The Sierra Nevada National and Natural Park is a wonder of nature. In the park there are a multitude of peculiarities unique in the world, due to the fact that there are more than 20 peaks over 3,000m; having snow most of the year in a very southern latitude, with a high altitude and many hours of sunshine a year.
There are a large number of unique endemisms, both of plants, some eighty unique species in the world, and of animals; about a hundred among coleopterans, butterflies and beetles.
The views are excellent because the highest peak in the peninsula, Mulhacen, is in Sierra Nevada. The And from many other peaks you can see the Mediterranean, Africa and much of the south of the Peninsula.
There is a ski resort, which usually has a greater quantity of skiable snow, both due to the length of its slopes, as well as the duration of snow on them. As well as the largest number of skiable days with sun.
Some astronomical observatories, which being at a high altitude, have a thinner layer of atmosphere on top, and therefore, less pollution and better visibility.
A large number of water sources on all the slopes, as a result of the amount of existing snow. When in thaw they provide a huge underground marsh throughout the massif.
The snow tunnels are a peculiarity of impressive beauty. It can vary from two weeks to a month, depending on the amount of snow fallen that year.
Late in the spring in the thaw, they form on the grasslands that exist on all the slopes of Sierra Nevada. From the surrounding plains you can see more brown areas than areas of snow, already in the form of strips and white spots, falling from the summits.
As the snow melts, the water drips down the canals, snowdrifts, ravines, etc.
Under the snow, at first the existing gap is small. But as time goes by, an air current is created, through the gap between the water and the snow, the air heats up and forms an upward current, which drills this tunnel, making it bigger and bigger. Likewise, from above, the snow diminishes in level.
The tunnel is more beautiful to see and go through just before it breaks. This will be larger the more snow has fallen in that season and the thicker the snow cover. As the snow thickness is greater, it will take longer to melt and the tunnel will be higher.
If the tunnel exceeds two metres in height, you can walk through it, inside, not over it, because if the layer of snow is not thick, when you step on it, it would break and you would fall into the water on the grassland.
In these tunnels, the luminosity is very variable, being of an exquisite beauty.
According to the reflections of the green of the plants next to the water and the different thickness of the layer of snow above, you’ll see a multitude of tones, which vary from a light emerald green, to a dark English green and different shades of white.
Once the tunnel is broken, a winding, meandering channel is created, with snow on both sides and with a multitude of shapes in its cavities, which the snow creates in its thaw and which are still equally beautiful. It is important to make sure that between the snow and the water, there is space to walk and to be able to pass firmly and safely, as a dip in ice water would not be pleasant.
If you want to visit the Lecrín Valley to discover these wonderful corners, we have a wide variety of accommodations, beautiful rural houses and hotels to choose from; To eat there are different restaurants to choose from, and if you are looking for something different, our active tourism companies offer you all kinds of activities and sensations. We are the Lecrín Valley Rural Tourism.
Association. www.turismovalledelecrin.com
These are some of the routes that can take you to the snow tunnels through the Lecrín Valley:
https://es.wikiloc.com/rutas-senderismo/acequia-de-los-hechos-3736289
https://es.wikiloc.com/rutas-senderismo/pico-del-caballo-desde-la-rinconada-de-
https://es.wikiloc.com/rutas-carrera-por-montana/tuneles-de-nieve-3696939
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