As is often the case, the most flexible way of getting around the Sierra Nevada is by car. Many of the walks start from places that aren’t served by buses, and even where a bus service is available, careful planning is needed to fit in with timetables. Even so, there are plenty of routes that can be accessed from the bus network, and there are even a number of one-way walks that are best done by public transport as then you don’t need to double back to collect your car.
By car
All our walks come with directions to the trailhead. Some of the access routes are via unsurfaced roads, but these are passable in an ordinary car (with the caveat that in certain weather conditions these roads may become degraded). We have avoided including walks which can generally only be accessed by four-wheel-drives.
Car hire can be surprisingly reasonable out of the peak summer season.
By public transport
If you are relying on public transport we recommend that you either base yourself in Granada, from which the bus routes tend to radiate, or stick to one particular area, e.g. the Alpujarras or East of Granada. It isn’t really practical to be based in Güéjar Sierra and do day walks in the Alpujarras or vice-versa, as this would involve spending most of the day on the bus. Another option is to stay a few nights in Güéjar Sierra followed by a few nights in the Alpujarras, for instance.
The main bus routes that are of use to walkers are listed below. This map shows the departure points for bus services. Click on the bus symbols for the bus stop name and information on which destinations they serve
Alpujarras – Lanjarón and Órgiva
Operator: Alsa
Frequency: 9 per day
Journey time: 1 – 1.5 hours to Lanjarón, further 15 minutes to Órgiva.
Departure point in Granada: Bus station
Timetables and tickets: www.alsa.es
Alpujarras – Pampaneira, Bubión, Capileira, Busquístar and Trevélez
Operator: Alsa
Frequency: 3 per day
Journey time: 2h05min to Pampaneira; 2h20min to Bubión; 2h25min to Capileira; 2h55min to Busquístar; 3h15min to Trevélez
Departure point in Granada: Bus station
Timetables and tickets: www.alsa.es (tickets can also be bought at the bus station)
Lecrín Valley – Melegís, Restábal, Albuñuelas
Operator: Alsa
Frequency: Mon-Fri: 5 per day to Melegís and Restábal, 3 per day to Albuñuelas, 2 per day to Pinos del Valle; Sat: 1 per day to Melegís, Restábal and Albuñuelas; Sunday: no service
Journey time: 1 hour to Melegís; 1h05min to Restábal; 1h15min to Albuñuelas and Pinos del Valle
Departure point in Granada: Bus station
Timetables and tickets: www.alsa.es (tickets can also be bought at the bus station)
Service: 390
Frequency: Mon-Fri 18 per day; Sat 9 per day; Sun 4 per day
Journey time: 40 minutes to Güéjar Sierra; 20 minutes to Pinos Genil*
Departure point in Granada: Paseo de los Basilios
Timetables: www.ctagr.com/index1.php, click on Horarios por Linea
Tickets: buy onboard
* note that some services only pick up/drop off on the outskirts of Pinos Genil, but it’s only a short distance to walk into the village centre.
Service: 395
Frequency: Mon-Sat 11 per day; Sun 4 per day
Journey time: 20 minutes to Dúdar; 30 minutes to Quéntar
Departure point in Granada: Paseo de los Basilios
Timetables: www.ctagr.com/index1.php, click on Horarios por Linea
Tickets: buy onboard
Service: 183
Frequency: Mon-Fri 16 per day; Sat 7 per day (last bus back 13:40); Sun no service
Journey time: 30 minutes
Departure point in Granada: Paseo de los Basilios
Timetables: www.ctagr.com/index1.php, click on Horarios por Linea
Tickets: buy onboard
Note: Services 181 and 182 go to Barrio Monachil, but this is some way short (approx. 2km) of Monachil village.
Service: 184
Frequency: Mon-Fri 24 per day; Sat 15 per day; Sun 13 per day
Journey time: 30 minutes
Departure point in Granada: Paseo de los Basilios
Timetables: www.ctagr.com/index1.php, click on Horarios por Linea
Tickets: buy onboard
Huétor Santillán and Beas de Granada
Service: 300
Frequency: Mon-Fri 6 per day; Sat 4 per day; Sun no service
Journey time: 25 minutes to Huétor Santillan; 30 minutes to Beas de Granada
Departure point in Granada: Capitán Moreno
Timetables: www.ctagr.com/index1.php, click on Horarios por Linea
Tickets: buy onboard
Service: 275
Frequency: Sat and Sun only 2 services per day
Journey time: 20 minutes
Departure point in Granada: Callejón del Pretorio
Timetables: www.ctagr.com/index1.php, click on Horarios por Linea
Tickets: buy onboard
Service: 171
Frequency: Mon-Fri 32 per day; Sat 22 per day; Sun 19 per day
Journey time: 45 minutes
Departure point in Granada: Callejón del Pretorio
Timetables: www.ctagr.com/index1.php, click on Horarios por Linea
Tickets: buy onboard
Operator: Autocares Bonal
Frequency: 1 per day outside of ski season
Journey time: approx 45 minutes
Departure point in Granada: Bus station
Timetables: www.lovegranada.com/buses/sierra-nevada/
Tickets: buy at the bus station prior to boarding, or to return from Pradollano buy onboard
Useful city bus services are listed below:
City buses 3 and 33 serve the bus station.
City bus 13 goes to the cemetery above the Alhambra for the Llano de la Perdiz walk.
Minibuses 30 and 32 go to the Alhambra, from where the Llano de la Perdiz walk can also be accessed.
City bus 9 goes to Los Rebites for the Camino de los Neveros to Monachil walk.
Click here for a pdf map of city bus routes.
Special National Park Services
The National Parks office runs microbus services to allow access to the upper slopes of the Sierra Nevada. These areas are off-limits to private vehicles so this is a good way to give yourself a “head start” if you want to reach the highest peaks. The services include an interesting guided commentary about the geology and ecology of the Sierra Nevada.
The services run in the summer and early autumn. Timetables and frequencies vary according to season and weather conditions – ring the numbers given below for information. You should book in advance to secure your place. More information in Spanish.
There are two routes:
Hoya de la Mora to Posiciones del Veleta
Departure point: Hoya de la Mora, a car park just above the Pradollano ski station
Tel: +34 671 564407
E-mail: pi.hoyadelamora.cma@juntadeandalucia.es
Capileira to Alto del Chorrillo
Departure point: by the Information Point in Capileira
Tel: +34 671564406 or +34 958 763090
E-mail: pi.capileira.cma@juntadeandalucia.es
