The rest of this article will make reference to our sketch map of the area below. We will try to suggest improvements to the normal routes taken on this peak. By short diversions, a better and more wonderful mountain day will be experienced.

Sketch of Trevenque area. Click to enlarge

The Cuerda del Trevenque

As can be seen, the normal route of ascent from the car park at Collado Sevilla is to follow the wide track (red) eastwards. Nice views are had, but nevertheless the going can be a bit tedious until the final ridge up to the summit is met. True, there are lovely views rightwards into the wastelands called Las Arenales (the Sands), but any view left is blocked by the Cuerda del Trevenue. A much better route is to follow the Cuerda directly.

There is a faint track and the views northwards towards the Cerro Huenes group are great. Even better, one has the magnificent and usually snow covered Sierra Nevada range as a spectacular backdrop to the walk ahead. The range spreads from the Cerro de Caballo right through to the second highest peak, Veleta (3398m). Sure the ridge has a few ups and downs, but the track is relatively easy and no scrambling is involved.  The photo below shows the Cuerda crest. The normal route can be seen lower down on the left hand side.

The Cuerda del Trevenque with access road below left

Trevenque West Ridge

This has been a long term favourite of ours. We have used this as part of our scrambling and introduction to ropework courses. A brilliant way to climb the peak. The lower section can be made as hard or as difficult as wanted. The final holds lead directly to the summit. What could be better? A word of warning though! After the wet winter we have had here in southern Spain, the rock can be somewhat loose. Make sure you have a rope or sufficient experience to deal with this. The ridge can be dangerous for the inexperienced and should not be underestimated.

Ridge climb photos and report at http://www.sierra-nevada-news.com/2010/03/scrambling-and-moving-together-on-trevenque-west-ridge-cumbres-verdes/

At the base of Trevenque west ridge

Trevenque SE Ridge

From the summit at 2079m it’s difficult to find the start point if you’ve never been there before. The natural lie of the land takes you either back to the normal ascent route or down the E ridge. This is steep, loose,  and not recommended. I know this as I’ve tried it! Instead look for a rightwards slanting path heading steeply downhill over loose scree.

The path steepens and crosses an mildly exposed section (interesting in powder snow conditions!) and then becomes unpleasant loose scree for a few hundred metres. There is a good path through all this however. The reward is that you have headed into an area that could only be described as “badlands”. If Clint Eastwood were to ride by on the path below you wouldn’t be surprised. This is the most arid part of the Cumbres Verdes and is reminiscent of the Tabernas desert in Almeria.

The steep initial descent on the Trevenque SE flank

The Dry Valley (Rambla)

At the bottom of the SE ridge proper you will find a track heading right into a dry valley. A few mountain bikers come this way but few walkers are aware of it. The going is easy but is very very arid and dry. Little vegetation grows on the side of these small hills. This fascinating valley leads SW until it reaches a good forest road. This leads either onto Refugio Rosales and then down into the Dilar valley, or  trends back towards a small pass leading to Las Arenales and the normal route back.

Coming down the dry valley. Los Alayos ridge in the distance

The Cumbres Verdes and Trevenque offer great walking and trekking destinations. The start at Collado Sevilla is only 20 minutes from the outskirts of Granada. Well worth a visit. Remember though ……… search out and enjoy those hidden gems!

Excellent photos courtesy of Michael Bodiam. More of his photography work can be seen on his website.

The Peak of Trevenque

This well known summit is one of the most spectacular and dramatic in the Sierra Nevada. The mountain is steep on all sides but there are numerous ways up to it’s majestic summit of 2079m. The peak is very varied with the arid (las Arenas) badlands contrasting with the lush Dilar valley area. All the walks are interesting day excursions of varying lengths from a simple 4 hour to a long 8 hour day. There are scrambling routes available to the more adventurous should they wish.

The Cerro Huenes Group

This lovely group of mountains lies in the north of the area and a great day walk of some 5 hours can link all the major summits, including, Pico de Carne (1809m), Cerro Gordo (1889m) and Cerro Huenes (1802m). Return is made via Fuente Fria and forest and mountain side tracks back to the start point of the bridge at Siete Ojos. All this of course
has the wonderful Sierra Nevada as a backdrop.

Los Alayos de Dilar peaks and ridges

This remote ridge can be accessed from the Dilar valley or indeed Collado Sevilla. Both give exhilerating access to this amazing ridge. The ridge itself can be followed in its entirity by those with a head for heights and loads of surplus energy. Otherwise there is a good path just below the actual ridge crest.

The ridge has many summits but the best is the Corazon de la Sandia (“Heart of the Watermelon”). This peak is 1877m high and gives a sharp exposed scramble to reach its rocky top. This whole
area has thick green forest on one side of the ridge crest and arid badlands on the other. This makes for an interesting day out!

Other worthwhile excursions

The traverse of the sharp peak of Boca de la Pesca is very interesting with great views in all directions and there are numerous routes around Pico de Tesoro (1994m).

A great ski! Conditions were excellent in the main once the initial ice had softened in the hot sun. The long traverse below the Loma de Dilar was hard snow in places, but lower down the snow was still in good nick. A final descent threading our way between shrubs and small trees needed some caution before we reached the collado del Matas Verdes.

This linear excursion is recommended as a day trip provided you have car backup at both ends or a friendly non-skiing driver. We are going to include this route in our ski mountaineering itineraries. Below is a short video of the day.

The normal approach route from Collado Sevilla (1350m) is taken following the well worn trail eastwards. About 1.5hrs is required before you encounter the steeper upper section of the mountain. The ridge can be seen clearly facing you on this approach.

The ridge starts just up from the prominent pinnacle on Trevenque’s west ridge (above the small cave). Here a variety of lines may be taken depending on your skill or nerve!

Above a grassy platform the ridge narrows, twists and turns. The exposure grows at times but belays can be taken at will. The final chimney is the crux.

A quick thrutch up the narrowing and loose chimney brings one out on small ledges just below the summit. A fine way to the top! The route

Climbers: Bob Leitch, Richard Jarvis, Brian Jarvis. Photos: Jane Fields

We followed the easy track round the ridgeline, then left our Irish stalwart, Rory O’Neill, to break trail up the steepening ridge. As we encountered the main rocks we swapped snowshoes for crampons and ice axe. The snow was not consolidated and care was needed on the ascent up the centre of the main face (the normal route). Crampons continually balled up with the soft snow.

We reached the sharp summit cone 3 hours after starting, a good time for the conditions. There were clear and fantastic views back towards Granada and across to the Alayos de Dilar. Behind us the Sierra Nevada made a dramatic backgound with huge lenticular clouds indicating high windspeeds.

A short break and we headed downhill reversing our outward track. Care was needed over some short sections but we reached the dry river valley of “Las Arenas” (renamed “Las Blancas” for the day). Here we put on our snowshoes for the final descent back to the waiting car at Cortijo Sevilla.

A good day. Recommended. Trevenque is special at any time of year, but in my opinion is at its most magic under deep snow. It might not be the highest, or the hardest, but it has a special quality. You always savour the moment when you tread on it’s fine and pointed summit.

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.

This is marvellous scenery just to the south east of Granada. Walking in the Cumbres Verdes is varied, interesting and full of changing landscapes. What is even better is that they are situated just 20 minutes from the main Granada ring road.

A few days ago we dropped some clients off for a self guided day trip around the marvellous peak of Trevenque and the dramatic Alayos de Dilar ridge. The sun had just risen and we decided to take in the Peak of the Fishes Mouth. Access is very easy from the main car park for Trevenque at the Collado Sevilla. A pleasant stroll along an interesting path over the Cerro de las Pipas follows. Then its steeply up a zig zag track to the double summited top (the fishes mouth). It is an easy hour from bottom to top, but what a viewpoint!

The peaks of the Cumbres Verdes stretch from the NE to the S covering the Cerro Huenes group, Trevenque and the Alayos de Dilar peaks. To the south, crags fall vertically down into the deep drop of the Dilar valley. Westwards the town of Dilar nestles in the shadows and further still the vegas and olive groves of Granada Province are prominent.

We made the return the same way as that ascended, but various options exist for round trips although the level of exertion involved will rise considerably!

In reality this little known peak of 1877m height is a gem. It stands at the western end of the Alayos de Dilar ridge on the southern side of the Dilar valley, opposite the well known and much frequented peak of Trevenque.

Access

Is easiest from the town of Dilar, only 15 minutes drive from the main Granada to Motril motorway. Head along the dirt track eastwards running alongside the Dilar river. Park at the end of the track.

Another option is to park as for Trevenque at Collado Sevilla and traverse into the Dilar valley towards the Toma del Canal. This gives access to the Collado del Pino and the eastern end of the Alayos ridge.

Water must be carried as once you have left the Dilar valley there is none. The whole area is very arid and like a scene from the wild west.

Routes

From the Dilar valley options exist southwards to the peak via the dry barranco of the Rambla de Rio Seco or via a path up Los Atalayones de Dilar. Both involve about 850m ascent to reach the rocky summit.

Another way is to traverse tha Alayos ridge itself. Reach the Toma de Canal via the Collado de Sevilla or the Dilar trailhead, climb up to the Collado del Pino and then head westwards back along the ridge. You can make it as hard or as easy as you wish. Either follow the main ridge crest or take the faint path on the southern side.

In a rare hard winter at this height a good snow ascent can be made direct from the Rio Dilar up the Barranco de Juana Benitez. Grade 1 snow climb with harder sections available towards the top if desired.

The summit

The summit is distinctive as it is one of the few (possibly only?) summit in the Sierra Nevada where hands and scrambling ability are needed to attain the top. The easiest route is via the neck, from the main ridgeline direct to the summit. Other ways for the adventurous exist but there is steep and loose ground around.

Guided Tours

Spanish Highs Mountain Guides now run day walking tours either up Corazon de la Sandia (5hrs) or along the entire Los Alayos ridge, taking in the main peaks. Contact them for availability.