We recently revisited this old favorite as part of a search to see the rare Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture). It is a simple, pleasant walk along a gentle ridgeline with superlative views towards the northern faces of the Sierra Nevada including the big 3, namely Mulhacén, Veleta and Alcazaba.
Approach is via Guejar Sierra, a town just 20 minutes on good road east of Granada city in Andalucia. In winter if snow doesn't allow you to reach the ridge of Loma de Papeles in the car, we suggest you park as far as you can get up to the ridge and enjoy the extra walk that ensues.
Access to the Refugio Peña Partida
Walking along the Loma de los Cuartos
This is a 4WD track but could be done in a normal saloon as the track is not too rough. 0.5km east of Güéjar-Sierra turn L on a tarmac road. After a further 2km the road forks. Take the R which drops down and crosses the Rio Maitena (km 3) Once over the river the road, now a wide track zig zags up the Loma de la Cuna de los Cuartos.
At 1930m the ridgeline is reached. There are superlative views of the north faces of Mulhacén, Alcazaba and Veleta at this point. The now level road continues eastwards for 2.5km to a chain across the road. This is as far as you can currently go.
The refuge is a further 5.25km walk eastwards either along the road or more preferably along the ridge crest giving expansive views in both directions (450m, 2hrs). See 1st Wikilog map below.
An alternative approach to the Refugio Peña Partida for those who do not have access to 4WD vehicles is to follow the directions for reaching the Refugio La Cucharacha. Just before arriving at the Cucharacha turn L and follow the track up onto a small plateau. A well marked path goes L gradually rising into the bed of the Rio Vadillo. Crossing the river, the path zig zags steeply up to the refuge (1250m, 5hrs).
The view south from Loma de los Cuartos
The Refugio Peña Partida
Refugio Peña Partida
Hidden in some rocks just south of the main ridgeline the refuge is a pleasant surprise. It is in good condition, windows and doors intact and is quite clean and tidy inside (N.B please leave this way too).
A good spot to spend the night especially in winter when you can use the hut to exploit the considerable ski touring available in the vicinity. It has space for about 12 to 15 people in 3 small rooms.
Additional walk to the valley of Lavaderos de la Reina
A very easy walk traversing NE from the Peña Partida along the Sulayr GR240 path until it overlooks the beautiful valley of Lavederos de la Reina. This is at it's best in the spring when hundreds of small rivers, brooks, waterfalls and cascades fill the valley bottom. It is an idyllic spot to while away an hour in the rich grasses.
We were then in September at the end of a long dry summer but still we had running water close by. From here options exist for longer walks either up the mountains to Picon de Jerez, Puntal de los Cuartos or to Tajos Negros de Cobatillas. Also possible is to extend the walk along the Sulayr GR240 to the Postero Alto refuge above Jerez de Marsquesado.