SIERRA DE GRACIA
ARCHIDONA, SPAIN
VIA FERRATA (AD / K3)
PHYSICAL RATING: 2
VERTIGO RATING: 2
TECHNICAL RATING: 3
SUMMIT RATING: 4
SATISFACTION: 2
COURSE TYPE: CLIMB
STATISTICS
Departure Altitude: 830m
Arrival Altitude: 940m
Climb (or descent): 110m
Length: 268m
Time: 1-1.5 hours
SPECIAL FEATURES
Footbridge: 0
Monkey Bridge: 1
Ladder: 0
Zip Line: (1 optional)
Net: 0
ACCESSIBILITY
Open: Year round
Parking: Car parking spaces near the entrance of the Via Ferrata on the junction of Cale Prta Hoya and Cale Alta (on google maps as "Aparcamiento via ferrata Sierra de Gracia)
WHAT TO KNOW!
Welcome to Archidona, a small town about 50km north of Malaga in the heart of Andalusia.
Here you find the Via Ferrara Sierra de Gracia on the northern side of the town, on the rock face which stands below the imposing Fortaleza above the town. You can park near the base of the via ferrata, and then follow a well signposted track "Via Ferrata Sierra de Gracia" up around 800m to a path on the right hand side of the track. Here, there is an information board about the via ferrata and a zig zag path takes you up to the start point.
Allegedly this is a K3 climb, but in my view it is a K4 climb with 2 noticeable overhangs and a very "loose" wire bridge with low hold rails.
The VF was not in the best of condition, as 1 or 2 stimples were missing meaning I had to do a bit of a leap! I am not expert at other Spanish VF's but I don't think you would find the same condition on Swiss trails. The stimples are pretty widely spaced and I think if you are quite short you will struggle a little.
The course is pretty short, it took me only 40 mins to complete, and the path down was just as long. The views at the top are really nice, and the design of the course was pretty good with only a few too many clipping points at some places. The Sanctuary at the top provides a great setting for the end of the course, and from here you can take a path around the base of the rock back down to the start, or alternatively you can take a stroll through this pretty little Andalusian town.
