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| Alcazaba   | 
| Page Type: Mountain/Rock Location: Sierra Nevada, Spain, Europe Elevation: 11060 ft / 3371 m | Page By: Tim Vossenberg Created/Edited: Oct 21, 2004 / Feb 20, 2006 Object ID: 153240 Hits: 5160 Loading... Page Score: 88.77% - 15 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
OverviewAlcazaba is at 3366 meter high and is the third highest mountain of Sierra Nevada, just at the left of the Mulhacén and Veleta peaks when seen from Pradollano ski resort and is the steepest and isolated top of all Sierra Nevada. Easy to climb, as much in winter as in single summer, its a walk up to the summit. From the summit, if the weather is clear you will be able to have an enormous view to the Mulhacen, the Mediterranean Sea, Marroc and whole of the Province of Andalucía. In winter, generally between the months of December and April Sierra Nevada is covered with snow and ice and when climbed in winter is the perfect combination of some difficulty and beauty with an attractive approximation hike and amazing final ascent.
In the background (from L to R): Pico del Cuervo (3.151 m), Puntal de Vacares (3.146 m), Alcazaba (3.371 m) and Mulhacén (3.482 m, highest mountain in the Iberian Peninsula). In the foreground, Cerro de los Machos (3.324 m). Taken from the top of Veleta on June 6th, 2004. Submitted by Diego Sahagún on Aug 23, 2004
Overview pics of the Mulhacén and the Alcazaba.
 
RoutesNorth Face of Alcazaba:
The north face of Alcazaba is one of the most spectacular and amazing walls of all Sierra Nevada, since it rises from the valley of the Genil river and is all surrounded by infinity of runners and vasares (great shelves) that facilitates their ascent. The route is easy for those who have some alpine winter experience and its major dificulty are the slopes of snow and ice with 55º. Duration of the route: 5 h. until the refuge and 1h. to the base of the wall.
When to climbThe Alcazaba 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.
Dangerous at the end of April and May due to snow avalanches and rock "chutes" because of the heat.
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!
Natural Park Sierra NevadaTake 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.
Note: 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).
For more information see next links:
Routes and Refugios Guia Montanera (spanisch)
Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada
Official website Granada (Spanisch, Englisch)
3000-ers of Sierra Nevada, SpainMulhacén 3.482 m
Veleta 3.394 m
Alcazaba 3.371 m
Cerro de los Machos 3.324 m
Puntal de Siete Lagunas 3.255 m*
Tajos de la Virgen 3.237 m
Tajos del Nevero 3.196 m
Punta de Loma Pelada 3.188 m
Cerro Pelado 3.179 m
Tozal del Cartujo 3.152 m
Pico del Cuervo 3.151 m
La Atalaya 3.148 m
Puntal de Vacares 3.146 m
Cerro de las Tres Lindes 3.141 m*
Crestones de Río Seco 3.128 m*
Cerro del Mojón Alto 3.118 m*
Los Cervatillos 3.112 m*
Pico de la Laguna de Bolaños 3.109 m*
Picón de Jerez 3.090 m
Pico del Tajo de los Machos 3.086 m
Puntal del Goterón 3.072 m*
Loma del Cañar 3.056 m*
Juego de Bolos 3.034 m
Cerro del Caballo 3.009 m
Tajos de Loma Alta 3.004 m
*Subsidiary summits
Where to StayThere are a few Refugios (see links Natural Park Sierra Nevada section):
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.
  
From left to right: Refugio del Poqueria, the Caldera Hut, the La Carihuela cabin.
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.
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