Overnight in incredibly wild and natural mountain lakeside locations. Ideal trek for hikers and trekkers wanting to "get away from it all"!
Our spanish 3 peak "wild camping" challenge will consist of summiting Alcazaba 3,371m, Veleta 3,394m and finally Spain's highest - Mulhacén 3,482m. The mountain range is the second highest in Europe after the Alps and includes 15 peaks higher than 3,000m.
East ridge of Mulhacén, Alcazaba in the background
We introduced the concept of the "Los Tres Picos" trek to foreign visitors way back in 2007. The original idea was to utilise the Refugio Poqueira as a comfortable base from which to cover the 3 highest peaks in 3 days. Since then others have copied the idea and "Los Tres Picos" has become much more well known.
So now let's take that concept further and wild camp in these high mountains, thus enjoying the magnificence of the natural surroundings that they offer to the full. We utilise lightweight camping methods to ensure that weight is kept to a bare minimum. This trek can be done from May to November inclusive, but the summer months of June, July, August and September offer stable weather and lightest backpacking weights.
Day 1 - Siete Lagunas
We ascend from a high trailhead abobve the Alpujarras village of Capileira. Through pine forests and onto open country above. The challenge for the forthcoming days in obvious as we get great views to Mulhacen and Veleta. At the 3000m level we take a traverse path round the eastern flanks of Mulhacen to arrive at the delightful valley of Siete Lagunas. Filled with cold clear mountain lakes and streams this is an idilliac location for the first nights stay.
Day 2 - Alcazaba and Mulhacen
We ascend a steep rocky couloir that brings us to the summit of Alcazaba. The magnificence of the north faces of the "big 3" are well seen from this point. Then its a return to the SE to the base of Mulhacen's E ridge which we use to ascend to the highest point in mainland Spain, and the highest peak outside the Alps in western europe. From here we drop down to camp by the tranquil lakes of the upper Rio Seco valley.
Day 3 - To Veleta and back!
Today we have an easy start to climb the last of "Los Tres Picos", Veleta. Then it's a hard afternoon downhill walk over Loma Pua and Pico de Sabinar to the village at Capileira.
elevation profile tres picos wild camping
Cost
You can put together your own package for this trip from the prices below.
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Guiding cost from €65 per person per day (group of 4). See full Price range
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Refuge costs - €17 per person per night (€9 with Alpine Club Cards)
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Valley accommodation - €25 per person per night in 3* hotel in Lanjaron (2 sharing)
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Airport transfers - for a car with up to 4 passengers (each way), Malaga airport €95 (1.5hrs), Granada airport €60 (50 mins), Almeria airport €125 (2hrs)
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Food - we can also supply your lightweight mountain food requirement. Further details.