Trevenque

[fell walker]

Hello again,
Would you be able to help me with this problem?
I would like to hike to Trevenque from the Collado Sevilla car park and via Cuerda del Trevenque; West Ridge and then return via Collado del Tejo o de Martin.
I know it sounds a bit lame, but my problem is getting out of Granada!
I think I have to go via Fuente del Hervidero along the Carretra de las Cumbres Verdes, but it is getting out the City that is proving hard for me just using Google Earth and not having local knowledge.
I will be staying in central Granada, any guidance on what road numbers to look out for would be a big help.
Also, do I need a 4x4 or can a regular car make the trip?
Thanks for your help.

[elperronegro]

Come out of the city and pick up the main Sierra Nevada motorway heading east. 2 exits before you go through the tunnel (and Alhambra/Cenes de la Vega/Sierra Nevada) take the La Zubia exit.

Follow the road and signs to La Zubia. Go uphill though the town until you come to a roundabout above the main shopping areas etc. Go right round the roundabout and head back downhill (the way you have come) for 30m.

Take the right turn signed "Cumbres Verdes" (difficult to see). Drive 50m turn right. Then go up and out of La Zubia until you come to the end of the tarmac/concrete. Take the rough forest drive ahead and half left.

Follow this until you come to Collado de Sevilla and the obvious car park. A regular car could make it with care (the last time I was there, some 3 months ago).

Sorry no idea on road numbers but the above directions should work.

[fell walker]

Fantastic, that's crystal clear.
Thanks for your help.

[Tuppers]

Not having done any serious hill walking in February and March, I wanted to get out and do a good leg and lung-stretcher before returning to the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Trevenque had been mentioned to me in the past by Spanish Highs and it sounded just what I was looking for.
Trevenque is located approximately 11 kms to the west north-west of Veleta and at 2,083m, it is significantly lower. It is however higher than the peaks which surround it and is an impressive looking lump of rock when approached from the west.
I parked the car at the Collada de Sevilla having followed the excellent directions given in this thread. The un-surfaced section of the access road is slightly rutted in places but with care, it can easily be negotiated without a 4x4 vehicle. Heading away from the car park, the signed path took me around to the south side of the ridge but I wanted to walk along the ridge itself. Just before an information board there is a feint path on the left which cuts across and then climbs to the ridge line. An alternative is to continue on the marked track which contours eastwards below the ridge and provides a more gentle ascent to the foot of the final climb to the summit.
The ridge, or Cuerda del Trevenque as it is shown on the map, is an interesting roller coaster of limestone peaks and the well-worn path is easy to follow. In some places it descends to meet the lower track and then climbs away again. After approximately 3kms, the path rises steeply up a loose, stony ridge and the lower track swings away to the south-east. The final ascent to the summit takes you through some interesting rock formations and the summit itself comprises a series of individual ‘tors’, all of which are worth exploring as each gives a different perspective of the true summit. The backdrop of the snow-covered Sierra Nevada (albeit with less snow than usual) was stunning and the 360 degree panorama is well-worth the effort required to get up there.
The descent down the east side is initially on steep and very loose limestone gravel. Care is needed and a pair of walking poles is recommended. At the Collado de Martin there is the option of turning south-west and returning to the car park via the dry river bed of the Canal de Espartera but I wanted to visit the botanical gardens shown on the map to the north-east of Trevenque. The forest road, which initially heads north, is in very good condition and passes through lovely pine forest which, I am pleased to report, appears to be free of the pine processionary caterpillar which is currently devastating forests to the east. Good news for dog walkers!
The botanical gardens were open when I got there but they have quite limited opening times and if planning a visit, I would suggest checking by telephone first.
From the gardens I continued west along the 6km of forest road to arrive back at the car park. With legs and lungs duly exercised, it was time for some throat lotion and the restaurant bar at the Cortijo del Hervidero obliged with a lovely cold pint of it.
This is a short video of the walk.

[elperronegro]

Great report and video Tuppers!