Day Walking Tours to mountain lakes, Sierra Nevada, Spain

Summer Hiking trips to visit beautiful lakes in the mountains

Trekking to the high mountain lakes
Trekking to the high mountain lakes

The hidden gems of the Sierra Nevada!

Much of the walking is above 3000m on rough but well tracked paths. Some steep sections are met but generally the trekking is relaxed and easy. We allow plenty of opportunity to relax by the lakes. 3 of our 4 walks start and end at the ski area above Granada. Pick up and drop off either in Lanjaron or Granada (Alhambra Palace area).

We have 4 tours of different grades and difficulty so that families as well as hardened trekking types can visit these lovely lakes.

Easy access to 3 walks via the ski area (chair lifts or Hoya de la Mora autobus or high trailhead) above Granada.

Choose From The Following Graded Walks:

1 x Leisurely1 x Moderate2 x Tough

What do these mean?

When can we do these hikes?

The walks can only be done when the snow has retreated and almost disappeared. That generally means from late May to October, inclusive each year, but you should check with us first to ensure we are able to run the trip.

Between June and October the Sierra Nevada provides some superb locations for high altitude trekking and for wild camping. Water is plentiful thanks to the numerous rivers, streams and lakes. They are beautiful and peaceful situations to spend the night. Locations: Lavaderos de la Reina, Laguna de Calderetas, upper Rio Lanjaron valley.

Escape the heat and walk to high mountain lakes on the northern flanks or secret places of the Sierra Nevada

For many local people the mountain lakes of the upper Lanjaron valley is the "Shangri-La", a mystical place that provides year round water to the lower levels of the Alpujarras. It is almost a pilgrimage for them. Our walks are designed to take in the best these mountain lakes have to offer.

hiking mountain lakes video

The Hikes to the Mountain Lakes

Circular Tour Carihuela, Lagunillas, Yeguas

Circular walk visting Embalse de Las Yeguas (2900m), Lagunillas de la Virgen (2960m), Collado de Carihuela, optional ascent of Veleta (3394m).

In the summer months ski lift access can be used to gain height and avoid the summer heat. The lift system can take us to 2900m where its a simple stroll to the dramatic viewpoint called "Posiciones". Easy walking leads round the SW side of Veleta to the Col de Carihuela. An optional ascent of Veleta is possible from here.

Then it's steeply down the path to the small lakes called collectively, "Lagunillas". This is a superb spot for lunch and to sit amid all the splendour and beauty. Then down throught he ski area of Borreguiles to the car/ski lift down.

Lots of options. Ideal for a family hike from the ski area.

Lagunillas
Leisurely Linear walk
7km4hrs
140m530m
Map of easy summer walk in the Sierra Nevada

Refugio Elorrieta and Lagunillas

In the summer months ski lift access can be used to gain height and avoid the summer heat. The lift system can take us to 2900m where its a simple stroll to the dramatic viewpoint called "Posiciones". Easy walking leads round the SW side of Veleta to the Col de Carihuela. An optional ascent of Veleta is possible from here.

Then it's steeply down the path to the small lakes called collectively, "Lagunillas". This is a superb spot for lunch and to sit amid all the splendour and beauty. We then walk up to the old, partly ruined Elorietta hut. The views of the upper Lanjaron valley from here are stunning!

Return same way to Lagunillas and then down through the ski area to the car.

Refugio Elorrieta
Moderate Linear walk
11km6hrs
375m760m
Map showing route to Refugio Elorrieta

Lagunas Galbata and Larga - secluded northern lakes

This is a long challenging trail along the northern flanks of the Sierra Nevada visiting some spectacular and rarely visited situations.

We use the summer bus to access Posiciones at 2900m, then drop steeply into the Coral de Veleta and traverse the valley before rising in a series of steep zig-zags to the col de Veta Grande.

Narrow paths lead to the secluded lakes of Laguna Galbata and Laguna Larga. Then up to the Col de Ciervo and back on good tracks to the start via Col de Carihuela passing Laguna Rio Seco and Laguna Aguas Verdes en route.

A long, tough but thoroughly rewarding route!

Northern Lakes
Tough Circular walk
15km8hrs
925m925m
Map of route across Northern side of Sierra Nevada

Lakes of the Lanjarón Valley

Access is from Lanjaron. We take 4WD transport to Mirador de Rinconada above Niguelas and initially walk up to the lake at Cerro de Caballo. From the Cerro de Caballo refugio by the Laguna de Caballo we head north along the "Verada Cortada", passing the Laguna Cuadrada before reaching the Laguna de Lanjaron.

Then its back down the valley or optional extension over the ridges back to the car. Also visits Laguna de Caballo(2850m), Laguna Cuadrada (2930m), Laguna Charca Pala (2950m), Laguna de Lanjaron (2980m).

A tough one, maybe better utilised as a 2 day wild camping trek.

Lanjaron Valley
Very Tough Circular walk
20km9hrs
1309m1309m
Map of the walking hiking route in the Lanjaron valley

Dates & Prices

When?

Prices

Group size (per booking): (prices are per person per day)

Definition of "Group" - if you are booking a trip for 2 persons the 2 person rate applies, 3 persons - 3 person rate etc (not dependent on eventual total group size!).

Price includes:

Larger groups - discounts apply. Enquire via email or contact form

Transport (effective for all bookings after 1st July 2022)

The guiding price above does not include transport. Due to rising energy and fuel prices we do not want to be constantly changing guiding prices to reflect transport costs. We want to be honest and open about our price structure.

Clients have two options:

NO COST OPTION - Pick up/drop off our guide in Lanjaron or a venue to be agreed. Use your own transport to and from the start/end of activity.

COST OF FUEL OPTION - Our guide will drive you to/from start/end of activity in one our own vehicles. Applicable costs are:

N.B For destinations not listed above we can easily work out a fuel cost