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| Veleta   | 
| Page Type: Mountain/Rock Location: Sierra Nevada, Spain, Europe Lat/Lon: 37.06670°N / 3.3667°W Elevation: 11135 ft / 3394 m | Page By: Tim Vossenberg Created/Edited: Aug 17, 2001 / Jan 18, 2007 Object ID: 150489 Hits: 12780 Loading... Page Score: 89.45% - 29 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
OverviewThe Pico Veleta is the 4th highest mountain of Spain and the second highest of the Sierra Nevada which separate Granada from the Mediterranean Sea.
 The Sierra is very impressive and coverred with snow for almost the whole year. After the Alps, this is the second highest massive of Western Europe and it contains the most southern skiarea of Europe.
From the summit you have, on a clear day, an enormous view to the Mulhacen, the IRAM Radio Observatory, the Mediterranean Sea and Marroc.
RoutesYou can make your trip to the Sierra Nevada and its mountains from a lot of places in Spain, but it's fair to say that your starting point may be Granada.
The easy way is to drive from Granada to the only skiresort in the Sierra Nevada. It's called Pradollano (Solynieve), an ugly place built at 2500 m. in the 70's and is situated at the Northside of the Sierra. It's very easy to find: just follow the signs "Sierra Nevada".
From here you can do the summit the easy or the hard way. The first is follow the "La carretera más alta d'Europa" (the highest road in Europe!) which brings you to the summit. The hard way is to find your own track up there. The walk itself is not very strenous and can be shortcut easily. In contrary to the industrial appearance of Pradollano, the Veleta itself has remained wonderfully undisturbed by the skiing area.
If your starting point is from the south (Costa del Sol, between Malaga and Almeria, Alpujarras), the most logical start is from Capileira. I never did this route but it seems to be worth to do. Visit first a town called Pampaneira, just a couple of kilometers to the south, where you can visit the Sierra Nevada informationcentre (Plaza de Libertad, Pampaneira, phone: 958763127).
When To ClimbThe Pico Veleta can be done the whole year. There may be a lot of snow during the winterseason (Novenber to May), so bring your crampons and iceaxe with you.
During the summermonths it can be a hot climp so bring yourself lots of water. Remind yourself that there is a chill wind up there so prepare yourself bringing your fleece with you!
Red TapeNo permits for this area and no parking problems in Pradollano. Take care of the wildlife. In 1986 the Natural Park of Sierra Nevada was given the Reserve of the Biosphere award due to the diversity and uniqueness of its plants and wildlife. It was also known as “the botanic jewel of Europe”.
Also note that Spain does not have a sophisticated mountain rescue service, such as you find in Alpine countries and if you get into trouble you will need to rely on your own resources and those of your companions.
Where to stayThere are a few Refugios
Poqueira Capileira. 2500 m. de altura. 87 beds, phone: 908.55.42.24 / 958.34.33.49
Refugio del Caballo
Refugio-Vivac deLa Caldera
Postero Alto Jerez del Marquesado. 1800 m. de altura. 60 beds, phone: 958.34.51.54 / 958.67.23.84
There is also a little non-guarded hut called Refugio-Vivac de la Carigüela del Veleta a little lower than that shelter, between Veleta and Tajos de la Virgen. If you like it natural: Refugio Natural de Siete Lagunas
Pradollano offers you a lot of beds to choose from.
Camping is not officially allowed in the Sierra Nevada national park, but you can get a permit to camp at the "refugio natural de siete lagunas" which is a splendid camping place at 2890 metres between Trevelez and Mulhacen/Alcazaba.
MapsFor climbing the Pico Veleta you can use these maps. For more information see next links:
Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada
Official website Granada (Spanisch, Englisch)
Also see the Mulhacen page for other maps!
Getting thereThe Sierra Nevada is situated in the South of Spain in the Adalucia region just a few kilometers North of Costa del Sol and the African continet. With major cities as Sevilla, Cordoba, Malaga and Granada, it is easy to reach by plane.
The city of Malaga, Sevilla and Granada has flights from major European cities such as London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Dusseldorf and Rome as well as domestic destinations like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Alicante.
Trains run from Barcelona, Valencia City and Madrid to to this part of Spain.
From Granada the A-395 leads you directly into the Sierra Nevada. Depends on the place your journy begins, drive to the North or South side of the Sierra Nevada.
IRAM Observatory Pico VeletaThe Radio Observatory Pico Veleta is located at an altitude of 2920 m in the Spanish Sierra Nevada about 50 km from Granada at geographical longitude 3°23'33.7" WEST and latitude 37°03'58.3" NORTH. The principal activity of IRAM (Institut de Radio Astronomie Millimétrique) is the study of cold matter (molecular gas and dust) in the solar system, in our Galaxy, and out to cosmological distances in order to determine its composition, density, mass, temperature, and kinematics. The site is at high altitude to reduce the absorption by water vapor.
Biking infoPradollano to Pico Veleta
This is already a biking classic. The highest road pass in Europe ("La carretera más alta d'Europa") takes you from the ski resort of Pradollano to within reach of Pico Veleta. The route rises 1.2km over 17km in distance and will take approximately three hours there and back. It's steady with few really steep bits. The route is also possible all the way from Granada. Just follow the signs.
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