Getting there
- Flights to Granada (GRX) 45 km from the start
- Flights to Málaga (AGP) 105 km from the start
Treks / Spain
Mulhacén
Spain · Nearest city: Granada
TypeMulti-day trek
Days1–2
Distance≈ 25 km
Climbing≈ 1,300 m
Highest point3,479 m
The highest mountain in mainland Spain, in the Sierra Nevada above Granada. A long day or an overnight at a refuge.
Fitness
Hard
Best seasonJune to October
High pointMulhacén
Watch out: No shade and strong sun at altitude. Afternoon storms are possible in summer.
Why people choose it
It's the highest mountain in mainland Spain, climbed in a day or an overnight from the white villages of the Alpujarras.
What makes it different
- Highest point of the Iberian Peninsula
- Views to Africa on very clear days
- Starts from Moorish-style white villages
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
This trek reaches 3,479 m, and many policies stop covering hiking at 2,000 to 3,000 m unless you add an activity upgrade. World Nomads needs its Level 3 activities above 2,000 m, Heymondo its Adventure add-on above 3,000 m, and SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trekking up to 4,500 m.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Wild camping is regulated by each region and generally banned in natural parks. Mountain refuges and campsites are the norm.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Capileira → Mulhacén
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Book your first and last nights, and check whether accommodation along the way needs reserving.
- Best time to go: June to October.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Granada.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: June to October
May to June
Early season
Snow can linger high up in early June; lower slopes are green and pleasant.
Bring
- Warm layers for the tops
- Gaiters for snow patches
- Sunscreen
July to August
Peak season
Hot and dry, with little water on the mountains and afternoon storms around the summits.
Bring
- Extra water capacity
- Sun protection
- Rain jacket for storms
September to October
Late season
Often the nicest time: cooler days, clear air and quieter trails.
Bring
- Warm layer for mornings
- Headlamp
- Check refuge opening dates
Be ready for
Heat
Start at dawn, rest in the shade at midday, and carry more water than you think. Electrolytes help.
Thinner air
You'll feel the altitude on the climbs. Spend a night or two in the mountains first if you can, and pace yourself.
Afternoon storms
Thunderstorms often build after midday in summer. Start early, cross passes and summits before noon, and never shelter under lone trees or on ridges.
What you'll see
7 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Mulhacén
Photo credits: Alcazaba, Punta de la Cornisa y Mulhacén . m by Juanjosepascua, CC BY-SA 3.0 es, via Wikimedia Commons; Sierra Nevada desde el embalse del Cubillas, en Atarfe Granada by Lopezsuarez, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Capileira seen from the Sulayr Trail by Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Runoff ice from Laguna Hondera in Capileira, Sierra Nevada National Park by Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Day - Capileira to Trevélez - panoramio by Hans Braam, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Day - Capileira to Trevélez - panoramio by Hans Braam, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Day - Refugio de Poqueira to Refugio de la Carihuela - panoramio by Hans Braam, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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