Begin your ascent at the wooden information hut at the starting point at Sierra Nevada. Start by following the road until you see a clear path on the left. Continue along the path SSE-S towards Veleta. You may notice other paths along the way but don’t worry about following these; they all reach the summit of Veleta. 

You will find yourself at the last part of the road below Veleta. Avoid the temptation to begin ascending towards the peak as from here, it is not a direct ascent!

Instead, traverse S on the road until you find yourself at a junction; with either a tarmac road or rubble road to head down. Follow the rubble road downhill until you join the ridge at Vivac de la Carihuela. 

Continue downhill until the path levels out above the small tarn of Laguna de Aguas Verdes; the Lake of Green Waters. 

Continue by following the ‘clear’ track heading E in the direction of Mulhacen. You should pass through a sharp rock gateway. 

The path will bank due S to navigate a promontory (Loma Pela). You can avoid this long-cut if you wish, by maintaining a due E direction and following the clear path uphill. 

You will now reach the brow of the promontory. From here, descend steeply. As you do so, you will pass through the northern side of the mineral-rich tarn of Laguna de la Caldera. 

You will now feel close to the peak, but let me assure you this path is deceptively long; it will take another 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach the summit. As you near the end of this path towards the ridge, head northwards towards the summit.

You will find yourself at the summit, which is marked by a concrete pillar and small shrine.