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Access By Car From the main Granada ring road (Circunvalación) follow the well signposted mountain road to Sierra Nevada (A-395). This leads to the main ski resort at Pradollano. At km30 and just before entering the resort turn left following signs to Hoya de la Mora and Albergues de Granada. At km35 and at 2500m altitude, the road ends. There are car parks on either side of the road. This is the Hoya de la Mora.

Access The village of Nigüelas (925m) lies just off the main A-44 motorway between Granada and Motril. A series of dirt tracks leads above the village which is especially useful for access to the western Sierra Nevada. Cortijos de Echevarria (4WD!) Make your way through the village and cross the river. Turn L. The rough track leads up the valley with impressive rock scenery for 2km before crossing a ford.

Approaches From the Refugio Poqueira - up the Rio Mulhacén to the Collado de Ciervo. Down towards the peak of Juego de Bolos, west on a good path under the north face to the start of the route (3hrs) Espolón de la Caldera Grade AD 1st Ascent - 24th December 1972 Fernandez/Huertas The Espolón de la Caldera is in fact the NW ridge of the Puntal de la Caldera, found just to the west of Mulhacén’s, Collado de Ciervo.

When to come to the Sierra Nevada? The first snows fall in November but realistically mountaineering doesnt get going until early December. The season last well into May. The major snows fall in November/December and March/April. January and February have little preciptiation normally, just 2 or 3 bad days a month. Best ice is found, not unsurprisingly, in January, February and March. With the advent of spring in early April, warmer temperatures and more daylight mean that snowshoes are often needed in the afternoons.

Not too much water ice climbing as you might expect in this part of Spain. There are some icefalls on the NE face of Alcazaba (1hr approach from Siete Lagunas) usually in condition and some higher streams and barrancos on the northern side form good ice. The nearest place to do some ice climbing is at the Hoya de la Mora above the ski centre. You have a 25m walk to the fall which is located below and east of the green military bunkhouse.

Access Locations: (1) Hoya de la Mora (2500m). Follow the ski road from Granada to the ski town. Follow the signs left for “Veleta” above the town and reach a car park at the road end. Good quick access for Veleta, Los Machos and Catujo sectors. Cariguela hut is 3hrs from here. (2) Cortijuela (1700m). Follow the road through La Zubia towards the Cumbres Verdes. Continue on past Fuente del Hervidero to the Cortijuela.

Refuges, huts and bivouac sites in the Sierra Nevada MANNED: Poqueira Hut (2500m). Guarded Hut - 87 beds. Tel:958343349. V.good. Just SE Rio Mulhacen. Approach from Capileira or Hoya de la Mora. Postero Alto (2000m). Guarded Hut - winter quarters. Tel:958760106. Firebreak main route Picon de Jeres above Jerez. GOOD CONDITION: Cariguela (3200m). Sleeps12. Hut, wooden bunks. Between Veleta and Tajos de la Virgen. 3hrs from Hoya de la Mora.