Mulhacen Mountain
Mulhacén Mountain
Mulhacén ([mulaˈθen]) is the highest mountain in peninsular Spain and the entire Iberian Peninsula, with an elevation of 3,479 meters (11,414 feet). It is a part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range within the Penibaetic System. It holds the distinction of being the highest peak in Southern Europe outside of the Alps.
Etymology and Historical Significance
The mountain is named after Abu'l-Hasan Ali, also known as Muley Hacén in Spanish, who was the penultimate Muslim ruler of Granada in the 15th century. According to legend, Muley Hacén was buried on the summit of the mountain. The name Mulhacén is still remembered in present-day Arabic as Jabal Mawla el-Hassan (Mountain of Mawla el-Hassan).
Geographical Features
Mulhacén is renowned for its remarkable prominence. It is the third-most prominent peak in Western Europe, following Mont Blanc and Mount Etna, and it ranks 64th in the world by prominence. The mountain's north face is notably steeper, offering several routes that involve moderately steep climbing on snow and ice, often graded up to French grade AD in the winter.
Climbing Mulhacén
Mulhacén can be summited in a single day from the nearby villages of Capileira or Trevélez. However, many climbers prefer to extend the adventure by spending a night at the mountain refuge at Poqueira or the bare shelter at Caldera to the west, which provides a more leisurely ascent and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.