Mulhacén

Mulhacén, with an elevation of 3,479 metres (11,414 ft), is the highest mountain in peninsular Spain and in all of the Iberian Peninsula. It is part of the Sierra Nevada range in the Penibaetic System.

The mountain is named after Abu'l-Hasan Ali, known as Muley Hacén in Spanish. He was the last Muslim ruler of Granada in the 15th century. According to legend, he was buried near the top of the mountain. In present-day Arabic, it is still called Jabal Mawla el-Hassan (Mountain of Mawla el-Hassan).

Mulhacén is the highest peak in Southern Europe outside of the Alps. It is also the third-most important peak in Western Europe, after Mont Blanc and Mount Etna.

The south side of the mountain is gentle and easy to climb. The west ridge is also not very difficult. The northeast ridge is a bit steeper. The north face is steeper and has several climbing routes, especially in winter when there is snow and ice.

You can climb Mulhacén in one day from the villages of Capileira or Trevélez. Many people stay overnight at a mountain refuge at Poqueira, or in a shelter at Caldera to the west. Those climbing from Trevélez can also stay near small lakes to the northeast of the peak.