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SIERRA NEVADA
THE MAgICAL MOuNTAIN
FOTOGRAFÍAS: Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada WWW.TURGRANADA.ES
Sierra Nevada is a phenomenon-quite literally. It is a very
unusual geographic case and amazingly beautiful. What we
have here is one of the most impressive alpine mountain
ranges right in the middle of a completely Mediterranean area,
looking down onto the sea. Because of its isolation and
peculiar climate this area has unique animal and plant species.
Therefore it is no surprise that it has been a National Park and
Biosphere Reserve since 1986.
Its white and green cloak extends over the provinces of
Granada and Almeria, at just a few hours from the Costa del
Sol. There are more than 20 peaks of over 3000 metres high,
among which is the highest mountain on the Iberian Peninsula,
The Mulhacén. Its name comes from one of the Moorish
legends that time has frozen.
It tells of the tradition of burying on this peak one of the last
Muslim kings, Muley Hacén.
The next highest in altitude is the Veleta Mountain, which is
situated in the village of Monachil and its great attraction: the
ski resort, which was traditionally known as Sun and Snow.
This title is very true. Even the Romans were said to call this
place The Solarius Mountain, or as they would say in the
Medieval Ages Sulayr Mountain. It is actually estimated that
during the season 70% of the days it’s sunny.
The ski resort was founded in 1964 and is a comprehensive
Winter Sports Centre where many first class competitions take
place, including no less than The World Alpine Ski
Championship in 1996. At an altitude of 2,000 metres you can
find Pradollano, the commercial and service area. As well as
more than 100kms of slopes, the resort also promotes the use
of snowboard and freestyle and there are spaces for sleighs,
toboggans, snow shoe routes and even night time routes.
This ski resort relies on its fortunate climate to stay open and
functioning until the closing of season. Last season, Sierra
Nevada closed on the 1st of May. However, this resort doesn´t
live from just their snow. In the summer, when the rest of
Andalusia is burning hot, this is known to be one of the freshest
places to do sports such as paragliding, bicycle routes on the
mountains, horse riding, hiking or simply going out for a drink
on a starry evening.
A visit to Sierra Nevada also offers us a view of the picturesque
highland beauty of the Alpujarra villages or, at just 45 minutes
away you could be on the Costa Tropical.
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