Sierra de La Sagra
2,383 m
Spain
Also known as La SagraAlso known as
La Sagra
- Elevation
- 2,383 m
- Prominence
- 1,408 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Apr–Jun
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: Dificultad media/alta (Huéscar tourism, for the shorter variant from the refuge) (Turismo Huéscar)
The classic normal route on the waymarked PR-A 321: forest track and path from the Las Santas recreation area (about 1,260 m) past the Refugio de la Sagra to the Collado de las Víboras (1,860 m), then a steep, steady climb of about 520 m up the north-east ridge to the summit. About 3 hours up, 17 km return.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 6.9 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,117 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,383 m
- Time Up
- 4h 35m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 05m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the large car park at the Área Recreativa Las Santas, near the hermitage about 12 km from Puebla de Don Fadrique, follow the forest track opposite the car park entrance through pine woods. After about an hour you pass the Refugio de la Sagra, a forest hut; vehicles can drive this far, which shortens the day considerably (the Huéscar tourism office describes a 6.7 km, 810 m 'express' loop from here of about 3 hours 10 minutes). Continue on the track until it ends abruptly, then on a path to the broad Collado de las Víboras (about 1,860 m), 1 hour 40 minutes from Las Santas. From the col the path climbs the ridge with a strong, sustained gradient, about 520 m in 2.6 km, on rocky ground; to the north is the 'Embudo', the steep north-side slope that is a popular snow climb in winter. The summit, with a trig point, is about 1 hour 20 minutes from the col. Return the same way (about 2 hours 10 minutes). Alternatives: from Los Collados de la Sagra on the north side (Cortijo de los Collados de Abajo, about 16 km from Puebla de Don Fadrique on the GR-9100) a loop goes up by the Collado de las Víboras and down the steep, waymarked 'Bosque Vertical' path (SL-A 299) on the north-west side (14.6 km, about 1,020 m, 4¾ hours moving). The limestone is slippery after rain.
Start
Área Recreativa Las Santas1,264 m
- No public transport to Las Santas was found; the nearest towns are Puebla de Don Fadrique and Huéscar.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Área Recreativa Las Santas → La Sagra | 6.9 | 1,117 | 0 | 4h 35m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Área Recreativa Las Santas1,264 m
Large car park by the Ermita de las Santas
- Waypoint: Refugio de La Sagra1,533 m
Forest hut; the track is drivable to here
- Col: Collado de las Víboras1,856 m
- Summit: La Sagra2,383 m
Key Passages
- Collado de las Víboras
- Steep sustained climb up the ridge from the col
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
An isolated limestone mountain (2,383 m) in the north-east of Granada province, between Huéscar and Puebla de Don Fadrique, and the highest summit in Andalusia outside Sierra Nevada. Waymarked paths lead to the top in a long half-day; in winter its north side is a classic snow climb.
La Sagra rises alone above the high plateaus (altiplano) of the Huéscar district in north-east Granada. Its long ridge and steep north face, often snow-streaked in winter, make it a landmark for a long way around, and Huéscar treats it as its 'mountain of reference'. It belongs to the Subbaetic ranges of the Baetic System and is the highest point of the Baetic ranges apart from the Sierra Nevada group.
The usual ascents are hikes rather than climbs. From the south-east, the PR-A 321 from the Las Santas recreation area follows forest tracks and paths to the Collado de las Víboras and then a steep, rocky ridge to the summit trig point. From the north, Los Collados de la Sagra, near an astronomical observatory, give access to the Collado de las Víboras and to the very steep waymarked 'Bosque Vertical' path through pine forest on the north-west flank. Above the trees the mountain is bare limestone with wide views over the altiplano.
In winter the north-side 'Embudo' slope and the gullies of the north face become popular snow routes; in summer the main concern is heat and lack of water.
Climbing Notes
The normal route from Las Santas is 17 km and about 1,130 m of ascent return, roughly 5 hours moving; driving the track to the Refugio de la Sagra cuts this to about 7 km and 800 m. Fitness is the main requirement; the final climb from the Collado de las Víboras is steep and sustained, on rocky ground that is slippery after rain. The Huéscar tourism office asks for mountain experience and good fitness.
Carry all your water in summer and start early to avoid the heat. In winter, snow can make the upper slopes and especially the north side serious: ice axe, crampons and winter skills are then essential, and the Embudo is a snow climb, not a walk. Strong winds are common on the summit ridge.
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
- Snow likely on the upper mountain; winter skills and equipment needed
- Feb
- Snow likely; good season for the north-side snow routes
- Mar
- Snow patches; changeable
- Jul
- Hot; start early and carry plenty of water
- Aug
- Hot; start early and carry plenty of water
- Nov
- First snows possible
- Dec
- Snow and ice likely on the upper mountain
Access & Permits
- Getting There
Puebla de Don Fadrique and Huéscar (Granada)
Granada (GRX) or Murcia (RMU)
- Car (Las Santas): about 12 km from Puebla de Don Fadrique to the Área Recreativa Las Santas; the forest track beyond is drivable to the Refugio de la Sagra
- Car (north side): GR-9100 from Puebla de Don Fadrique to Los Collados de la Sagra, about 16 km
- Car (north-west, Bosque Vertical): A-4301 from Huéscar, then a minor road towards the Cortijo del Collado Blanco
- No public transport to the trailheads was found
Hazards
- Weather
- Avalanche