The Sierra Nevada: Spain’s Highest Point

Snowy Sierra Nevada Mountains. Photo courtesy of by-your via Flickr.

While the cities of Spain are wonderful it’s also rewarding to head out into the landscapes beyond. I recently drove through the Andalucian countryside to Granada and around every corner was yet another breathtaking landscape. We passed hills topped with wind-generators – which I have to say I find beautiful in a very modern way – then we rounded a corner to see snow-covered mountains: the Sierra Nevada, continental Spain’s highest point and a popular ski resort and national park. As we drove, these mountains just kept unfolding, getting snowier and more perfect in their beauty. Then suddenly we had descended into a red-rocked valley reminiscent of the Grand Canyon, with steep cliffs and cut-away valleys. As this progressed we began to spot houses built into the soft rock of the cliffs; white fronts of house sat flush against the red rock, the houses burrowing in behind.

Later, as we drove away from Granada after visiting the Alhambra palace for the afternoon, we rounded a corner to find ahead of us a perfectly full moon, huge and bright orange rising. It lit up the incredible Spanish landscape as we drove. Most places you’ll want to go there are excellent highways – just be aware that you’ll have to really watch out for the signage of where you want to turn off, the exits sneak up on you and before you know it you’ve passed by and have to keep going until you can turn around. Clearly the Spanish have anticipated this with the number of signs they have indicating where you can exit and get back onto the highway to go back the way you came!

To discover more: In and Around Andalucia

- Philippa Burne

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