Granada Sierra Nevada: Snowshoe hike with guide & transport

Summary

Snowshoeing in Sierra Nevada: crisp air, laughter, and new tracks

You’ll join a local guide for a snowshoe hike in Sierra Nevada near Granada, learning how to walk on fresh snow while soaking up mountain views. Private transport, equipment, snacks, and pro photos are included — plus plenty of laughs and quiet moments you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

“The snow here is different — it squeaks under your feet,” our guide José said, grinning as he handed me the snowshoes at Hoya de la Mora. I’d never worn these before (they look like something out of a cartoon), but he showed us how to strap them on and suddenly walking on deep snow felt almost easy. The air up there at 2,500 meters is sharp and clean — you can smell pine and something colder than cold, if that makes sense. We’d left Granada less than an hour ago but it felt like another world already.

The first few steps were awkward — I kept looking down to check if the snowshoes were still attached (they were). José led us off the usual hiking trail, pointing out where the ski resort was way off in the distance. “We don’t need lifts,” he joked, “just legs and good company.” There was this moment when we stopped for water and a nut bar (included, thankfully — I forgot snacks), and all you could hear was wind and our breathing. It’s weirdly quiet up there except for someone’s laugh echoing off the white hills.

I tried to say “Sierra Nevada” with a proper Andalusian accent — José laughed so hard he nearly dropped his camera (he took photos for us, which is good because my gloves made my phone useless). The walk itself was about three hours but didn’t feel long; maybe because we kept stopping to poke at animal tracks or just stare at the view back toward Granada. My legs got tired near the end but honestly? I still think about that silence and how bright everything looked. The drive back felt slower somehow — maybe I just didn’t want it to end.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Snowshoe Hiking in Sierra Nevada

• Drive to University Hostel
• Snowshoe hike in Hoya de la Mora
• Drive back to Granada

Top questions

How long does the snowshoe hike in Sierra Nevada take?

The activity lasts about 4 hours total: around 50 minutes driving each way from Granada and approximately 3 hours walking on snowshoes.

Is previous experience needed for this snowshoe hiking tour?

No previous experience is required; the guide will show you how to use the equipment.

Where does the tour start from in Granada?

The tour includes private transportation from Granada city center to Hoya de la Mora in Sierra Nevada.

What’s included in the price of this day trip?

The price includes private transport, bottled water, professional photos, snowshoes (“rackets”), nut bar snack, hiking poles, and insurance as per Andalusian regulations.

Is lunch provided during the hike?

No full lunch is provided; a nut bar snack and bottled water are included.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Infants must sit on an adult’s lap; travelers should have moderate fitness. Not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with certain health conditions.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation from Granada to Hoya de la Mora in Sierra Nevada, all necessary equipment like snowshoes (“rackets”) and hiking poles, bottled water and a nut bar snack along the trail, professional photographs taken by your guide during the walk, plus both civil liability and accident insurance according to Andalusian regulations before returning comfortably to Granada.