Mulhacen in the summer is a fairly straightforward, but long and hard trek up and down the south ridge. There is normally a National Park bus service operating during the summer months from Capileira, but this year the access may well be affected by old snow and ice patches lying across the track. The description below should help those who wish to climb the mountain in a day via the south ridge. The south ridge is mainly clear of snow and ice, and crampons and ice axe is not required.
We received an email from Dave Broggio who ascended Mulhacen. I don’t normally publish testimonials here but thought that the correspondence below might assist those who are looking to climb the peak this summer unguided and outside the winter (snow covered) months. It gives route details and access instructions.
Dave Broggio says………………
“Many, many thanks for your guidance and advice on the route to the summit of Mulhacen! We found your route below really useful, and really appreciated your assistance.
We ended up hiking to the summit last Saturday, and enjoyed it immensely – we returned to the UK on Tuesday, and the ascent was definitely among our highlights.
The hike itself was comfortable. Along the way we saw a good variety of insects and wildlife, including what we think is an ibex.
Along the route visibility was good but a little hazy, and when we reached the summit a thunderstorm developed in front of our eyes – so we didn’t stay too long there! All in, the return journey took us around 9 hours, and we certainly felt it the next day.
Once again, our thanks for your help and advice on the route – we will recommend Spanish Highs to any of our friends who travel to the region.
Best wishes,
David
—————————–
From: richard@spanishhighs.co.uk
To: davebroggio@*****************
Subject: Mulhacen
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 15:56:13 +0200
Hi David
The only way real you can do Mulhacen in a day at the present time is via the south ridge.
Access:
Through the town of Lanjaron to Orgiva. Turn left before Orgiva towards Capileira and Trevelez. After 20 mins you will enter a big gorge with 3 white villages high above the end of the valley. These villages are Pampaneira, Bubion and Capileira. Head round and up the gorge following the main road, passing through Pampaneira. 5 mins more just before a petrol station turn left to Capileira.
Keep following the road through Capileira and on up the hillside. 5 mins – you will pass horse riding stables. Immediately after take the right when the road forks. Follow this rough track for 15 mins. Park at the Forestry Station barrier and car park.
Mulhacen Ascent:
There is a board next to the forestry station with a map. Head straight uphill through the forest on a marked and good track. This zig-zags uphill. When you leave the top end of the forest the path nearly meets a forest break (with a signpost beyond signalling the way to the Poqueira Hut) before zig zagging back right and upwards to reach the old road. Follow this. If you meet any snow patches after about 30-60 mins you might need to avoid by climbing above them.
Eventually (2hrs from leaving car) you arrive at the Mirador de Trevelez. A bit further beyond and a faint track leaves the road heading rightwards. This is the main south ridge access track. Follow to summit (3hrs from Mirador de Trevelez). Return same way. Return trip between 8 and 10 hours. Total ascent 2200m to 3480m. Ridge is broad and easy but take your time as the altitude will be felt. There may be some easy angled snow patches but I rather suspect most will have gone by now.
The best map by far is the following:
Parque National de Sierra Nevada
Scale 1:40000
www.penebetica.com
ISBN: 84-933461-9-5
This can be obtained from shops in all the towns.
Have fun! If we can help any further way let me know.
Regards
Richard
Spanish Highs Mountain Guides
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Many Thanks for the above post.
I have just returned from Spain. Took the opportunity whilst we were in Granada to Climb the Mulhacen. Wouldn’t have done it without your instructions here!
Great Mountains
Hope to be back.
MW
Hi,
We are 4 guys planning a trip to Mulhacén in June and I am bit confused. You write that you can actually only do the hike in one day from the south but when I look at the description here:
http://www.topwalks.net/en/mulhacen/mulhacen.htm
They are showing a route from the northwest.
How can that be?
Best regards
Henrik Jung Laursen
Hi Henrik,
Depends on the amount of snow. From November to May/June time the route from the NW cannot be done in a day due to snow and ice conditions, avalanche prone slopes. Too far under possibly tricky conditions.
Outside those dates, yes the route from the NW is achievable.
This year. Depends what dates in June and how hot the second half of May is. End June maybe ok. Beginning June possibly not.
Regards
Richard
Hi,
Mr brother and I are planning a day trip up Mulhacén on 23rd or 24th May. We are driving down from Fuengirola. The plan is to follow this route, starting at Capileira.
Do you know of anywhere either in or near to Capileira where we could hire equipment for the day? We only have shorts and t-shirts so we need boots, rucksacks and waterproofs and anything else recommended.
thanks
Hi,
Spanish Highs Mountain Guides of Lanjaron provide gear hire and rental year round. You can find details and prices for all mountain equipment gear hire here.
Hi Richard,
We just wanted to send a massive thank you for all your assistance over our recent ascent of Mulhacen (15/16 May 2010).
All of the detail in your ‘how to climb Mulhacen in a day’ feature on the web site was spot on. The timings were exactly right (the drive to the car park correct to the minute) and every bit of the route was as described. It was great to meet you the day before and get your opinion on our intentions. Getting a crash course in the use of ice axes and crampons over beer and tappas may be unconventional but was brilliant. All courses should be done that way.
The climb was hard but very rewarding. Finding you waiting at the pub with a tray of cold beers on our return topped everything off. Even then you were able to offer advice as to where to get the best tappas in Granada – which we tried and you were right.
All in all I’m not sure we could have done it without your help and the hire of the crampons and ice axes ( hope you recovered the set of crampons one of us left in the refuge), certainly we wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much.
As far as we are concerned we would recommend anyone attempting Mulhacen ( especially middle aged drunks) should get in touch with Spanish Highs first.
Thanks,
Dan, D.G., Spike and Tuck ( The 4 Crows )
Hi, I and my friend are visiting Spain at the end of September 2010. We would like to walk up to Mulhacen.Can anyone let us know more information; i.e. how many hours return from NW side, if there is snow in Sept etc.? We will be staying in Granada, so we would like to know how to get to the starting NW point.
Many Thanks
Ivan
Access Hoya de la Mora via bus from Granada to ski centre. then walk/hitch to Hoya de la Mora. If no snow still on traverse to Mulahcen then maybe 5-6 hours walk up to summit from the Hoya de la Mora. 3 hours to return. The summer gondola lift service will be finished end August, but the bus could still be running from the Hoya de la Mora to los Posiciones, thus saving you about 2 hours of ascent.
[...] Sure. This link tells you how. Let me know how u go on http://www.sierra-nevada-news.com/2010/06/climb-mulhacen-day-summer/ in reply to joshinspain [...]
Hi guys thanks for this advice.
Myself and my bro are doing this exact hike on 21st august. can you tell me what sort of attire we should be wearing for this? Should we have shorts and t shirt or should we be bringing waterproofs and warm clothes as well?
thanks guys
Aengus
Hi Aengus
Take shorts by all means but I personally always walk in lightweight long trousers in summer. The vegetation is very prickly! You should take full mountain gear for the higher parts or in case of bad weather. At nearly 3500m this is a mountain that needs respect even in summer.
You can find a suggested summer gear list at http://www.spanishhighs.co.uk/gear.html
Have fun
Hi guys
Have now done the hike following the directions. Couldn’t see any sign for the Poqueira Hut so missed the firebreak but I reckon on looking back that it would only have saved a few minutes as you cut out a bit of zig zaging. It worked out ok to stick to the road the whole way to Mirador Trevelez.
The whole thing took about 7 hours for us including a break of 1 hour on summit. We kept walking at a good pace though.
Thanks again for the directions they helped a lot.
Aengus
Hi Aengus
Glad you had a good day. I guess when you come out of the upper forest the path does zig back rightwards just before hitting the firebreak. As you say, gets to same place tho´. I will amend the route description to make it clearer.
Thanks
Hi, here is Ivan again. Sorry, for writting you later as we had to re-organize our holiday in Spain a little. We are still planing to walk up to Mulhacen at the end of Sep. Is there still snow at the top? We are planning to do walking from North West side. I have read Lonely Planet and there is written that only one bus a day is running from Granada to ski centre outside the ski season – is it true? Also is the national park shuttle bus running between Hoya de la Mora and Posiciones on 26.-28.Sep? Or are there any guided tours we can attend on 26.; 27. or 28.Sep? What to wear? We will have shorts, T-shirts, woolen jumpers,long pants, goretex shoes and jackets etc. Thanks for advice. Kind Regards
Hi Ivan. No snow at the moment on the route. Yes 1 bus a day. They are running the bus to Los Posiciones at the moment. This will continue until the snow arrives. We have an ascent of Mulhacen 26th and 27th staying at the Poqueira overnight, ascending the west flank and returning down the south ridge. Full clothing appropriate for the mountains required. Today (16th Sept) the temps at 3000m were 5 deg and it was hailing! Have fun!
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your priceless instructions. I wonder how the S route looks like in mid-April in terms of snow conditions?
Regards,
Wiktor
Wiktor,
A lot depends on snowfall the week before but my guess would be that you will hit snow at about the Alta de Chorrillo/Mirador de Trevelez area. From there (2900m) to the summit there will be extensive snow fields wither side of the south ridge but little on the ridge itself.
Best to check back the week before though. We can update you.
Regards
Richard
Thanks, Richard, I would appreciate an update.
Regards,
Wiktor
Hi, Richard, me again,
My plans now got concretised, I wish to be walking up Mulhacen on 13 April. A snow cover estimation for the summit push would be much appreciated.
I intend to stay over at Lanjaron for two nights – 12/13 and 13/14 April to start the trek directly in the morning. Could you please suggest an inexpensive hotel?
Thanks in advance and best regards,
Wiktor