WIND YOUR WAY THROUGH A WILD AND RUGGED CHUNK OF SPAIN, INTO THE HEART OF IBERIA'S MOST FAMOUS MOUNTAIN AREA - THE SIERRA NEVADA.
A spectacular 2 day foot journey that connects the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea with the summit of mainland Spain’s highest mountain and the highest mountain in Western Europe outside of the Alps – Mulhacen.
5 - 9 JUNE / 2025
EVENT DATES:
DISTANCE:
53 MILES (85 KM) ON FOOT
SLEEP STYLE:
HOTEL AND
MOUNTAIN REFUGE
LOCATION:
MULHACEN, SPAIN
DURATION:
5 DAYS /
4 NIGHTS
DIFFICULTY RATING: CAN I DO THIS?
This adventure is for anyone with a decent level of hiking fitness.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
ACCOMODATION
4 nights accommodation / hotel and mountain refuge.
ALL MEALS
All meals included as standard.
TRANSFER POLICY
AFlexible transfer policy up to 12 weeks before your departure.
GUIDES AND SUPPORT
Professional mountain safety, medical and welfare staf.
SAFETY
Professional local and UK safety staff, medics, drivers, route safety staff and Rat Race experts on hand throughout. Audited and accredited to BS8848 expedition safety standard.
EXTRAS
High quality medal, rat rag and premium t-shirt for all participants.
RAISE £2500 AND GET YOUR ENTRY REFUNDED
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MORE INFORMATION:
This beast racks up a whopping 4500m of vertical height gain over an 85km route that winds its way through a really authentically wild and rugged chunk of Spain, into the heart of Iberia’s most famous mountain area – the Sierra Nevada.
This is a full-on assault of mainland Spain’s highest mountain, Mulhacen, in the heart of the Sierra Nevada and the highest mountain outside of the Alps. Our route goes from the Mediterranean Sea to the summit of the mountain, packing in a whopping 4500m of vertical gain over a 85km route. It really is a monster. But so, so rewarding in a very wild, raw and authentic corner of Spain. This really is a spectacular undertaking carried out over ‘2 days up, 1 day down,’ but not one to be taken lightly in any way. Conditioning for distance running or trekking and for mountain hiking or running is essential.
Ascend from sea level to the summit of mainland Spain’s highest mountain, Mulhacen (3479m) on a route that takes you from the sea, through an incredible dry river bed and into a stunning and rather ‘committing’ gorge. You then continue your ascent onto beautiful trails and tracks through beautiful olive and citrus groves in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, before coming face to face with the mountain itself, where we make our final ascent into the Sierra Nevada National Park from Spain’s highest village, La Trevelez. You will overnight in the village in cosy hotel accommodation, before making your summit bid the next day and then descending to our cosy refugio for food, rest and big beers! After a hearty meal and a very good night’s sleep, the next day you will hike out and finish your adventure down in the valley, before taking onward transport for some R and R, sightseeing and celebratory food and wine in the spectacular city of Granada. Relax and toast a job exceptionally well done with a full view of the sun setting behind the Sierra mountain chain stretched out in front of you, in full view beyond the world-famous Alhambra.
DAY ONE: THURSDAY
You will arrive into Malaga airport for our RV at 1200 (or overnight in the local area and meet us back at the airport). We will the transfer the team to La Rabita on the Coast (2.5 hrs drive) and check into our hotel by the beach, right by the start-line. You’ll be glad of that in the morning, given the early start! Registration, dinner and briefings (and hopefully an early night!)
ACCOMMODATION: Beach-side Hotel with twin rooms
MEALS: Dinner
DAY TWO: FRIDAY
There’s no way to say it other than it’s an ‘Oh My God O’ Clock’ start at 0200. This will allow us to avoid some of the heat of the day in the lower elevations and we will commence in the cool calmness of the early hours. We will start from Playa La Rabita and ascend via a dry river bed and an absolutely stunning and exhilarating gorge, (where you will need to use one or two ropes to pull yourself through some narrow sections!). We then ascend out of the gorge and connect with quiet roads and trails to finally reach La Trevelez. These trails will be challenging, less travelled and dusty. The main ascent is planned to take place in the cool of the early morning but it could still be 15 + degrees C when we set out. We have 43km to cover today and it will feel like you have earned every single kilometre at days’ end! A good meal and some rehydration in the village will set you up nicely for day 2: To the summit!
ACCOMMODATION: Cosy mountain hotel with twin rooms
MEALS: ‘Grab n’ go’ breakfast, Pit Stop support whilst on the route, dinner in la Trevelez
DAY THREE: SATURDAY
Another early start will see us start at 0400 from La Trevelez in the cool of the early morning and ascend to the refuge, 1000m below the summit of Mulhacen, enjoying daybreak up on the peak as we ascend. At the refuge we will jettison some of our gear at the refuge and you can refresh with food and fluids prior to the summit bid. It’s still a hard slog from here on ever-incresingly steep trails, before we top out on the high-point of Spain and the highest point of Western Europe outside the Alps. From there, we will descend on a slightly different route, back to the refuge for a hearty meal, some beers and a great night’s sleep.
ACCOMMODATION: Mountain refuge with dormitories. Hot showers available (for small surcharge, payable at the refuge)
MEALS: ‘Grab n’ go’ breakfast, packed lunch and other snacks (distributed before we leave the hotel), Pit Stop support at the refuge, hot dinner at the refuge.
DAY FOUR: SUNDAY
Rising early (but not as early as previous mornings!) we will descend to the small mountain village of Capileira and connect with our transport to head to Granada. Plan A will be to head into town for a celebration meal and a beer or two in the evening or perhaps a lively glass of Spanish Rioja or Tempranillo, and lashings of Iberico ham and chorizo sausages, for which the area is rightfully famous.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel with twin rooms
MEALS: Hearty refuge breakfast, packed lunch, dinner and a round of drinks on us in Granada!
DAY FIVE: MONDAY
We will have breakfast and the transports will leave at approximately 1000 to return to Malaga airport for those who wish. Or you may choose to remain in Granada or the local area and soak up the attractions of this stunning part of Spain.