Mountaineering Courses & Climbing, Sierra Nevada, Spain

Mountaineering Activities in the Sierra Nevada

Exciting, adreneline filled mountain activities throughout the year! The Sierra Nevada is almost perfect for learning and taking part in mountaineering activities. High altitude (27 peaks over 3000m) and snowsure (normally snow covered from November until May), the mountains provide a reliable winter destination.

We offer a variety of courses and multi day tours designed to prepare you for your alpine adventures. Also Andalucia is a fantastic destination for Via Ferrata and Scrambling activities.

Quick links to our Mountaineering activities

Winter Mountaineering Courses

Available from December to May inclusive. All of the following base courses can be extended by additional days putting into practice the things learnt

Winter Skills 2 days

These mountains are ideal with good snow lasting well into June. You will learn to travel and progress safely through the winter mountains learning the basics of ice axe, crampons, avalanche awareness and safety techniques.

Alpine Introduction 4 days

The essentials for safe travel on snow and glacial terrain including: crampon and ice axe techniques; glacier travel, crevasse rescue, bivouacs, snowholes and basic navigation. To tackle rocky ridges you will learn fixed belay and alpine style running belay techniques. Simple snow gullies and faces will climbed. All in superb mountain settings!

High Altitude Expedition Preparation Course

A 5 day course (3 nights out in the Sierra Nevada). If you are heading for the Greater Ranges and want to pack in a short, intensive course prior to departure then you should check out our 2 day Expedition Preparation Course. Perfect when time is short before your trip.

Winter Mountain Ascents

The winter peaks can generally be ascended by either 1 but more likely 2 day trips. Overnight can be in guarded, unguarded refuges. You may combine trips into a weeks walking.

The ability to use crampons and ice axe is essential. Rope may be required for some ascents. Learn the basics on a winter skills mountaineering course. Some ascents will require overnight bivvy in unguarded mountain refuges.

Some popular peaks include:

• Veleta and Cerro de los Machos
• Tajos de la Virgen traverse including Pico de Cartujo
• Alcazaba (3371 m) from Trevelez
• Puntal de la Caldera (3225 m)
• Cerrillo Redondo (2909 m) & Tajos de los Machos (3085m) from Puente Palo
• Cerro de Caballo (3009 m) from near Lanjaron

Intermediate Winter Climber

The Barranco del Alhori winter mountaineering area is relatively unknown outside of Andalucia, yet local climbers realise the potential in this particular area of the Sierra Nevada. It is snow-sure from December until end of April with plenty of good mountainerering routes available.

Suitable for those who have already acquired basic winter mountaineering skills and wish to progress to experience winter climbing routes

Via Ferratas in Andalucia

Recently developed Via Ferrata areas are springing up in Andalucia. They provide great winter sport, unlike many alpine equivalents. Stunning scenery and locations including Los Vados, Moclin, Ronda area.

• Via Ferrata Los Vados, Costa Tropical near Motril. Amazing ascent of some 300m+ up a spectacular rock wall in a gorge. For those that have vertigo, stay at home!
• Via Ferrata Moclin. Located at Tajo de Sopalmo, 30 minutes from Granada. An interesting route with a good mix of bridges and traverses. Total length 480m
• Via Ferratas in Andalucia, based near Ronda. The Via Ferrata capital of Andalucia. Loads of fun for all

Rock Climbing

Beginner rock and ropework courses near Granada and in the Costa del Sol

We offer itineraries to fit every wish and budget; whether you want a simple one-off adrenalin fuelled experience of climbing tall rock faces, an introductory course to teach you the basic skills and safety aspects of the sport, or a few days out with an experienced guide to push your grades by top roping, improve your skills, and get started at lead climbing.

• Rock Climbing in Granada province - guided rock climbing for the beginner or intermediate climber on quiet crags
• Ropework Courses for beginners who wish to get into high level scrambling or rock climbing
• Rock Climbing Costa del Sol - fun, sun and adrenaline filled action for beginners and intermediates on the Costa del Sol

Summer Rock Climbing in the Sierra Nevada

Once we reach the end of June, it is far too hot on the lower hills to offer any rock climbing routes. So we have sourced some of the best high mountain rock climbing routes on Veleta to be allow us to offer climbing days year round.

Suggested Routes

• "El Vuelo del Aguila", 310m (D+, V). 4 to 6 hours
• "Paco Pepe", 220m (IV+). 3 to 5 hours
• "Silvia", 170m (V). 3 to 5 hours
• A mixed route taking in both "Paco Pepe" and "Silvia" ,200m (V). 3 to 5 hours
• "Vía del Jota", 160m (V+, A1). 4 to 6 hours
• Superb scrambling on the Campanitas ridge followed by an exit to the summit via "Via Trompeta", 250m 4. 5 hours

Patagonian Icecap

Expeditions to the largest piece of ice outside the poles! We have being visiting the glaciers and icefields of Patagonia's magnificent Los Glacieres National Park region since 2006. The area not only offers superb trekking, but the experience of a lifetime on the great Southern Patagonian Icecap. Not be missed!

• Patagonia Icefield Expeditions - Unique chance to experience the incredible and unique Southern Patagonian Icecap!
• Ascent of Gorra Blanca - Your chance to climb a magnificent Patagonian mountain! Gorra Blanca 2907m is one of the most beautiful and complete mountain expeditions in the area
• 2 weeks Trekking and Expedition - including Southern Patagonian Icecap, guided multi day treks, transfers and accommodation

A mountaineering traverse of the Raspones ridge in the Sierra Nevada

A recent report on a rare mountaineering traverse of the Raspones de Rio Seco in Spains Sierra Nevada by Gary Brown and his friends of the “Geezers of Croydon” MC. No idea if any Brit/Irish has done this before. Maybe a first British/Irish winter ascent?...

Climbing the Canuto Norte del Veleta, Sierra Nevada

Report and video of climbing the Canuto Norte de Veleta, one of the classic mountaineering routes (AD) in the Sierra Nevada. Grade - Winter – AD (50º) (AD- in good conditions with footsteps to follow!). Access for the next few routes all leave the Hoya de la Mora and ascend the broad NNW slopes of Veleta...

Winter mountaineering on the pinnacles of Los Raspones, Sierra Nevada

A report of a superb winter mountaineering route in Spain’s Sierra Nevada along the long alpine ridge of Los Raspones, graded AD, accessible from Capileira. The route is not done often, even by the spanish, so decided it was high time to go and “take a look”...