Quick trail facts
Start: Plataforma de Gredos
Distance: roughly 14 km
Ascent: around 800 to 900 m
Time: 4 to 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate, rocky underfoot
Season: Spring and autumn are ideal
This is one of the classic ways to experience the Sierra de Gredos. You start from the Plataforma parking area and climb steadily into the high granite basin around Laguna Grande.
The terrain is very different from the coastal sierras in Alicante. Everything here feels bigger and more open, with long stretches of rock and sky.
The climb from Plataforma
The first part is a steady uphill on clear mountain paths. It is not technical, but the granite stones keep you paying attention.
As you gain height, the landscape opens up quickly. There is less tree cover, more exposed rock, and wide views back down the valley.
Griffon vultures in Gredos
One of the most striking things about this area is how often you see griffon vultures.
We noticed them early on, circling above the ridges and rock faces. They barely seem to move their wings, just using the warm air rising off the slopes.
They stayed in view for much of the route, sometimes close enough that you could see the shape properly against the sky.
It is a small detail, but it adds something to the run. Gredos can feel quiet on the ground, but there is a lot happening above you.
Laguna Grande basin
Reaching the Laguna Grande area is the turning point of the route. The basin is broad, surrounded by granite walls, and it is a good place to stop briefly before heading back.
The open terrain here makes it easy to spot birds circling high overhead, especially on clear days when thermals start to build.
Practical notes
Carry enough water, especially in warmer months.
Expect rocky footing on the descent as well as the climb.
Early starts are best for cooler temperatures and fewer people on the trail.
On the way down
The return is mostly about careful foot placement on loose stone and enjoying the openness of the landscape.
And again, the vultures are often still there, circling above the granite slopes as you drop back toward Plataforma.