Pico del Caballo

Pico del Caballo
View of the Pico del Caballo behind almond trees
Highest point
Elevation	3,011 m (9,879 ft)[1]
Listing	Mountains of Spain
Coordinates	37°00′43″N 3°26′23″W[1]
Geography
Pico del Caballo Location in southern Spain
Country	Spain
Community	Andalusia
Province	Granada
Parent range	Penibaetic System
Geology
Mountain type	Mica-Schist[2]
Climbing
First ascent	Unknown
Easiest route	From Nigüelas or Lanjarón

Pico del Caballo, Cerro del Caballo or simply Caballo ("horse") is a 3,011-metre (9,879 ft) high mountain in the Sierra Nevada, Spain. It is the westernmost three-thousander of the range.

Climbing

Pico del Caballo can be reached from the towns of Lanjarón and Durcal and also from the Sierra Nevada Ski Station. This ski resort is located at Pradollano, on the northwest flank of Pico de Veleta. There is a hut on the east side of Pico del Caballo at an altitude of 2800 meters. The hut can accommodate eight people and can be used year round. It is categorized as a bivouac, which means that it is intended to give protection only. Other huts, such as the Poqueira hut, are guarded and usually provide meals and heating. Another nearby hut is the Elorrieta hut, at the summit of Tajos de la Virgen mountain. The nearest source of water is the Río Lanjarón on the south side of Pico del Caballo. There are also tiny rivers on the west side of the mountain at an altitude of 2500 metres. These seasonal rivers can be difficult to find sometimes. During the winter months, the mountains of the Sierra Nevada experience alpine conditions, although there are few remaining glaciers anymore. Nevertheless, ice-axes and crampons are essential when climbing in this area.

Around the mountain

Pico de Caballo offers great views of the neighbouring mountains like : Veleta, Mulhacén and Alcazaba. The ridge starting from Caballo continues several km almost at the same altitude, turning at the Tajos de la Virgen mountain (3237 m.). The ridge has become very popular during recent years, as it provides an easy walk and scramble during summer months. From Tajos de la Virgen the ridge turns towards the southwest, ending at the south side of Caballo mountain and making a big letter Y. The highest peak on the southern ridge is Tajo de los Machos at 3088 m. At the middle of the two ridges starts the river Río Lanjarón, 400 m lower. Río Lanjarón flows several km down towards the town of Lanjarón. There are also a few lakes in this wide mountain valley.

References

1. "Topographic map of Cerro del Caballo". opentopomap.org. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
2. Delgado Calvo-Flores: Geología, Geomorfología y Suelos, en Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada, Canseco Edt., Talavera de la Reina 2001. ISBN 84-932095-1-1

External links

• Subida al Pico del Caballo (3015 metros)