The Unpaved Camino de los Franceses to Collado de Carihuela in Granada
Collado de Carihuela is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,209m (10,528ft) above sea level, located in the province of Granada, in Spain. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.
Where is Collado de Carihuela?
The pass is located in the region of Andalusia, in the southern part of the country. At the summit, there’s a mountain refuge called Refugio Vivac de la Carihuela and a small chapel called Ermita de la Virgen de las Nieves.
Is the road to Collado de Carihuela unpaved?
The road to the pass, located within the Sierra Nevada mountain range, is totally unpaved and impassable in winter. Along the way, several alpine lakes can be found. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.
How long is the road to Collado de Carihuela?
The road through the pass is called Camino de los Franceses (also known as Camino del Mulhacén). It runs from the Veleta peak to a small town called Capileira and is 31km (19 miles) long. To protect the national park's wilderness, it is closed to motor vehicles, and only bicycles are allowed on the road.
Pic: Ramón Carlos Válor López