Distance
45 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
2,200 m
Rating
4.8 / 5
743 reviews
Sierra Nevada — Veleta Summit Road.
The road above Granada to the Veleta peak at 3,394 m — the highest paved road in Europe outside the Caucasus. The view from the summit takes in both the Sierra Nevada snowfields and the Mediterranean coast 100 km away. The road through the Pradollano ski resort is open year-round; the summit road is accessible July to October.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance45 km
Days1
Total climb2,200 m
DifficultyChallenging
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The route.
GranadaStart · From the Alhambra city, the Veleta summit road begins at the edge of town on the A-395. Check the summit road status (often gated at 3,000 m) before departure. Fuel up in the city.
Pradollano Ski ResortScenic Point · The Sierra Nevada ski resort at 2,100 m — a reasonable if functional Spanish resort in winter, completely surreal in summer with the same infrastructure surrounded by wildflowers. The road quality improves above here.
Borreguiles High PlateauScenic Point · The road crosses onto the high plateau above 2,800 m. Iberian ibex are commonly seen on the rock faces beside the road at this altitude. The Laguna de las Yeguas is accessible by a short walk.
Alto del VeletaMountain Pass · 3,394 m — the highest paved road in continental Europe. On clear days the view encompasses the Costa Tropical, the Mediterranean, and (in exceptional clarity) the Atlas Mountains of Morocco 300 km south. Snow patches remain year-round in the couloirs below the summit.
Mirador de TrevelezScenic Point · The viewpoint over the Alpujarras — the terraced Moorish villages on the south face of the Sierra Nevada descending toward the sea. This road through the Alpujarras to the coast is an outstanding extension.
Granada — Albaicín ReturnEnd · Return to Granada. The Mirador de San Nicolás in the Albaicín has the definitive view of the Alhambra at sunset — the most appropriate end to a day spent on the mountain above it.
From riders.
743 verified rides logged on this route.
4.8/ 5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
743 verified rides
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