Pico Veleta Road Climb

About Pico Veleta Road Climb

The old Sierra Nevada road was built to reach the summit of the Veleta, and its upper section, closed to private vehicles since 1989 to protect the national park, remains open to cyclists and walkers. That makes the Veleta the highest paved climb in Europe; the Vuelta a España stops at Hoya de la Mora, about 2,500 m, rather than going to the top.

From Pinos Genil, just east of Granada, a quieter local road joins the A-395, which climbs steadily at 5–6%. After a petrol station at about 13.7 km, at the El Dornajo visitor centre, the route turns onto the A-4025 for 13 km to the barrier at Hoya de la Mora. The final 8 km average about 8%, and the last 4–5 km are rough, patched asphalt with loose stones. In total it is 41 km with about 2,635 m of climbing; harder variants start from Monachil via El Purche or from Güéjar Sierra over the Alto de Hazallanas.

Riding the road is free. Snow usually closes the upper section from November to May, so check the Pradollano webcams first. The lower A-395 carries resort traffic, while above the barrier you meet only walkers and the summer park microbus. Hoya de la Mora has the last kiosks for food and water. Expect a big temperature drop and strong wind above 3,000 m. Cycle Sierra Nevada hires road bikes with delivery in Granada.

June, September and early October are best; in high summer start at dawn. Fit low gears and 30 mm tyres, and carry a jacket, gloves and two tubes.

Pico Veleta Road Climb in pictures

What you’ll find

• Bike hireBike rentalBuy
• Car parkParkingFree
• CyclingRoad or greenway cyclingFree
• Free accessFree visitFree
• Linear routeOne-way trailFree
• ViewpointScenic viewpointFree

Nearby places to visit

The climb passes 3 km from Ruta del Veleta in Cenes de la Vega, a classic place to eat after the ride, and the gorge walk of Los Cahorros de Monachil, with its hanging footbridges, lies 5 km south. Granada's Alhambra and Generalife and the Sacromonte Abbey are both 7 km west of the start for a rest day in the city. For a walking day in the same massif, the Vereda de la Estrella starts at Barranco de San Juan, 10 km east, and follows the Genil valley beneath the north faces of Mulhacén and Alcazaba.