Key Facts:
Length: 16,6 km; Accumulated height difference: 850 m; Difficulty: High.
Departure time (Granada): 8:00 am
Meeting point: Bus stop Severo Ochoa, at the door of the University gardens
9:00 am in Hoya de La Mora
Arrival time: approximately 5:00 pm, but it depends on the pace of the group
Hike around the lakes in the Sierra Nevada
The trip:
The hike around the lakes in the National Park of the Sierra Nevada crosses the water-filled area around the headwaters of river Dilar. A wonderful succession of high mountain lakes surrounded by meadows can be found. It is a hike on which we will discover the famous Lagunillos of the Virgen and Misterioso lakes. Immerse yourself in the biodiversity of Sierra Nevada, landscapes change every season and every year.
The hike starts from the car park of the Hoya de la Mora. From this point, we will walk, cutting the curves, along the old Sierra Nevada road and pass through the shrine Virgen de las Nieves until we arrive at the Collado de las Yeguas. We will hike close to the ski slopes and of an area known as “borreguiles”(high mountain pastures) and see the damage to the landscape caused by winter sports. Walking close by several small crystalline waterfalls near the observatory. Through our guide’s explanations we will discover the secrets of the landscape: endemic flowers, butterflies, insects and unique species only visible at this time of the year. This hike will first take us to the Laguna de las Yeguas which is the biggest lake. Its waters collect in an artificial reservoir. The path continues to the Lagunillos de la Virgen, located at a different altitude. The highest of this series of lakes is 2955m above sea level. We will begin the descent by walking close to the Ermita and Torcales de Dilar lakes before finding the most hidden lake, the Misterioso. Whose run-off has given rise to abundant mountain meadow vegetation. We will head back to the valley of the Monachil River, avoiding some height difference and we will finish the hike around the lakes in the Sierra Nevada at the departure point.
Landscape and heritage:
- High mountains of the Sierra Nevada National Park: landscape and geological shaping
- Lakes of glacial origins, cold, crystalline waters
- Endemic botanical species, typical of the high mountain meadows and rocky areas
- Beautiful waterfalls and streams
- Breathtaking views
Equipment recommended:
There isn’t any potable water on the path. We recommend carrying 2l of water. We highly recommend hiking sticks. The walking paths are in good condition, but if it has rained, it can be muddy. We recommend wearing hiking boots or trekking shoes. Sunglasses, sun cream, protective lip cream, a hat, gloves and appropriate clothing for the season and the weather forecast.
Logistics:
Participants should take nuts, dried fruits, and sandwiches for our picnic in the countryside.
Price: €20/pp. 2 people minimum. It includes the guided trip, insurance, and transportation. Ask for group prices
Purchasing Conditions: Excursions must be booked and paid for at least three days in advance. Participants must arrive at the meeting point on time. The group will wait for participants for five minutes but then leave. In this situation, no money will be reimbursed. All participants should ensure that they know how to get to the meeting point and if you have any questions or doubts, please do not hesitate to contact us.
