Most people vising Granada are very surprised when they find out that in Andalusia, worldwide known for its many beaches, snow skiing is also possible. Without bragging, we can say that Sierra Nevada is nowadays one of the best winter resorts in Spain. The Mulhacén peak, the highest mountain on the Iberian Peninsula, has an altitude of 3,478 metres, which guarantees abundant, top quality snow despite the fact that Sierra Nevada is the most southern ski resort in the European continent. Sierra Nevada, where also outstand peaks such as Veleta, with its imposing 3,394 metres high, Alcazaba (3,366 metres) or Picón de Jérez (3,088 metres), was declared Reserve of the Biosphere by the UNESCO in 1986, Natural Park in 1989 and, finally, National Park in 1999. The latter one, with 86,208 hectares of surface embracing 44 districts of Granada and Almeria provinces, presents us with landscapes that astonish by their massiveness, being up to date the largest National Park in Spain. It is approximately 80 kilometres long and presents a variable width that range between 15 kilometres to the east and 40 kilometres to the west. It is the most southern mountain range in Europe and the highest after The Alps. Sierra Nevada has the highest mountain lagoons in Spain, counting more than 50 of them, both permanent or seasonal ones. The Mountain Rang of the Sun (Sierra del Sol) as it used to be called in the Middle Ages, which mountains enchanted the Muslim population of Al-Ándalus and are the background of the most beautiful Granadan pictures, treasures among snowy peaks, woods and rivers, the beauty of a land where Mother Nature shows Herself in full regalia. With villages and towns full of magic, between the monumentality of Granada city and the breathtaking Sierra Nevada where its National Park houses the greatest number of endemic vegetal species in Europe and all the Mediterranean region, which origins go back to the ice ages in the Quaternary, when northern Europe vegetation went south, bringing to Sierra Nevada own species that increased the number of endemic ones. Sierra Nevada National Park, prodigious crossroads of flora, fauna and landscape, it treasures biological vestiges of various latitudes that, in this "climatic island" found specific places where stay or to shelter, evolving differently, giving this National Park the status of "Botanical Museum" in the Network of Spanish National Parks and turning it into one of the places with greater biological diversity in the world. The great variety of existing ecosystems in Sierra Nevada enables the presence of a rich fauna, with beautiful woods where birds, mamals and reptiles live. We must remark the mountain goat, that has on these mountains the greatest population in the world. In humid areas there are several species of anphibians, as well as common river trouts. But the true stars in Sierra Nevada fauna are the invertebrates, being over one hundred species endemic of the region. In 2002 Sierra Nevada was chosen Z.E.P.A. area because of its importance as a rest place and winter season living area for migratory birds. We can count more than 60 bird species and 80 insect species in the region. On the high peaks, where the mountaing goat reigns, also live snow birds (owls and geese), weasels and little moles. The mid-mountain is the domain of foxes and night animals as well as reptiles such as the ladder snake or the lizard. Sierra Nevada Ski Resort The ski resort of Sierra Nevada is situated in the municipal territory of Monachil, only 25 minutes to Granada by car. The quality of its facilities and services, as well as its lively atmosphere, make it the meeting point for the countless snow lovers; it enjoys an international recognition as proven by the numerous ski competitions that hosts. During the day, it is possible to enjoy the large variety of sports and snow activities and, at night, fun is guaranteed with night skiing, tapas and drinks by the snow, concerts, restaurants, discos, and many other amenities. Ski Tracks The ski resort consists of six different areas: Veleta, Laguna de las Yeguas, Borreguiles, Loma Dilar, Parador and Rio that are, altogether, 80 tracks.
Sulayr Snow Park is ideal for snowboard lovers and freestyle skiers, with new handicaps and maximum security. Also has ski courses and a practic guide for disabled skiers.
Summer at Sierra Nevada
Enjoying an average temperature of 20º C, it is the perfect location to do of all kinds of outdoor activities. The high mountain resort housed the World Mountain Bike Championship in 2000 as well as the World Aerial Games 2001, where the best international para-gliders met. Also, there a wide range of active tourism family focused can be found, such as language courses, children camps, sport competitions or star watching at 2,645 m of altitude. These active tourism activities take place at the recreational and sports area of Fuente del Mirlo, with facilities like tennis courts, basketball courts, rest area, and bar-cabin, not forgetting the beautiful lagoons.
Sierra Nevada towns and scenery All the towns in the Sierra Nevada region are immersed in their environmental surroundings and keep the tradition flavour, adding to it the asset of being halfway between Granada city and Sierra Nevada high peaks. Rivers and irrigation ditches cross the region towns, accompanied by the silence, ideal to enjoy the quietness and the rest in a familiar and cosy ambiance. Framed in the fertile landscape of Granada meadows, making a beautiful postcard along with the natural watchtower of Sierra Nevada, their history has always been bound to the one of Granada city. Many of these villages and towns have their origin in muslim farmhouses that were dependant from the capital city, its inhabitants devoted agricultors and silk products. The Muslim mark is reflected in the countless irrigation ditches that collect the melting ice waters from Sierra Nevada summits to take them to the fertile plain lands, the wisest way of using such a precious resource.
Sierra Nevada’s Gastronomy- The flavour of tradition Almonds, oil, cereals, products from the pig... Having a meal at any of Sierra Nevada towns and villages is, no doubt, a pleasure for the traditional cuisine lovers. Delicious dishes that go back to andalusi times, using almonds, olive oil, cereals, pork and many others, Sierra Nevada’s people make flavourful food, such as maimones soup (made with egg, garlic, red pepper, bread, olive oil and salt) sausage of Cájar, beans with cured ham, granadina soup, choto al ajillo (kid in garlic sauce), gachas and migas, mushrooms, trouts, chicken in garlic sauce, cured ham in the cold mountain air, etc. All of it washed down with the tasty grape juice of Huétor Vega, Dílar or Monachil, where pacharán wine is also produced. And there is no better way of ending a succulent meal than eating the famous pastry made in Huétor Vega, with its olive oil cakes, twisted rolls of aniseed and exquisite fried milk with honey. Alternative Tourism and Trekking Routes To enjoy and get to know the unparalelled natural richness in Sierra Nevada sep by sep, there is no better way that walking. To this purpose, there are countless shelters scattered all over the mountains, as well as routes to be followed, which length ranges from 1 day to more. These are some suggested routes: .-Güéjar mountain range Route, of high difficulty and great unevenness, duration 2 days. This round trip route starts at Güéjar mountain range, goes on by San Juan Ravine, Vadillo, Choza del Tío Papeles, Barranco Peña Partida., Pico del Cuervo, Laguna de Juntillas, Atalaya, Vacares, Loma del Calvario, again by Vadillo to end in Güéjar Sierra. .-Güéjar Sierra – Mulhacén Route, of high difficulty and 1 day long until Laguna de la Mosca. Starting from Güéjar Sierra – Vereda de la Estrella – Cueva Secreta – Collado de la Majá del Palo – Laguna de la Mosca – Mulhacén.
.-Snow fields Route, of low difficulty
Starting point at Huétor Vega, following the paths that the snow and ice carriers took when they delivered ice from Sierra Nevada.
.-Monachil – La Cortijuela Route, of low difficulty
Going along the La Cortijuela way from the town of Monachil to the Botanical Garden of La Cortijuela. Biketourism Another one of the very popular activities to take up during the summer season is mountain bike trips, ideal to get to know Sierra Nevada meanwhile practicing a healthy sport. The Mountain and Ski resort, which importance as a Mountain Bike Centre, organizes every summer routes of varied difficulty and duration, adapted to all tastes and possibilities. As an example, we suggest the following routes: 1 - Güéjar Sierra – Vereda de la Estrella (4 hours length and médium difficulty, with a drop of 1,088 m- 1,700 m. ) Vereda de la Estrella – Río Guarnón– Arroyo Valdeinfierno – Majada del Palo.
2 - Pradollano – Veleta (3 hours, drop 2,150 m to 3,392 m, médium difficulty.)
Peñones de San Francisco –Go up along the road – Veleta Summit.
3 - Pradollano – Monachil (2 hours duration, low difficulty, drop of 2,150 m - 811 m.)
Descent along the road– Las Víboras Viewpoint – Monachil.
4 - La Zubia – La Cortichuela (drop of 900 m to 1,600 m, 3 hours duration, médium difficulty).
La Zubia – Forest Path – Cortijo Fuente del Hervidero – Arroyo Huenes – La Cortichuela.
Other activities
To those who love risk and adventure, as well as those who prefer peace and quietness, will find in Sierra Nevada a true paradise. There is a wide range of activities, such as anti-stress, beauty or weight loss, always with excellent services and facilities; also para-gliding from brethtaking peaks. Sierra Nevada also offers interesting Astronomy, meetings to watch the stars at a height of 2,000 metres, as the superb conditions of the location make it the perfect place to watch the sky. When naming Sierra Nevada we are giving a synonim of trekking and climbing, both rock and ice. Doing speleology in the grottos, such as the caves of the Cerro del Calar, the Collado del Alguacil and the Collado de las Viboras, in Güéjar mountain range. Another alternative of enjoying the nature is horseriding, enabling the tourist to get to know the region at a different pace. Congresses and Conventions at Sierra Nevada The Sierra of Sun combines perfectly well the offer of leisure and business. Because of the peace and quiet that is breathed there, its surroundings and the great variety of hotel facilities at the mountain and ski resort, turn Sierra Nevada into a privileged location for congresses, conventions and company meetings throughout the year.
How to get there
Reaching Sierra Nevada is very easy by the road A-395 that links Granada and the Pradollano ski resort, only 32 kilometres away, along a wide road of smooth slopes. The A-92 motorway makes access easy from any point of the region, connecting with the the rest of Spain’s road network. From the Mediterranean coast and the inland city of Jaén, the A-44 motorway leads to Granada and the road that goes up towards Sierra Nevada.
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