Why a bivouac on a ridge so close to Granada? Well, to do the full Alayos de Dilar ridge proper, you need to establish yourself at the Pino de Collado at the eastern end of the ridge. This takes 4.5hrs (with normal stops included) from the trailhead at Area de la Naturaleza. Access is alongside the Dilar river to the Toma del Canal and then steeply up through pine forest to the col. The length is about 11km with all the twists and turns of the track and about 950m of ascent. The full ridge back from there makes for a very very long day. The ridge and scenery is just too good to be rushed!
The other reason for getting to the col early is to be in a position in the early morning to capture the rising sun hitting the rock faces seldom seen. For instance, the spectacular NE face of Corazon de la Sandia is only in sunlight for an hour each day. Great for those unusual photos.
We spent a rather cold bivvy up there. The site we chose was just west of the first main peak on the ridge, named El Castillejo (1979m) on some maps. There is nowhere for a tent here, just some spaces where a bivvy bag can be laid out. The ridge hereabouts is a bit chossy with boulders and spiky vegetation, but we managed to find a relatively level area with some gaps between the greenery.
The mists came down overnight, but not before we had treated ourselves to a some delicious mountain food. Mike tried making “Bannock Bread”, a simple mix of flours and yeast which was a staple food during Shackletons famous South Atlantic adventure in the early part of the last century!
It rained overnight but by sunrise it was cold, bright and clear, although some hill fog formed over Veleta and the higher peaks of the Sierra Nevada. By 8.30 we were off westwards along the crest of the ridge. The ridge gets better as you proceed west. Rocky steps can be taken direct or by-passed by a rather vague track on the left. Some good scrambling exists if you choose to go and look for it.
With the sun at our backs we arrived at the reigning peak, Corazon de la Sandia (or “Heart of the Watermelon” in spanish!). A short scramble got us on top of its 1877m rocky summit. Then it was on to Pichacho Alto (1773m) before dropping down into the Rambla Seca and following this dry valley back to the trailhead start.
This is a good 9hr round trip walk, but I believe it is much better if spread over 2 days (or 2 half days) when you can relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery that this area provides. For further information about walking in the Cumbres Verdes near Granada or for day or multi day walks with a guide, contact Spanish Highs Mountain Guides.
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