We're off to Andalucia this november when we close the hotel and I will spend a couple of days in the Sierra Nevada. If the weather is ok I intend to climb Mulhacen but I am unsure of my starting point. I'm considering starting from Trevelez or Capileira and going to the refuge Poquiera and then going to the summit and descending back to the car or going to the hoya del portilla and going up and down in one day (all is weather dependent). I've read a few spanish sites and some say Trevelez and back in a day, others are not quite as certain. If ye've been there any advice would be appreciated.
I've climbed Mulhacen, there-and-back, from Capileira in a day, in the middle of winter. It meant getting up very early and walking up the road in the dark, spending all day on that long and winding dirt road in bitterly cold conditions, then coming back down the road and finishing long after it got dark back in Capileira. Didn't see anything all day because of mist and spindrift, and it was far too wild to do anything on top except turn on my heel and come straight back down again.
Best time to go? That was in the middle of winter. When I went back the following Easter, there was a massive dump of snow and I couldn't get anywhere near it. I keep thinking I should go back in summer and do a long, high-level walk over Mulhacen and its neighbours, but you need to carry lots of water for such a trek.
Just picked up this posting, so you have probably been and gone by now. However your description of driving to Hoya del Portillo, staying at the hut and then doing Mulhacen the next day, is definitely the best. It can be done in a day in summer, and the National Park have a bus which goes to Mirador de Trevelez, which makes the summit and back a pleasant day trip, however this only operates in summer months.
Don't be put off by other people's comments, it is a great mountain range, definitely worth exploring and you are unlikely to see many people. BUT it can be a serious undertaking in winter, so you should check the weather forecast and listen to what the hut guardian says if it is looking dodgy. Enjoy!
Hi just completed the Refugio at Poquira from Capileira in October I don't think it's a good idea to do it in a day to much like hard work especialy for me it was the last two miles just past the second farm you see on your way up, couldent complete Mulhacen as was given wrong advice at information center in Capiliera regarding cost to stay at refugio overnight it cost 40 euros for evening meal bunk bed and breakfast only took 50 so had to go back down next day but hey what a great walk lot's of solitude great atmosphere, food and company at the refugio and I suppose I met about 5 or 6 others on the trail. Well worth it.
Been and done it now, and quite impressed - not too difficult - the last bit was a bit steep but not at all technical. Very sunny and very very windy. I started from Hoya del Portillo stayed at the refuge climbed to the summit and went down via Mulhacen 2 (avoiding the large track) back to the car. From the refuge it was 2 and a half hour climb and 5 and a half to 6 hours back to the car. It was mid week and I was surprised at the number of foreigners in the refuge. A gang of Germans, a scot, an american, 1 spanish and 2 Irish, all staying for 2 nights. A bit of snow on top but not much as it had melted after a warm spell. I think it would be a good ascent in winter with snowshoes from the south side.
If you are looking for more walks in Andalusia or other parts of Spain, check the Topwalks site.
It has 230 routes in Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Cantabria, Leon and Valencia, all with detailed descriptions, maps, GPS waypoints, photos and slide shows. We tackled Mulhacen from Hoya de la Mora. In my opinion there are much more interesting routes than Mulhacen already in Andalusia, but especially in the northern part of Spain.
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