Snowshoeing in Spain’s
Sierra Nevada Mountains
Although this is Southern Spain, close to
the Mediterranean and Africa, The Sierra Nevada boasts Europe’s most southerly
ski resort and mainland Spain’s highest mountain, Mulhacen 3482m above sea
level. As an indication, the ski season usually starts here at the end of
November and finishes in May with a celebration of skiing in the morning and
swimming in the sea in the afternoon! However there are sometimes during the
season when the snow starts to get a bit thin though we can usually find
somewhere to snowshoe.
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| Sally learning to move on snowshoes |
The joy of exploring the Sierra Nevada on
snowshoes is that the area is mainly undeveloped, so unlike alpine ski resorts
you can get a real feel of wilderness away from crowds, ski lifts and prepared
snow slopes. Our snowshoeing days start from one of the pretty high villages
(usually with coffee) before heading up dirt track roads as high as possible
into the snow. Occasionally we have to walk a bit before putting on snowshoes
but often we can snowshoe from the car.
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| The way to Pico de los Machos 3088m |
Our routes usually start up through the
forests before gaining the open slopes above the tree line. On the majority of
days we enjoy blue skies and sunshine which is a distinct advantage over the
traditional alpine resorts, though if the weather is poor we can always walk
the spectacular paths in the Alpujarra (the lower southern slopes of the Sierra
Nevada).
On our snowshoeing holidays we like to
spend a night up at the Poqueira Refuge (2500m) which although bunk
accommodation has a good dining room, bar and made all the better by the log
fire.
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| The Poqueira Refuge, superb snow and blue skies! |
Snowshoeing is a little more strenuous than
normal walking, but we are often walking over terrain where it would be
impossible to walk without either snow shoes or touring skis. That said the
normal snowshoeing day is around 10am until 4pm though shorter if conditions
dictate.
In short, snowshoeing is good fun; sociable
and takes you to places not normally visited in the winter months. Sierra
Nevada Guides are all International Mountain Leaders, the qualification
recognized in Spain (and internationally) for being a snowshoeing Guide.
Sierra Nevada Guides are offering guided
snowshoe hikes from 50 Euro’s per person including the hire of snowshoes.