Multi-Day Ascent to Pico Veleta with Mountain Refuge Stay

Context Pico Veleta, at 3,398 meters, is the second-highest peak in the Sierra Nevada range and the fourth highest in the Iberian Peninsula. Located within a national park designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it offers a high-mountain environment with well-marked trails and access via minibus to the Posiciones del Veleta. The route from Hoya de la Mora climbs 900 meters over 12 kilometers, crossing alpine zones and glacial terrain.

The Experience Over two days, you'll ascend with a guide from Hoya de la Mora or Posiciones del Veleta to a mountain refuge, where you’ll spend the night with full board. At dawn, you’ll begin the final stretch to the summit, facing cold winds and pure high-altitude air. From the peak, panoramic views stretch across the Mulhacén, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Moroccan Rif Mountains, while the wind carries the scent of thyme and silence is broken only by its soft whisper.

For Whom This activity is suitable for hikers with good physical fitness and basic mountain hiking experience seeking a multi-day alpine challenge. It is not recommended for those without prior experience, with health concerns, or fear of high altitude and intense cold.

Local Context The Sierra Nevada is a protected natural area with an active mountain community that maintains refuges and trails. Local shepherds practice transhumance in nearby valleys, preserving an ancestral tradition that connects them deeply with the alpine landscape you’ll traverse.