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Barranco de Canales o de las Amoladoras

Descent of this long and vertical ravine located in the municipality of Güejar Sierra, very close to the city of Granada.

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Baja Montaña

Low Mountain

Descenso de Barrancos

Canyoning

Invierno

Winter, Autumn, Spring, All year, Summer

Technical data sheet

Technical Difficulty:

Ravine with rappels with altitudes between 4 and 25 m., with dry river bed for the majority of the year and low commitment (V2 A1 (I).

Equipment:

Anchors for rappel made of of sheets of metal with a ring attached with bolts.

Time with stops: 03:45 h.
Details on the duration:
  • Approximation: 0:15 h.
  • Ravine: 3:00 pm.
  • Output: 0:30 h.
Distance: 2,90 Km.
Details on the distance:
  • Ravine: 0,8 km
Negative height gain accumulated: 225,00 m.
Details on the difference:
  • Num. rappels: 15.
  • Alt. max. of the rappels: 25 m.
Minimum altitude: 985,00 m.
Maximum altitude: 1.293,00 m.
Departure point: Hotel-restaurant La Higuera, Km. 16, A-395, Güejar Sierra.
Point of arrival: Mirador de los Enamorados.
Closest/s Population/s : Channels and Pinos Genil.
Municipality/ies: Guëjar Sierra.
Region/s: Vega de Granada.
Natural Space/s: Other Areas

Map & Profile

Mapa Barranco de Canales
Mapa "Barranco de Canales o de las Amoladoras"
Perfil Barranco de Canales
Perfil de la ruta "Barranco de Canales o de las Amoladoras"

Full tour

Total distance: 3703 m

Waypoints

Point Name Time (*) Height Latitude (**) Length (**)
0 Parking at the start 0:00 h. 1.293 m. N37° 08' 37.0" W3° 29' 11.0"
1 Entrance to the ravine (rappel 1) 0:15 h. 1.243 m. N37° 08' 35.0" W3° 28' 54.4"
2 Crashed car 2:20 h. 1.091 m. N37° 08' 42.2" W3° 28' 51.6"
3 Out of the ravine 3:15 h. 1.014 m. N37° 08' 53.3" W3° 28' 41.2"
4 Lane 3:40 pm. 982 m. N37° 09' 12.7" W3° 28' 21.1"
5 Parking at the end 3:45 h. 1.046 m. N37° 09' 25.5" W3° 28' 36.3"

(*) Approximate times counting stops.
(**) Geographic coordinates. European Datum 1.950.

VIDEOCOVER-Barranco-de-las-Amoladoras
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Introduction

To be able to make the descent of this ravine we will have to leave a vehicle in the parking beside the old restaurant Balcón de Canales and use a second vehicle to go to Hotel-restaurant La Higuera, situated in the km. 16 of Carretera de la Sierra. From the parking situated in front of this establishment, opposite the road, we will begin to approach the ravine. Once situated in the bed of the ravine, we will begin to rappel down. The route through the first part of the ravine, the most vertical one, will consist of 10 rappels. In the second part of the ravine, there will be 5 more rappels along with various sections we will climb down. The exit from the ravine will be made by following a path that runs mid-slope through the left slope of the ravine. Said path, in occasions unclear, will lead us to a lane. Once we reach the lane, we will follow it uphill until we reach the Morador de los Enamorados.

The Barranco de Canales o las Amoladoras is a ravine situated near the city of Granada and which is accessed through the Carretera de la Sierra (A-395). This ravine counts with 15 obligatory rappels and stays dry for the majority of the year, which makes it ideal to initiate in canyoning.

Description

DURATION:

The realization of this activity requires 1/2 day.

DIFFICULTY:

Very high. This is a ravine descent which, in consequence, requires knowledge on the specific techniques of canyoneering, the use of proper equipment, and a prior deep understanding of the medium in which the activity is carried out. As in any canyoning activity, there is an evident exposure to falls, with the risk of death. The fixed equipment used for this ravine, and in which depends on the progression and/or the protection against falling in some sections (climb-downs, sheets, handrails, etc), has no type of periodic, regulated maintenance, being a facility promoted by individuals with a desire to be completely selfless. Accordingly, it is the responsibility of each user to see/check if the equipment is in good condition and judge whether or not they can trust it before they use it. The activity is developed inside a gully, which is why its difficulty would vary dramatically if there were water running through the ravine (the dimension of the descent of the ravine would be different from A1). We must never underestimate risks and overestimate our capabilities. In case of doubt, please always resort to a professional ravine guide.

M. I. D. E. Method (tour Information):

Assessment of aspects 1 to 5.

WATER:

If we make the descent through a dry ravine (as the activity proposes), there wouldn't be any running water points in the route.

MATERIAL NEEDED:

Individual: helmet, canyoning boots (dispensable when dry), full wetsuit (dispensable when dry), booties (dispensable when dry), gloves, harness, ropes, anchor (ex: 2 safety carabiners and 2 dynamic ropes), belay device (figure eight or similar, with a security carabiner), material for reinforcing (auxiliary rope...), backpack for canyoning (normal when dry), waterproof bag or box (dispensable when dry), warm clothes, water (1.5-2 l.) and food, charged cell phone, charged headtorch, whistle, pocket knife, lighter, and spare clothing and footwear to leave in the vehicle situated at the exit of the ravine (dispensable when dry).

Collective: 60 m. semi-static rope (optional 30 m. semi-static rope + auxiliary 30 m. rope), figure eight descender (or similar, for detachable anchors), cowstail with two locking biners, first aid kit, topology or description of the ravine and GPS (with spare batteries).

BEST TIME/S:

Throughout the year. Avoid descending the ravine immediately after a rainfall if you pretend to do it like we propose here, in dry.

MATCHING ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES:

  • Barranco del Rinconcillo, Güejar Sierra

REMARKS:

At the time of the writing of this review, the state of the equipment of the ravine is good.

The descent of this ravine counts with no exits.

In the descents of ravines that, as in this case, require to use vehicles to arrive, it is very important to pay attention to the keys to the vehicles during the development of the activity. It could be that, by accident, we could forget the keys of the vehicle situated at the end of the route in the interior of the vehicle parked at the start of the route, which would cause the return on foot to said vehicle.

WEATHER:

 ROAD CONDITIONS:

Before making the descent of the gully it is recommended to consult its conditions (equipment, flow rate, etc). Some of the websites you can consult are:

How to arrive by car

From Granada we exit the highway through exit A-44 in the direction of Motril and take the exit 132 (Ronda Sur/Sierra Nevada/Alhambra/Campus de la Salud/Armilla). Once in Ronda Sur, we take the exit 5B (A-395/Sierra Nevada/Pinos Genil). From here we can only follow the road A-395 and, passed km. 13, we take the turn off to the left that will take us to Canales.

Then, we will all leave in the second of our vehicles. We will go back to the road A-395 and we will continue through it in the direction of Pradollano (Sierra Nevada). Past km. 16, you will find the parking (point, 0, start of the route) for our second vehicle in front of the Hotel-restaurant La Higuera.

Parking

Available.
Parking exit:

Parking next to the old restaurant Balcón de Canales.
https://goo.gl/maps/Td1xvdBjUU6u4N8Y6

Parking arrival:

Hotel-restaurant La Higuera, Km. 16, A-395, Güejar Sierra.
https://goo.gl/maps/RzyFNyW15m7QQPez7

How to get there by public transport

To move from Granada to the Hotel-restaurant La Higuera (located in front of point 0, the start of the route) in public transport, we will have to resort to any of the nearby ways aviable to us. When you arrive there, we will have to make an agreement with the carrier so that they will pick us up in the esplanade located at the end of the Paseo Centenillos of Canales (point 5, end of the route)  around 4:00 hours later to be able to return to Granada.

Route

We will approach the gully from the Carretera de la Sierra, the A-395, concretely from its broad shoulder located at km 16, just in front of the Hotel-restaurant La Higuera, and which serves as a parking space (point 0).

We will begin to walk in a gentle descent through a lane, the beginning of which is located at the south end of the parking space. The path we will follow, which soon turns from lane to trail, runs through the Haza de los Pizarrines and leads directly up to the bed of the ravine.

Embalse de Canales, visto desde la aproximación al barranco
Embalse de Canales, as seen from the approach to the ravine

Once located in the bed of the ravine, we will leave behind a dam, and we will find the anchor of the first rappel (point 1).

The first part of the ravine is very vertical and leads to the realization of 10 rappels. These rappels reach 4,18,13,16,18,19,13,17,13 and 25 meters in height almost in a row and count with well-equipped anchors.

Cuarto y quinto rápel
Fourth and fifth abseil
Sucesión de rápeles (cuarto y quinto) en la primera parte del barranco
Succession of rappels (fourth and fifth) in the first part of the ravine
En la parte final de la primera parte del barranco
In the final part of the first part of the ravine
Llegando al “fondo” del barranco
Arriving at the “bottom” of the ravine

Once the tenth rappelling, the biggest height of the journey is done, the ravine loses verticality. We will pass next to the wreckage of a crashed car (point 2, car that fell from the road) and, from here, and to the exit of the ravine, we will make 5 rappels more, and pass some sections we will have to climb down.

Coche accidentado (punto 2)
Crashed car (2)

These past few rappels reach 8, 5, 10, 4, and 8 meters, being more distant from each other than the ones in the first part of the ravine. Some of them avoid dykes constructed in the bed of the ravine with the objective of lessening the force of the waters that run through it. The equipment of the anchors in these last 5 rappels is more deficient than that of those belonging to the first 10 rappels, counting, some of them with a single point from which to descent.

Once we overcome all the difficulties of the ravine, we will find a path to our left that will take us out of the bed of the ravine at half-slope (point 3).

We must be vigilant, as the trail becomes unclear and, even though it will take us out of the ravine in a gentle ascent, it will begin to descend once we go through two slopes at the sides, becoming clear again, and finally exiting to a secondary lane (point 4). That secondary lane will lead us to a main lane.

Saliendo del barranco, hacia el carril secundario
Coming out of the ravine, down the secondary lane

From the main lane, we will enjoy a broad view of the Embalse de Canales, a reservoir to which the ravine that we have descended pours its infrequent waters.

Ascending through the main lane, before going through the tunnel, we have a path to our left that we will have to climb until we reach the Mirador de los Enamorados.

Panorámica del Embalse de Canales desde el carril principal,  llegando al final de la ruta. Güejar Sierra y su Calar al fondo
Panoramic view of the Embalse de Canales from the main lane,
coming to the end of the path. Güejar Sierra and its Calar in the distance.

The actual Canales is a relatively new town. The remnants of the original Canales are situated under the dominion of the waters in the Embalse de Canales, constructed in the 70s of the last century to regulate the waters of the river Genil and guarantee the supply of water to the city of Granada. On the 11th of October, 1980, the last three inhabitants of the "old" Canales left.

The waters of the Embalse de Canales also hide the route of the old Tramway of the Sierra.

The tracks for GPS in general, and, in particular, registered in ravines, corridors, corners and other tight places, generally contain inaccuracies.

Most of the GPS reflect the graphic scale of the map in the screen. As we activate the zoom of the device, the scale of the map will vary. If we “get closer to the ground,” the scale of the map decreases, and, consequently, we see a smaller amount of “ground” than if we “get away” from it, that is to say, that we increase the scale of the map.

When you follow a downloaded and previously stored track in our GPS, we must ensure that the scale of the map on which the path appears is never too small. We will seek to “get away” from the floor, and we will not obsess with faithfully following the stored track , because we may not notice the inaccuracies that the latter contains.

The precision of the GPS is used to record the route was a, and the GPS that we are using for doing it is another, and therefore, it will be impossible that the points of both tracks, which serves us as a guide and that we are recording, match at 100%. It is for this reason that, even with a single way to move from a particular place, let us note that the track serves us guide runs several meters to the right or to the left of our location.

This website is translated into English. Please note that, in general, there may be a discrepancy between the Spanish and English versions, due to the translation process, and the interpretation that may exist in different countries of the specific terminology of the proposed activities. The Provincial Council of Granada advises the user to be careful when following the instructions on the site, and to consult an expert in case of doubt. The user is aware of the importance of carefully reading these warnings. The use of this website implies the full acceptance of the terms and conditions contained in this legal notice.

Responsibility

The Provincial council of Granada can not assume any liability arising out of the misuse, improper or unlawful use of the information displayed on the Internet page of www.exploregranada.es.

The Provincial council of Granada disclaims any liability resulting from the misuse of the content of its website and reserves the right to update, remove, and restrict or block access when deemed appropriate. It is recommended that each one of the users is responsible and prudent in the mountain. In any case, the user has to take the necessary precautions, for its use involves the exercise of a high-risk activity.

The Provincial council of Granada is not responsible for possible security errors that could be caused by the use of computers infected with viruses. Neither is responsible for the errors caused by the use of browsers with non-updated versions.

The Provincial council of Granada is not responsible for the information that is displayed on web pages outside connected directly or indirectly by links to the page www.exploregranada.es.

The elaboration of these reviews has required the previous realization of the specific activity.

All times described are effective and indicative, having taken into account for their calculation an average group of participants, an average capacity of these and the minimum stops for refreshments and rest.

The information contained in this Website is to effects indicative of tourist practice or sport.

In no case does it involve the organization by the Provincial Council of Granada of the activities described herein.

The properties through which the itineraries run are not owned by the Provincial Council of Granada.

Neither corresponds to the same its maintenance.

In any case, the user has to take the necessary precautions for its use involves the exercise of a high-risk activity.

The equipment, signaling, and any other type of installation on the route may also suffer unforeseen variations with the passage of time, for various reasons such as weather, deterioration, or vandalism; therefore it is strongly recommended to be accompanied by a guide if you do not know the terrain or the situation in which the signaling or equipment are located.

Also, we invite you to document yourselves with books and specialized guides to complement the information described on this website.

Pre-plan the activity. You should obtain reliable and proven information about the route and the activity that is intended to perform, in terms of the physical demands, technique, equipment necessary to make it, etc, In this “design phase” of the activity is where you can act on those elements that generate the risk that the activity entails.

Inform yourselves about the weather in the area. Do not forget that the weather in the mountain is very variable. Today, there are numerous possibilities of obtaining this information. This information is valuable to analyze, evaluate and assess the tolerability of these risks (rain, snow, storms, wind, etc.) which may be present or to accompany the activity. The paths may vary a lot depending on the time of the year and the weather conditions, therefore it is recommended to pay attention to the recommendations made in this regard and check the weather before each departure.

Each one of the participants of an activity must assess whether the weather is or not adverse to their own physical condition and skills to cope with this activity and it is your responsibility to do it or not.

Confirm in the area the prior information. Once you have arrived at the area of the activity to confirm the information previously acquired on the condition of the trails, roads, the snow conditions, weather, water level of the rivers, the situation of the sea to the specific activities that develop there, equipment that could have the sports facility, in case you need them, and dangers arising lately in the path and/or activity etc

This information can be confirmed in the information centers, mountain guides, shelters, Police, etc., The information contained in this website is based on optimal conditions and equipment in good condition to do the activity, and it is not the responsibility of the Provincial council of Granada the conditions of the sport equipment.

Adapt the activity to our physical conditions. Be modest and learn to resign. You have to know to renounce, even though one is very experienced. The mountain will always be there and will wait for us. Always put first the safety of the collective, second the safety of the individual. You should never be too self-confident or lessen your focus, no tter how easy the activity is. The physical ability is fundamental to the realization of any activity in the mountains, so there is no overvaluing our physical abilities, and we have to know how to adapt the paths to our terms. In case of not having sufficient capacity, users should refrain from doing the routes.

Adapt the activity to our technical conditions. For the carrying out of any activity in the mountain and more those that involve some risk, it is necessary to have knowledge of the specific techniques and necessary to carry them out; so we recommend people who do not have the necessary knowledge to refrain from performing any activity, even those that seem easier like hiking. The simple reading of the reviews contained in this website do not train any person for practicing the activity. It is always recommended the accompaniment of guides and staff specialized in the mountains.

Likewise, it requires a prior and deep understanding of the medium in which the activity is carried out, as well as the right time and the optimal conditions to carry it out.

Personal technical equipment. It is absolutely essential to bring the technical material, clothing, footwear, specific documentation, equipment, sun protection, food and water, etc., necessary to perform sports activities. If the activity is of high commitment, it should be expanded to first aid kit and emergency resources. The equipment must be perfectly revised and adjusted to the information and pre-planning.

Subjective objective risks inherent in all sport activities on the mountain. In all athletic activities on the mountain there is an evident exposure to falls with very serious consequences, which may be, but not limited to: brain Trauma, in limbs due to slipping on rocks, in the jumps without any visibility of the bottom, poor reception to the water in the jumps, assurance deficient in the descent of rappelling, extreme tiredness, excess of confidence, lack of preparation or equipment for the activity, inappropriate use of material, hypothermia, and dehydration.

This type of sporting activity involves risks that each participant must know and assume.

We must never underestimate risks and overestimate our capabilities.

It is possible that the fixed equipment the activity counts on (ravines, climbing, etc) and that depends on the progression and/or the protection against the fall in some sections, is not in good condition, as we do not have a regulated periodic maintenance. It is the responsibility of each user to see/check if the material is in good conditions and judge whether or not they can trust in it before you use it.

There are activities which develop in the snow, in places that are very exposed, or in the inside of a course of water, and depending on the time (during defrost, immediately after a snowfall, after a period of rain or storm), could dramatically increase the flow becoming very technical and dangerous. We must never underestimate risks and overestimate our capabilities.

This type of sporting activity involves risks that each participant must know and assume.

As well as an activity in the nature, there may be rock falls, landslides or trees, etc

Guides. In case you go with a guide, you must follow the instructions of the guides, coordinators, or people with more experience, preventing situations of risk, personal or groupal. It is necessary to put in the knowledge of the guides or companions of the activity any possible injury or incident which may affect the development of the activity before and during the athletic activity in nature.

The participants in the activities contained in this website must possess sufficient knowledge and the physical capacity which will enable you to make the specified activities, and to deal with them they must have sufficient capacity, technical and physical, so that they can do it independently and safely. Likewise, they assume the risks inherent in this type of activities and have the knowledge and the equipment needed to perform the activities, and must be approved by the U. E. and in optimum condition for your use.

Do not go alone to the mountain to perform the activity. If you do so, limit yourselves only to places with prior experience, known and consistent with your physical ability and technique. Except in exceptional circumstances, never to leave alone a member of the group, and much less if they're injured or fatigued.

Report on the activity and planned itinerary and respect what has been planned. Communicate to someone (shelter, camping, hotel, friends, relatives) the place and the activity to be performed. And importantly, even if sometimes it is cumbersome, it is imperative to warn that same person of the end of the activity. This recommendation is essential when trying to perform a solo activity.

Graduations. The participants of the activities should be trained to perform the activities in function of the graduation set for each activity, so it is your responsibility to know these rankings and the risks that it involves, therefore you assume performing the activity and everything that could happen.

Learn how to orient yourself. Carry GPS, mapping of the area and compass. You can not trust everything to the GPS, in certain situations it may fail. With a proper handling of the compass and map, we can reduce the risks and prevent accidents.

The tracks for GPS in general, and, in particular, registered in ravines, corridors, corners and other tight places, generally contain inaccuracies.

Most of the GPS reflect the graphic scale of the map in the screen. As we activate the zoom of the device, the scale of the map will vary. If we “get closer to the ground,” the scale of the map decreases, and, consequently, we see a smaller amount of “ground” than if we “get away” from it, that is to say, that we increase the scale of the map.

When you follow a downloaded and previously stored track in our GPS, we must ensure that the scale of the map on which the path appears is never too small. We will seek to “get away” from the floor, and we will not obsess with faithfully following the stored track , because we may not notice the inaccuracies that the latter contains.

The precision of the GPS is used to record the route is one, and the GPS that we are using for doing it is another, and therefore, it will be impossible that the points of both tracks which serves us as a guide and that we are recording, match at 100%. It is for this reason that, even when there is only one way to travel a particular location, let us note that the track that serves us as a guide runs several meters to the right or to the left of our location.

The activity in the mountains is not finished until we return to a safe place. The summit is only half of the journey. Do let your guard down until you're completely safe. This includes returning home in your car. There are too many mountain sports practitioners who have road accidents after a tough activity.

The digital mapping used in this website has been generated by the IGN (National Geographic Institute), to be used according to the conditions of the license of use and in accordance with the Ministerial Order FOM/2807/2015.

If there's any accident alert the emergency number, and even the family members or emergency contact. Every minute is important. To meet this recommendation is necessary to carry a mobile phone with charged batteries or any other means of communication to launch the alarm. The GPS is very useful to properly communicate our position and to facilitate our location. In Spain, the monst useful emergency phone numbers are 112 (Civil Protection), 062 (Civil Guard).

The Provincial council of Granada is not responsible for the correct or incorrect use which might be made of this summary, and the consequences that may arise from it. For this reason, it is recommended to the users to be responsible and prudent while carrying ouit the activities on this website. The use of these reviews implies the user will assume the inherent risks of the activity and involves the recognition of their sole responsibility for the security during the development of the activity. The simple reading of the reviews contained in this website do not train any person to practice the activity. It is always recommended to be accompaniment by guides and staff specialized in the mountains.

The various activities contained in this website, are part of what are considered to be risk sports, and they require learning and experience. This website provides technical information for many sport activities in nature, existing at present in the province of Granada, without managing to include, on occasions, information about the state of conservation and maintenance of the routes, facilities or equipment, if there's any. Therefore, the security contiditions for each and every proposed activity are not guaranteed.

The Provincial council of Granada does not assume in any case any responsibility for accidents that may occur while performing the activities listed here.

The information contained in this website is not intended to replace in any case, the experience of participating in sporting activities in the nature, who should be aware of the risks associated with the practice of these sports that are presented here and assume the responsibility to address these risks.

Some of the areas included in this guide are located within protected natural spaces subject to specific legislation and that the mountaineer should know beforehand.

The Provincial council of Granada does not assume in any case, the legal consequences of any infringements against the current legislation.

For any suggestion, the Provincial council of Granad invites you to send an email to the Contact from the web www.exploregranada.es.