High Sierra Nevada hike ( snowshoeing in winter conditions)
Description
After picking you up at Granada city center, we will drive to the top of the Sierra Nevada road, 2500 meters (8000 ft), where we will head to the beautiful San Juan glacier valley: the ice has been excaving the rocks during thousand of years: beautiful waterfalls and rocks, as well as mountain goats, eagles, vultures and insects and plants that just exist here, as Sierra Nevada is Unesco Biosphere Reserve; This is an off the beaten path hike as we know the most secret spots in Sierra Nevada. We will get an elevation of more than 3000 meters(10000 ft), to the top of Tajos del Campanario, from where we will admire the north face of Muhacen(the highest peak in the Iberian peninsula), Veleta and Alcazaba. Hike distance 8 kilometres Elevation gained 600 meters IMPORTANT INFO: This is a moderate hike at altitude that some guests may find challenging. This tour is not recommended for people who do not regularly exercise.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Sierra Nevada, or Sulayr, Mountain of the Sun as it was called by the Muslims, rises up between the provinces of Granada and Almeria like a giant and compact massif with fifteen peaks of over 3,000 metres, including the Mulhacén (3,482 metres), the highest point on the Iberian Peninsula. After being collected from your accommodation in Granada, you will be driven to 2,500 meters above sea level to the top of the Sierra Nevada Road. From here you will head to the most beautiful glacier valley of Sierra Nevada, San Juan Valley. Here you will learn how the ice has been excavating the rocks throughout thousand of years. You will also encounter beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and shiny rocks, as well as wildlife such as mountain goats, eagles, birds migrating from Africa, and insects and plants that only exist here.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Sneakers or trainers are ok to enjoy this tour, you don’t need hiking shoes
- If you exercise regularly (running, cycling, swimming, tennis etc, you will enjoy this tour)
- If you feel too tired during the hike, there are some great spots where you can wait for the rest of the group on their way back
Reviews(97)
Very nice experience, good and helpful guide, but be aware, that it requieres some physical capabilities.
Very difficult for non-hikers so be warned but Jamie can provide everything you should need, you just need to ask ahead of time. That said, it was totally worth it and one of the coolest travel experiences I’ve ever done. 10/10
The hike with Jaime in the Sierra Nevada was pure joy — truly an unforgettable day! From the center of Granada, we reached Sierra Nevada in just about an hour in a comfortable minibus that took us to the starting point of our hike. The journey itself was already a pleasure: beautiful landscapes outside the window accompanied by calm rock ballads created a perfect atmosphere. Once we arrived, we had a short stop, and anyone who needed extra equipment was provided with a backpack, jacket, or a sun-protective hat. The weather was absolutely wonderful. The hike lasted around 4.5 hours at a relaxed pace with regular breaks, so everyone managed it comfortably. The trail itself is not technically difficult, although having a bit more fitness than the average office worker who never exercises is definitely helpful — or alternatively, being around 30 years old! Throughout the hike, Jaime shared fascinating information about the geology, fauna, and flora of the region, and he patiently answered all our questions. We were also accompanied by Kay, Jaime’s dog — an incredibly cheerful, energetic, and people-friendly companion. Friendly with absolutely everyone, Kay walked with us the entire way, happily rolling around in the snow and constantly inviting us to play by bringing sticks. The trail went both uphill and downhill, offering stunning valleys, waterfalls, breathtaking panoramas, and, above all, an overwhelming sense of peace and tranquility. This experience is absolutely worth recommending to anyone who loves nature and mountain adventures. Thank you, Jaime!
Jaimie and Kai were incredible guides. Jamie is a seasoned expert and was very patient with all hikers. His knowledge of the mountain, its vegetation and rock formation is incredible. We could not have asked for a better day.
I came to this 'hike' quite ill-prepared. I was wearing trainers and didn't take a jacket because I expected a nice little walk, a stop somewhere scenic for lunch and an easy descent. It was not like that at all but our guide Jaime and the group (Dan, Janet, Winston and Asako) were amazing. Jaime kitted me out with warm clothes and the group kept me going with their friendliness, warmth and encouragement. We saw an ice tunnel over the San Juan river, then hiked a waterfall, crossing snow and finally to the summit to see the view of Mulhacén. The weather was changeable and the terrain was rough but we did it and it was incredible. There were tiny flowers starting to bloom and lots of birds and insects and we were rewarded throughout the day with sightings of ibex. An absolutely wonderful day xx
Lovely experience with Jamie & Kai (his dog!) Would recommend to any traveler looking for an escape from the city for a bit!
I had a fantastic day out with Jaime, our tour leader. After seeing the Sierra Nevada from Granada, it was wonderful to be walking in the mountains themselves. Jaime was friendly and knowledgeable - a clear expert - making sure we had all the necessary equipment and information needed to have a really great time! Everything ran super smoothly, including the transfer to and from the city. The scenery was simply breathtaking - we had perfect snowy conditions, although I think this would be a brilliant adventure whatever the season & weather. I’d love to return one day to see the mountains in the Summer too & wouldn’t hesitate to book this trip again. Thank you so much, Jaime!
Overall a really nice and relaxed hike. The drive was only about 45min from Granada and on the drive you'll go through some beautiful villages. The views on the hike was spectacular: for my hike in March I was able to get quite a close view of the snow-capped mountains. The route took us through many mountains. Jaime was a great guide who looked after everyone taking regular breaks, making sure everyone stayed hydrated and checking everyone had suitable clothing. He was very confident with the path and knew the mountains well. Highly recommend for a lovely escape from the city!! For other guests I recommend coming prepared with food and go to bathroom before as once you meet in the morning there are no stops for bathroom or buying food. Bring waterproof shoes (though I managed it all ok with running shoes). Hiking poles and warm clothing (gloves, fleece jacket) were provided. Our hike was on dry, rocky ground but some streams cut through our path. I would recommend this only for people confident with hiking as some paths were quite narrow with steep drops, and the first hour or so is quite steep.
Beautiful and relaxed hike. It was nice to be in a small, friendly group with a good guide and cute dog Kai. Highly recommend this tour if you want to get away from busy Granada.
This was a wonderful hike! Jaime was a fantastic guide, very kind and knowledgeable. I had a wonderful time and highly recommend!
