The Mulhacén is the highest peak in the peninsula and one of the main destinations for hikers who want to enjoy breath-taking views of the area. It's located in the Sierra Nevada National Park, near Güejar, Capileira, and Trevélez. The name comes from a Moorish king of Granada from the fifteenth century who is said to have been buried on the mountain, Mulay Hasan.
If we want to plan an ascent to Mulhacén, the best season to do this is summer since both wind and snow can quite hinder our ascent, reaching temperatures up to -20º C in winter.
We can ascend to Mulhacén on several of its sides, the south side being perhaps one of the easiest, without too many challenges. The west side can represent a greater effort for being steeper, but it is still just as easy. For more experienced climbers, both the North and East sides present an interesting challenge.
To climb the peak, we can start from the villages of Capileira or Trevélez. The route can be completed in one day, but if we want to, we can camp in Siete Lagunas or spend the night in the shelter of Poqueira. If we choose to start from Sierra Güejar, we have the option to spend the night in Cueva Secreta, from where we depart the next day after having passed next to Laguna de la Mosca, a pretty tough climb.
If we want to facilitate our tour to a great extent, we can take the minibus from Capileira, a conveyance provided by the Sierra Nevada National Park and which includes a guide. The journey will take us to the viewpoint of Trevélez, a place from where it is not too hard to reach the summit where we will be picked up later by the same minibus that will leave us in the place of departure.
Another option of shared transport to Mulhacén is to take the bus that leaves from the highest point of the ski resort and which allows us a more complicated route than the previous one, recommended for those who already have experience and which also can be done during the winter using the lifts instead of taking the bus. If we are to make use of the minibus, we have to previously book as places are limited.
The following route may not be the easiest; always remember that we are at an altitude of more than 3000 meters, so if you are not accustomed, you could suffer from altitude sickness. Also, vertigo sufferers might struggle along a narrow path, which is equipped with everything necessary to feel safe.
The tour can start at Hoya Mora, and you can also take a minibus that takes you to the place known as 'Posiciones del Veleta'. This route does not pass along any spring, thus it is recommended to bring water.
The itinerary of the route is as follows:
The final climb is the hardest of the tour, but it will definitely be worthwhile to observe the landscape from the summit.
We have to drive from Malaga to Granada and take the direction to Genil on the A-395 road until we see the sign that indicates the direction to Güejar Sierra and Veleta.
If needed, you can check the prices for car hire at Malaga airport or print this map with the route from Malaga to Borreguiles, Hoya Mora, and Albergue Universitario.
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