Santa Bárbara
2,269 m
Spain
Also known as Calar de Santa BarbaraAlso known as
Calar de Santa Barbara
- Elevation
- 2,269 m
- Prominence
- 1,153 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Apr–Jun
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1The standard ascent of the Sierra de Baza's high point: the waymarked GR 7 from the Cortijo Narváez visitor centre (1,360 m) through pine forest to the Canaleja Alta recreation area, a steep path to the old mining area of the Prados del Rey and Collado de la Mina (about 2,000 m), then a signed mining track past fenced mine shafts to the summit. About 10 km one way and 900 m of ascent.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 9.7 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +932 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,269 m
- Time Up
- 4h 23m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 25m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the car park of the Cortijo Narváez visitor centre (1,360 m), reached by an access road from the A-92, the GR 7 (red and white) climbs a barranco past the Fuente de la Salud and through pine forest, then on a broader path past a viewpoint to the benches at the Fuente del Olvido. It continues up a firebreak on the Cuesta del Ahorcado, crosses the Prados de Poveda and descends to the main forest track at Canaleja Alta (1,550 m, km 5), where springs by the recreation area are among the few water sources on the massif. At the bend by the recreation area entrance the GR 7 leaves the track on the right (sign 'Prados del Rey') and climbs very steeply, about 350 m in 1.7 km, rejoining the track by the Collado del Toro viewpoint. Follow the track to the Collado de la Mina and the Prados del Rey (about 2,000 m, km 8.4), a 19th–20th century lead and fluorite mining area with interpretive panels. From the car park at the col a signed mining track leads towards the summit; a path branches off and climbs between mine entrances protected by wooden walkways to the summit trig point (km 9.9). Return the same way, or via the Pozo de la Nieve refuge and the GR 7. A longer loop back by the Collado de Fonfría and the Pino de la Señora is poorly marked and needs a GPS track.
Start
Centro de Visitantes Narváez1,364 m
- No public transport to Narváez was found; the nearest town is Baza.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centro de Visitantes Narváez → Santa Bárbara | 9.7 | 932 | 29 | 4h 23m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Centro de Visitantes Narváez1,364 m
Visitor centre, hostel and bar; GR 7 starts by the car park
- Feature: Canaleja Alta1,558 m
Recreation area and springs on the main forest track
- Col: Collado de la Mina2,026 m
Old mining area; car park and interpretive panels
- Summit: Santa Bárbara2,269 m
Key Passages
- Steep GR 7 path from Canaleja Alta to the Collado del Toro
- Old mine shafts with wooden walkways below the summit
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 70%Overview
The highest point of the Sierra de Baza (2,269 m), a limestone calar rising from the arid basins of north-east Granada, named after the patron saint of Baza. A long, waymarked walk on the GR 7 through pine forest and old mining country leads to wide views over Sierra Nevada and Cazorla.
The Calar de Santa Bárbara is the summit of the Sierra de Baza Natural Park, a forested limestone massif that forms a 'bioclimatic island' among the steppe plains and badlands of the Guadix and Baza basins. The variation in altitude brings more rain and snow than the surrounding lowlands and preserves native forests of Scots and black pine, with maple groves and older plantations. From the top the view takes in the whole of Granada province, with Sierra Nevada to the south and the Cazorla and Segura ranges to the north.
The mountain was mined for lead from the 19th century, and fluorite until 1983. Shafts, spoil heaps and mining tracks remain around the Prados del Rey and the Collado de la Mina just below the summit, where several mine entrances are now fenced with wooden walkways. A historic snow pit, the Pozo de la Nieve, recorded in the Ensenada land registry of 1753, lies nearby.
The normal ascent from the Narváez visitor centre on the GR 7 is technically easy but long, about 10 km and 900 m of ascent each way, and water is scarce above the Canaleja Alta springs. In winter the summit is often wind-blasted and icy.
Climbing Notes
Allow a full day for the round trip from Narváez: about 20 km with roughly 900–1,150 m of ascent depending on the line; one loop report took 7¾ hours. The climb from Canaleja Alta to the Collado del Toro is steep. Carry all the water you need from Canaleja Alta and protect yourself from the sun on the open upper slopes.
In winter, expect strong, cold winds and ice on the foresummit and summit; microspikes are useful, and snow can cover the upper mountain. Stay on the paths near the old mine workings. Return variants via the Collado de Fonfría are poorly marked, so carry a GPS track. The Narváez visitor centre has a hostel and bar, and the Canaleja Alta and Pozo de la Nieve refuges are on or near the route.
Season
Best Apr–Jun- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Good
- April: Best (best window)
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best
- October: Best
- November: Good
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Cold, windy; ice and snow possible on the summit
- Feb
- Cold, windy; ice and snow possible
- Jul
- Hot; little water; start early
- Aug
- Hot; little water; start early
- Dec
- Snow and ice possible; short days
Access & Permits
- Rules
- Sierra de Baza Natural Park: natural park rules apply; keep away from old mine shafts and stay on paths
- Getting There
Baza (Granada)
Granada (GRX) or Almería (LEI)
- Car: A-92 between Guadix and Baza, then the access road to the Cortijo Narváez visitor centre
- A forest track crosses the park from Narváez via Canaleja Alta to the Collado de la Mina
- No public transport to the trailhead was found
Hazards
- Weather