Google Earth flyover of route

Aneto, at 3404m may well be the highest point in the Pyrenees but it is not the highest point on the Spanish peninsula. That honour goes to Mulhacén, 3479m, in the Sierra Nevada, within sight of Granada. It is said to be the last resting place of the penultimate Moorish king of Spain, Mulay Hasan. Unlike its Pyrenean rival however, Mulhacén is not a great challenge to climb in summer. From the Alpujarras, to the south it looks like a big potato: locally it is known as the “Cerro”, the hill.

In winter it is a bit more of an effort. I went with a Balbino from Al Andalus Activa and a group of locals. Saturday from Capileira to the Refugio Poqueira. Then on Sunday up to the summit, back to the refuge for lunch before descending to Capileira. The summit itself is a bit ordinary, but the views on the way up are spectacular.

Statistics: 31km, 2400m of climbing. Wikiloc track