Direct Eastern Ascent

Approach

You get to the trailhead via La Palma's mountain road LP-22. It winds for ever from Santa Cruz at sea level to about 1900m, where the trailhead is located. Actually you can drive a rugged forest road even higher up to gain another 100m.

Route Description

General data
  - Start altitude: 1900m
  - Summit altitude: 2232m
  - Prevailing exposition: west
  - Type: 90min along marked paths
  - Protection: marked

Effort: 350m of altitude gain

Power: 1 - no difficulties

Psyche: 1 - easy

The shortest ascent to Pico de la Nieve starts at a parking lot on LP-22. Head westward along LP-22 for a couple of minutes before the trail turns to the left (south and starts climbing the lower slopes of Pico de la Nieve. You cross one of the beautiful Canarian pine forests at first and after 20min the trail lowers to the second (higher) parking lot. Pass it on the northern side but immediately afterward turn south on a slope traverse of about 1km.

The trail zigzags uphill for a couple of minutes before you reach an intersection. The left-hand trail leads to Punta de los Roques, the right hand trail leads directly to Pico de la Nieve. You can take both trails the latter is the more direct and shorter one. The remainder of the ascent follows the trail without any significant problems and you reach Ruta de la Cresteria directly to the south of the Pico de la Nieve summit. Follow the crest trail, which passes the summit on its eastern side. On the easternmost part of the loop around the summit turn left (west) and head for the summit by a short scramble.

Essential Gear

Hiking gear all year. Maybe crampons in winter.

Images

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