Sierra de Javalambre
2,020 m
Spain
Also known as Javalambre, Pico JavalambreAlso known as
Javalambre · Pico Javalambre
- Elevation
- 2,020 m
- Prominence
- 797 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- May–Jun
- Routes
- 2
Routes
2The short summer route: from the main car park of the Javalambre ski station, ski-area tracks and a steep stretch of piste lead to the Alto del Ventisquero (2,003 m, top of the chairlift), then along the crest past the TV repeaters of the Cerro de Javalambre to the rounded main summit. Only a little over 100 m of ascent; not allowed while the ski runs are open.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 2.5 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +192 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,020 m
- Time Up
- 1h 01m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 52m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the main car park of the Javalambre ski station, take the track to the right of the central building (in winter the 'vuelta a casa' ski run) and climb it without turning off. Then leave the track to the right and go straight up the ski slope, steep for a short stretch, to the Alto del Ventisquero (2,003 m), marked by the top of the chairlift. Follow the track south along the broad crest to the Cerro de Javalambre (2,002 m), a fenced top with a TV repeater, a large red-and-white mast and service buildings. Drop to a shallow col and climb the short rise to the summit (about 2,020 m), a rounded top with a geodetic vertex and small buildings. The view takes in much of Teruel province. For the descent, follow the track back past the TV buildings and repeaters and, at the junction, go left (right is signed to Camarena de la Sierra) to return to the station. The route has no shade and no water. The station signs ban walking on the ski area while it is operating, so in the ski season use the GR 10 from the Refugio Rabadá y Navarro instead. Fog is frequent and the plateau has few landmarks.
Start
Parking Estación Javalambre1,852 m
- None to the ski station; a car is needed.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parking Estación Javalambre → Javalambre | 2.5 | 192 | 28 | 1h 01m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Parking Estación Javalambre1,852 m
- Shoulder: Alto del Ventisquero2,002 m
- Feature: Cerro de Javalambre2,003 m
- Summit: Javalambre2,020 m
Key Passages
- Steep section of ski slope up to the Alto del Ventisquero
- Col between the Cerro de Javalambre and the summit
Equipment
0/4 packedDownloads
Route confidence 65%Overview
The high point of the Sierra de Javalambre in southern Teruel, a broad limestone plateau just over 2,000 m with a ski area on its northern flank and TV masts on a neighbouring top. A short walk from the ski station in summer, or a long day on the GR 10 from Camarena de la Sierra.
Javalambre is the summit of the sierra of the same name in the south of Teruel province, part of the Iberian System between Teruel and the Valencian border. The upper mountain is a wide, rolling karst plateau of meadows, juniper and pine, with the Aramón Javalambre ski station on the north side, a fenced TV relay on the Cerro de Javalambre (2,002 m) and the main top, a rounded hump with a geodetic vertex, a little to the south.
In summer the shortest approach from the ski station involves little more than a hundred metres of climbing. The classic walk starts in Camarena de la Sierra and climbs the GR 10 past the Refugio Rabadá y Navarro, a staffed Aragonese Mountaineering Federation hut, giving a full day of 800–900 m of ascent. Neither route is technical.
The structures on the crest make the top less attractive than its views, which take in much of Teruel province on a clear day. Fog is common and the plateau has few landmarks, and winters are cold and windy. When the ski area is open, walking on the pistes is prohibited.
Climbing Notes
Fitness for an easy half day is enough for the ski-station route; the Camarena loop needs a full day (about 7–8 hours with stops). Carry water: there is none on the plateau, though the hut and the Fuente Blanquilla are on the GR 10. Download a track before going, as the waymarks above the hut have been reported faded and fog can blank out the plateau. In winter the upper mountain is snowbound and the tourist office warns that crampons and an ice axe may be needed; respect the ban on walking on the ski area while it is operating. In summer avoid the midday heat on the shadeless crest.
History
Javalambre is usually described as the second-highest summit of Teruel, after Peñarroya in the Sierra de Gúdar, though the difference rests largely on Peñarroya's summit pillar.
Season
Best May–Jun- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Good
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best
- October: Best
- November: Good
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Snow; ski area open (walking on the pistes banned); use the GR 10
- Feb
- Winter conditions; crampons may be needed
- Mar
- Snow on the plateau
- Apr
- Late snow possible; ski area usually closing
- Jul
- Hot and shadeless at midday; afternoon storms
- Aug
- Hot and shadeless at midday; afternoon storms
- Nov
- First snow possible
- Dec
- Snow; ski season starts
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Refugio Rabadá y Navarro (FAM, 78 places, staffed all year): book by phone on +34 978 76 80 83 or online via alberguesyrefugios.com.
- Rules
- Walking on the Javalambre ski area is prohibited while the station is operating; the short route from the station follows ski runs
- Getting There
Camarena de la Sierra; Teruel (about 35 km)
Valencia (VLC)
- Car: from Teruel via Camarena de la Sierra on the road to the Javalambre ski station; the Refugio Rabadá y Navarro can be reached by car on a track turning off about 4 km from Camarena (per the FAM)
- Public transport: very limited; a car is the practical option
Hazards
- Weather
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,530 m
Refugio Rabadá y NavarroHutStaffed
78 beds · All year
Book Refugio Rabadá y NavarroWebsite of Refugio Rabadá y Navarro