Spanish 3 Peaks Trek

When does the trek take place?

The trek will take place from Wednesday 13 September 2023 to Sunday 17 September 2023.

What do I have to do to take part?

Simply sign up online with Global Adventure Challenges and pay your £199 registration fee. We will be in touch after we receive your registration and will send you a fundraising pack in the post.

How can I reach the fundraising target?

We know that committing to raise a specific amount can seem a bit daunting. That’s why our team are here to support you every step of the way. We’d recommend starting off by creating a JustGiving page and sharing this around family, friends and colleagues.

You’ll then need to think about organising some events to help bring in additional funds: bake sales, quiz nights and family fun days are some events previous supporters have organised. 

What if I can’t raise the minimum sponsorship?

We will provide you with lots of ideas on how to reach your target, our events team will also be on hand throughout to offer support and advice. However, if you do not manage to raise the £1,800 12 weeks prior to departure, you must either forfeit your place on the challenge or make up the shortfall yourself. You’ll have until 4 weeks after the challenge to pay in the remainder of your fundraising.

When do I have to pay in my sponsorship?

You will need to raise a minimum of £2,250 in total. However, The Christie must receive 80% of the minimum sponsorship (£1,800) 12 weeks before departure to confirm your place on the challenge. The remainder of your fundraising must be with us within 4 weeks of the event taking place.

Who organises the trip?

The trip is operated by Global Adventure Challenges, ATOL 6506 – booking conditions apply.

How much support will I receive on the challenge?

Our trip operator Global Adventure Challenges work very closely with a local ground handler who employs local guides who will assist them in delivering the challenge. Most of our international challenges have a UK Challenge Leader travelling with the group, offering extra levels of support. In addition, every high-altitude challenge will have a medic or doctor present, offering specific medical support.

What is the minimum age to take part?

18 years on or before the day of travel. 14 to 17-year-olds can join us if they are accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Please note, this must be one-on-one. One parent or guardian cannot accompany two 14 to 17-year-olds.

How fit do I need to be?

Global Adventures’ advice is that you need to have a reasonable level of fitness to take part, but you do not need to be ‘super fit’ or a professional athlete! It is suggested that you slowly build up your fitness levels in the lead up to your challenge.

What will the hike be like?

The challenge has been graded as ‘tough’ by Global Adventures challenges. A ‘tough’ trek features more demanding activities and the days are generally longer and harder than a challenge graded as ‘challenging’. 

Where will we stay while hiking? 

We will use a mixture of hotels and mountain refuges on this challenge. 

Why is the registration fee non-refundable?

The registration fee forms part of the total challenge cost and is used by Global Adventures to process your registration, vet your medical form and also to secure suppliers linked with your challenge. It is non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another participant under any circumstance. We strongly suggest you obtain travel insurance immediately after registration, to cover this cost element of your challenge.

What about travel insurance?

For international events, travel insurance is compulsory.

Day 1 

We depart the UK from a North West airport (Manchester or Liverpool) for Spain and transfer to our hotel. Here we enjoy dinner and a good night’s sleep before starting our challenge in the morning! 

Day 2: Veleta (3,394m) 

We make the transfer from Lanjarón to the Hoya de la Mora, located at 2,500m. From here the challenge begins! We begin our ascent of the north ridge of Veleta, the third highest peak in mainland Spain. The trekking is rough and rocky, and our journey to the summit will take approximately 3 hours.
From the summit, there are outstanding views in all directions, especially southwards where on a clear day we can see as far as Morocco! After we’ve taken in the views, we head south to the Col de Cariguela, and follow tracks past the Paso de los Machos until we reach the head of the Rio Seco Valley. Many ibex can be seen on the slopes during the day, and the area is also popular with Golden Eagles and Griffon Vultures! We drop down and descend trackless slopes before contouring around a headland and reaching the Refugio Poqueira for dinner and an overnight stay. 

Trek distance - approx. 16km 

Day 3: Mulhacén (3,482m) 

After breakfast, we traverse into the Rio Mulhacén Valley and head upwards until we reach Caldera hut, which lies in a vast bowl of majestic peaks. From here, we ascend the steep and rocky west flank of Mulhacén, the highest peak in mainland Spain.
We reach the summit after approximately 4 hours, and from here we can see the whole chain of the Sierra Nevada range! We descend the long and gentle south ridge before dropping steeply southwest directly down to the Refugio Poqueira, where it’s time to relax before dinner. 

Trek distance - approx. 11km 

Day 4: Alcazaba (3,371m)

We make an early start today in preparation for the toughest day of our challenge – the ascent of Alcazaba, located to the north of Mulhacén. We climb up steadily to the Alta del Chorrillo and follow the south ridge for an hour, before following the eastern traverse of Mulhacén to Siete Lagunas. There may still be perennial snow patches to cross here.
Siete Lagunas is a beautiful place – a lush green valley with 7 lakes surrounded by dramatic peaks. After replenishing our water supplies in the cool waters, we ascend the valley before tackling a steep scree gully that leads to the summit plateau. Alcazaba takes its name from the Arabic word for fortification or fortress, and we’ll soon understand why!
After taking our celebratory photos at the summit, we make our way back down the mountain. The descent to our rest stop at Siete Lagunas is made via the southeast flank. We then descend to Trevelez and take our transport back through the Alpujarras to our hotel in Lanjarón for a celebratory meal. 

Trek distance - approx. 21 km 

Day 5

Finally, we transfer to Malaga Airport where we depart for the UK and continue our onward journeys home. 

(Itinerary correct at time it was published, and strictly subject to change).