The Andalusian road trip reached its peak on the fourth day of our journey as we set out from Granada in the morning to drive up to the Sierra Nevada mountains. The winding roads raised steeply into the mountains and there were quite a few buses, cars and motorhomes. We were most impressed about the great number of cyclists that were making a run for the ski resort at the top. It is quite a workout to pedal 1500 meters rise from Granada.
We ascended to the Sierra Nevada ski resort, which is located 2300 meters above the sea level. Usually, there is still snow here at the beginning of May. However, this spring, the April heatwave had melted much of the snow, leaving only patches here and there on the slopes. The T-shirt weather of Granada was truly left behind, as after getting out of the car to explore Sierra Nevada, we began to shiver in the cold mountain air. So, it was back to the car to grab a jacket, and then our walking tour could continue.
The Sierra Nevada ski resort was a truly surprising find in terms of its size, being so close to the Mediterranean. There are 134 ski slopes here, with a total length of 112 kilometers. Access to the slopes is provided by 24 lifts.
Traditionally, when someone says they’re going to the Costa del Sol, you always think of beach life with sandals. But if you happen to bring skis along, you can switch easily those sandals for ski boots for a day, as the distance from the Mediterranean coast to the Sierra Nevada mountains is only 40 kilometers as the crow flies or 160 kilometers from Malaga by road – unbelievable!
It was an incredible feeling to walk on the slopes, enjoy the mountain scenery, and realize that the Mediterranean Sea is just a stone’s throw away.
Over these few days, we have been able to see incredible historical sights and natural beauty. Enriched by these experiences, we embarked on our return journey towards La Linea and our Suwena awaiting for spring maintenance. Truly, the few days of road trip were absolutely fantastic.