Guided Scrambling Tours, Sierra Nevada & Andalucia, Spain
Our "Scrambles in Andalucia" offer some great experiences in wild surroundings
Andalucia province has a wealth of untapped scrambling potential. We shall show you some of the best there is. Many of the routes have been developed by ourselves over the years.
Instruction will be given where necessary in the basic use of rope and gear for protection and safety. Guests should have a good head for heights and have some experience of hillwalking in the UK or Europe. Grades 1, 2, 3 and 3S can be undertaken (see explanation below).
Route philosophy - we are looking for free movement on steep and rocky terrain, involving exposure and constant risk assessment of when/if to utilise a rope for security.
N.B we can't run low level scrambling trips during July and August when it is far too hot. At that time we can only operate above 2500m on our Sierra Nevada high mountain routes (see below).
Day scrambles in outlying areas
Penon de la Mata. Grade 2/3 (S) depending on route taken. Easy approach gives maximum time scrambling on perfect limestone. We have found and developed some long routes (200-300m) on this quiet peak with excellent views south to the Sierra Nevada. Excellent rock.
Report and photos from NE flank
Report and photos from west ridge
N.B The video below includes helmetcam shots that exaggerate the steepness of the terrain!
Sierra de Huetor. Since 2002 we have been instrumental in developing a series of rocky scrambles on perfect limestone in this overlooked area (Sept to June incl). Grades range from 1 to 3.
Lecrin Valley. Low peaks but tehre are a couple that offer fantastic scrambling opportunities on perfect rock. Great instructional areas exist here for all (Sept to June incl). Grades 1 to 3S
Alcazaba - "the Fortress". Requires a 2 day day trip but the NW Espolon makes a fantastic alpine ascent (Grade 3S). Also easier routes exist on the Gran Vasar and the northern crags of this majestic peak, including a very sneaky shortcut through cliffs on the northern side that saves about 2 hrs on "Los Tres Miles Ruta Integral" (June to Oct incl).
Trevenque. An old favourite has been affected by quite a lot of rock slides in the past few years. Nevertheless we have developed alternatives that give quality low altitude adventures (Sept to June incl). Grade 2
Sierra Nevada high mountain routes
Tajos de la Virgen ridge. Grade 1 with a couple of exposed sections. Long "alpine" type ridge with extensive views. We have harder options available on this route (June to Oct incl).
Tozal del Cartujo - NW ridge. Great situations and not far from the Sierra Nevada ski station - Grade 3S depending on options taken. Great way to the summit of a magnificent peak (June to Oct incl).
Raspones de Rio Seco ridge traverse. Probably the best ridge traverse in Spain. We were the first foreigners to exploit this magnificent ridge. A superb route!
Puntal de la Caldera. We have two routes on Puntal de la Caldera. The full east to west traverse is Grade 2 . Our latest addition is the NW ridge. Incredible high altitude mountain route leading to this fine and neglected summit (June to Oct incl). Grade 3S
More Videos
Grades
Grade 1 No specialist mountaineering skills. Technically easy and can usually be done without a rope.
Grade 2 More serious. Maybe need simple technical skills and rope.
Grade 3 Like grade 2, with simple pitches of rock climbing. More technical ropework and protection required.
3(S) serious 3s. Some sections of mod/diff rock climbing
Latest Reports
Regular updates and all the latest news, reports and information from Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains
The west ridge of the Peñón de la Mata, Andalucía
Describes an wonderful mountain day scrambling and climbing on the west ridge of the Peñón de la Mata in the Sierra de Huetor, N of Granada and the more popular Sierra Nevada.
The start. Options left, right or the centre gully
We had seen this ridge on our last visit to the Peñón de la Mata when ...
Rock Scrambling on the Peñon de la Mata, Sierra de Huetor, Andalucía
Sometimes, quite by chance one comes across a gem. I had been on the summit of the Peñon de la Mata (1669m) before, but had failed to recognise the scrambling possibilities. This time there was to be no mistake.
The 5 of us parked as close to the peak as we could get, which left us an easy 45 min...
Is the Raspones the best ridge scramble in Spain?
The jagged ridge of the Raspones provides a high class scramble and mountaineering route to the main ridge line of the Sierra Nevada. It is not done very often, so we decided to check it out.
The Raspones emerges from the upper reaches of the Poqueira gorge, just west of the Rio Seco. It is a lon...
What? Winter mountaineering on the longest day in southern Spain
Sometimes you need to do a bit of lateral thinking for your mountain adventures. We might be only two hours from the sun drenched beaches of the Costa del Sol, but there is still some good mountaineering sport to be found. An early alpine start is the chief requirement. The snows are still quite ...
Ruta Angosturas Andalucia Gorge Scramble in Impressive Scenery
Just a kilometre away from the plastic greenhouses and rubbish tips that makes up lower Albuñol in Andalucia, lies the start of a dramatic and entertaining gorge walk cum scramble, leading to the prehistoric settlement called Cueva de Los Murciélagos (literally “Bats’ Cave”). Kiersten, myself, an...
The highest mountains are not necessarily always the best
The highest mountains sometimes fail to live up to their status, whilst some relatively unknown peaks turn out to be lesser in height only. Here in southern Spain’s Alpujarras, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, we have for some years now been enjoying the delights of an fascinating little pe...
The joys of moving together on a rope alpine-style
That grey area between scrambling and rock climbing, over relatively easy but exposed terrain, provides perfect ground for enjoying quick and efficient movement safeguarded by a rope and appropriate techniques. Here in the Alpujarras we have an abundance of crags (mostly loose) and these have giv...
Scrambling along the magnificent Cavall Bernat ridge, Mallorca
Report and video showing the fun and frolics, scrambling and climbing along the wonderful Cavall Bernat ridge in Mallorca, probably the best high class ridge scramble in the med!
Scrambling along the Cavall Bernat ridge, Mallorca
Uploaded by spanishhighs. – Exotic and entertaining travel videos....
Walking and scrambling routes across the NW face of Alcazaba
The upper way is called the There are some ingenious ways across the steep north west flank of Alcazaba in Spain’s Sierra Nevada. Rough and narrow tracks cross steep ground but provide rapid ways between the north side of Alcazaba and Laguna de la Mosca at the foot of Mulhacens north face. This s...
The best 5 mountain days in Mallorca combining high quality scrambling and birdwatching
The mountains of Mallorca are beckoning and we are set to visit again in September. The week long trip will combine some amazing mountain and gorge scrambling with opportunities to see the black vultures and eleonoras falcons, rare on mainland Spain. Combined with the mountain and sea backdrops i...
The Alpujarras and Sierra Nevada area. What is it like?
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