There are few guidebooks that describe the ascent of this 1500m sprawling peak. As usual the trick is to find the correct start point. We failed badly at this, partly the result of incorrect guidebook advice and partly due to our lack of a decent map. The main Sierra Nevada map does not stretch this far west.

After 30 minutes driving aimlessly up and down various dirt tracks we found the key to a direct ascent from Dilar. By car take the road from the town center towards the “Ermita Nuestra Señora de las Nieves“. This lies on a small shelf to the SE of the town. The tarmas road passes left of the Ermita and then makes a big turn to the right. Follow this for about 1km or so until you meet a farm track on the right and a wooden signpost on the left, opposite. One of the signs says “Vda de Manar”. Across the path is a large boulder, presumably to stop anybody taking a car further!

Leave the car here and follow the track due south across farmland and young olive plantations. You will see the way forward on the forested hillside opposite. After 20 minutes the ground steepens and you must prepare for half an hours toil. The tracks heads directly uphill before trending right to a wide col. Here the main summit ridge can be seen. The area here is part woodland, part open terrain. Lovely walking of a type rarely seen in the Sierra Nevada.

Ahead lies another Ermita with a sign. Follow this but bear left heading east before the steepening to the Ermita on a good track. This track borders the steeper, rougher summit area. After another 15 minutes you will meet a track heading back towards the prominent summit. Very soon you will be standing beside the summit cairn at 1519m, after a short scramble up the rocky cone.

Great views in all directions but especially the Cumbres Verdes and Los Alayos ridge look stunning. The main ridge of the Silleta can be followed eastwards over other tops very easily for a longer day. We headed east and then north of the summit down a loose rocky barranco, towards the Ermita.

Once back at the wide col it took no more than 45 minutes to return to the car. A delightful walk. 600m of ascent giving 3.5 hours walking. Perfect for a half day. 5 minutes after arriving back at the car the area was hit by a heavy thunderstorm. Lucky eh?