes through part of the ski resort. After that, however, the countryside becomes much prettier, and there are some great views. The last part of the walk takes you down into the Dilar valley. Here there are lots of small streams and some lush meadows that are perfect for a picnic.

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.

Picacho Alto

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13 km   4 h 15 min   900 m   Hard   Hard   Medium    

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This walk takes you to the top of Picacho Alto (1,776 m) in the Alayos de Dilar, which are a row of jagged mountains made of limestone and dolomite. Although the Alayos are not particularly high, the scenery is amazing and the area feels quite remote. Some sections of the walk are very steep, but you get magnificent views of the city of Granada, the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada and the surrounding peaks of the Alayos. The final part of the walk takes you down a spectacular ravine.

San Francisco – Haza Mesa

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14 km   4h 15 mins   430m   Medium   Medium   Medium    

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Always above the treeline, this walk offers very open views – up to the highest peaks, down to the foothills and across to the neighbouring range of Sierra de Huétor. Although you are very close to the ski station, you wouldn’t know it, because the infrastructure is hidden behind a ridge.

San Francisco – Las Sabinas

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12 km   4 h 15 mins   530m   Medium   Medium   Medium    

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This pleasant circular walk starts off parallel to the San Juan gorge, before taking you up above the treeline to the Albergue San Francisco, where you get wide open views of the surrounding landscape, including up to the high mountains.