In the south of Andalusia, in the heart of the Penibetic system, is located Sierra Nevada. A protected area of 170,000 hectares located just a stone's throw from the Tropical Coast and with the Mediterranean as a backdrop.

This mountain range shelters the highest peaks of the Peninsula and is home to the southernmost ski resort in Europe. But in the Sierra Nevada, all that glitters is not ice.

While the snow is selective and sliding through it requires skill, summer democratizes the mountains. We are all equal before the prairie.

Summer activities in Sierra Nevada for adventurers

When giant slalom is scarce, and still you want one ecotourism getaway, Nattule recommends eight options to enjoy this natural enclave without a chairlift.

1. Hiking: snow melting routes

A good option to get to know the National Park in more detail is hiking.

It's not like going to Rome, but almost. All roads in the Sierra Nevada lead to happiness. One of them starts from Hoya de la Mora, next to the university hostel, and connects with the Carihuela refuge (at 3,200 meters above sea level), the previous step to the top of Veleta. The tour lasts about 3 hours. You can retrace what you have walked or continue towards the Caldera refuge, near Mulhacén.

Carihuela Refuge (Sierra Nevada summer activities)

In addition, Sierra Nevada has numerous trails that during the snow season form the ski route for the winter season. After the thaw, a series of paths are at your disposal that start from Borreguiles and are called Snow melting routes. The itinerary is dotted with streams, lagoons and plant formations that link with the Dílar hill, the Virgen de las Nieves, the Veleta or the Yeguas lagoon.

If you feel like venturing into this place, be sure to visit our hiking activities in Sierra Nevada, five days of hiking through a unique place.

Virgen de las Nieves (Sierra Nevada summer activities)

2. Mountain races: climb to Veleta

If you live fast, walking is not enough for you. Run, then. Sierra Nevada offers you an extensive program of summer athletic competitions. The most famous are the International Climb to Veleta and the Sierra Nevada Mountain Festival.

The climb has a history of more than 30 editions, making it a classic for popular runners. The test starts from the city of Granada and concludes, after 50 kilometers, at the peak of Veleta, about 3,400 meters altitude. To do it, you have to get along with your quads.

Climb to Veleta © www.subidaveleta.com

He Sierra Nevada Mountain Festival It offers you the possibility of running in up to three different modalities: vertical kilometer, sky speed and mountain running. In the first, you will go up from Pradollano to the vicinity of Veleta. The mountain race totals 20 kilometers of route through the surroundings of the ski resort.

3. Mountaineering: ascent to Mulhacén

If it's not the queen stage, it deserves it. One of the greatest attractions of summer in Sierra Nevada is to reach the Mulhacén summit. At 3,482 meters high, reaching the peak is difficult in winter, but in summer it is a reasonable goal.

The ascent begins at the Poqueira refuge, at 2,500 meters, where you have the possibility of spending the night. During the climb, you will observe notable changes in the flora, exponents of a rich ecosystem. You will need between three and four hours to reach the top. From there you will be able to see, if the cirrus clouds allow it, the peaks of the Atlas mountain range.

Mulhacén Peak from the La Carihuela refuge © Manuel Pavón

Mulhacén may be little to you. In that case, participate in the integral, a mountaineering route that is traveled in 4 days. If you do, you will crown most of the peaks over 3,000 meters in the Park: Alcazaba, Mulhacén and Veleta, among others. It starts at the Postero Alto refuge, in Jerez del Marquesado, and runs through the highest part of the mountain range. Remember that you will sleep in mountain shelters and that you must transport all your equipment, tent included.

Road to the top of Veleta (Sierra Nevada summer activities)

Prepare for the Integral by joining this activity that crowns the three great peaks of the Sierra Nevada.

4. MTB to the Alpujarras

When are the bikes for? Exact. In summer Sierra Nevada It offers fans magnificent routes. If you leave from the Pradollano ski resort you can do one of 60 kilometers that reaches the Alpujarras. You will pass through Carihuela del Veleta (3,200 meters above sea level) and enjoy spectacular views of the National Park.

The Nevada BTT Center, based in Mairena, also offers routes of different difficulty and distance. From 7 to 70 kilometers. It is the first sustainable MTB center from Andalusia. During the tour you will not find physical signs, so you must make good use of GPS and other technological tools to reach your destination.

Cyclists in Sierra Nevada © Pedales de Granada

On the other hand, if you prefer an exciting descent, similar to boxing without gloves, dare the 8 circuits of the bike park. It is accessed through 3 lifts enabled between Pradollano and Borreguiles. More than 30 kilometers and almost 1,000 meters of elevation on which to enjoy without pedaling.

5. Astronomical observation at Devil's Hill

Mulhacén may be the highest peak in the Sierra Nevada, but if you want to discover all the beauty that this National Park hides, you will have to look even higher.

The nights of summer in Sierra Nevada They become calmer and the sky clearer. Ideal circumstances to admire the firmament that covers the Sierra Nevada. Can you do it sunrise observations to see the constellations and planets from the Collado del Diablo, north of Pradollano. Or take the Borreguiles cable car to see the Perseids (meteor shower) at 2,700 meters high.

The starry sky (Sierra Nevada summer activities)

In addition, guided tours are carried out astronomical Observatory almost every weekend in the summer.

I recommend this one stargazing activity as mandatory if astronomy is your thing.

6. Orienteering in the high mountains

Know the technique to orient yourself in nature It is essential for any mountaineer who wants to turn the route into an adventure with a happy ending. In Sierra Nevada, courses are taught to handle the compass, the altimeter and the GPS, plot courses and use the map properly.

These basic notions for planning outings and interpret topographic maps They are learned in the Poqueira and Postero Alto shelters. In the latter, advanced level orientation courses are also given. If you sign up you will have to live several days in the mountains.

Group of hikers on the Poqueira River (Sierra Nevada summer activities)

7. Paragliding from Güéjar Sierra

Now that you know the National Park from the ground, you may want to fly on your own. The location of Sierra Nevada, its climate and its high mountains give it some conditions optimal for paragliding all year round.

If you have never flown to 1,500 meters, the ideal thing will be for you to do it accompanied by a qualified pilot with experience in these activities. The takeoff is usually from Güéjar Sierra or from Cenes de la Vega.

Tandem flight with Sierra Nevada in the background © Granaltura

The views of the Sierra Nevada at this altitude will not disappoint you. The previous requirements In order to complete this activity, you will surely meet them: weigh more than 40 and less than 120 kilos and not have heart problems. No fear of heights, of course.

8. On horseback to the Yeguas lagoon

One of the best ways to know Sierra Nevada in summer It is on the back of a horse. There is often the feeling that this activity is reserved for skilled horsemen and horsewomen. Nothing is further from reality. You may not ride on the backs of purebreds, but on animals that are very well trained and made to travel these peaks.

From Hoya de la Mora there are two-hour routes that will take you through the Collado de las Yeguas to the Laguna de las Yeguas. There, at 2,873 meters above sea level, is the largest reservoir in the Sierra Nevada. On the edges of this lagoon you may find the accentor, the only bird of Andalusia typically alpine, which usually appears confident to the visitor.

Horseback riding route through Sierra Nevada © Cortijo las Encinillas

Sierra Nevada does not hibernate in summer, the season of happiness. It is true that it looks brighter in February, but its routes make it a magnificent option after the thaw. Those who disdain skis do not hesitate to visit its mountains when the green devours the white. It may seem strange, but there are those who, in metamorphosis, prefer the chrysalis to the butterfly.