The Los Vados cordata above Vélez de Benaudalla is a longer day than a village ferrata, about two kilometres on the wall of the Tajo de los Vados with around 220 metres of height. You will be on staples and cables for most of the morning, with a metal-grid balcony high on the face and views towards Motril, Salobreña and the sea.
From the parking you kit up and walk about ten minutes on a narrow zigzag path to the wall, already roped together. After a short safety brief you climb steel staples to a large terrace, continue to the first kit-exchange stop, then move onto a narrow balcony about a foot wide before a zigzag lifeline and a snack stop on another terrace.
The next section is steeper staples, a descending balcony and another kit stop, then a last climb with the sea in view and a pause on the metal-grid ledge for photos before the summit. Coming down takes about forty minutes along the ridge to La Canal and back along the approach. The time on the cordata is a little over three hours, and the whole outing is about four.
The Tajo de los Vados is a big limestone wall near Vélez de Benaudalla, on the road country between Motril and the A-44. The face itself is around 350 metres high, and the cordata uses equipped staples and lateral steps to gain height without feeling like a full rock climb.
We confirm the lay-by and meeting time after checking access and the forecast. Bring more water than you would for a two-hour village ferrata, because the walk out is in the open. Winter days often run ten until two or two until six; summer usually starts around nine so you are not on hot rock at midday.
This is an intermediate K4 cordata, so you should already have done at least three K3 ferratas, or be able to climb around grade V outdoors. You need enough fitness for a half-day on your feet and a sensible head for exposure, including that narrow balcony.
Minimum age is 14, and we keep this one to four people per guide so the line does not become a queue. If you are new to exposure, tell us when you request a date and we can say whether this is the right outing or whether a shorter village ferrata would suit you better.
We run these cables through the year, so we know which line feels friendly in heat, wind or winter shade. Your guide is a mountain guide who specialises in this kind of day, fits harness, helmet and dissipating lanyard at the car, and talks you through clipping and transitions before anyone steps onto the first stem. Groups stay small enough that someone is watching every lanyard on the bridges and the airier steps.
You will get clear instructions in English or Spanish, a walk-in that does not wear you out before the interesting bits, and digital photos and videos from the line. We would rather shift the start with the season than stand you on the hottest rock or the iciest cable, and we can point you to another ferrata in the province if you have a second day free.
From the parking you kit up and walk about ten minutes on a narrow zigzag path to the wall, already roped together. After a short safety brief you start up steel staples on the Tajo de los Vados.
You climb to a large terrace, continue to a kit-exchange stop, then move onto a narrow balcony about a foot wide before a zigzag lifeline and a snack stop. Steeper staples, a descending balcony and another kit stop lead to a last climb with the sea in view and a pause on the metal-grid ledge for photos. Time on the cordata is a little over three hours.
Coming down takes about forty minutes along the ridge to La Canal and back along the approach. We return the kit at the cars and take digital photos from the balcony and the summit. The whole outing is about four hours.
Flexible clothing, sun protection, water and snacks for the duration. Approach shoes with grip suit most venues; bring a light waterproof and extra layer for mountain or coastal wind.
You need to be at least 14. We welcome complete beginners, and we are just as happy if you have climbed indoors and want your first proper day on rock around Los Vados. The difficulty is adapted to how you move on the day.
Tell us a bit about your experience when you request a date. We will pick routes that fit you rather than guessing on the morning, and we will keep the briefing in English or Spanish as you prefer.
Most of our open dates are Saturdays and Sundays, which is how we usually run these days through the year. If one of those works, just request a place on that day and we will confirm the meet once it is accepted.
If you would rather go midweek, or only with your own friends, send us a date and how many of you there are. We will check a guide is free and get back to you by chat or email with the plan.
The activity itself is about 4 hours, plus a bit of time at the start for kit and the walk in to the sector. Lunch is a short stop with food you bring, except on indoor course days where we use the gym break.
Start times change with the season and the venue, because we chase shade in summer and sun in winter. Once your date is confirmed we will send the meet time, parking notes and what to bring.
You get a qualified mountain guide who specialises in this kind of day, plus a harness, helmet and ferrata lanyard, and any extra ropes we need on the line. We also take digital photos and videos during the session to send you afterwards.
Meals, drinks, accommodation and getting yourself to the meeting point are down to you. Transport can sometimes be arranged separately if you ask ahead. Bring water and a snack that will last the session.
Wear clothes you can move in, with a layer for wind and a bit of sun cream. Trainers or approach shoes with grip are better than smooth soles, and we ask you not to come in flip-flops, sandals or clogs.
A small rucksack with at least a litre of water is enough for most ferratas. Gloves help on the cables, and sunglasses are useful even in cooler months because the rock reflects a lot of light. A light waterproof and a snack keep you comfortable on the walk out.
It depends on the exact sector near Los Vados and the weather that week. We decide the pin and the arrival time in the days before, so we can use the rock that is in the best condition.
Granada days often start from Plaza Alta in Monachil or a crag car park a few minutes away. Coastal and Alicante routes use a meet point closer to that cliff, and we send clear directions once the date is accepted.
We need dry rock and sensible wind. If it looks poor, we will message you as early as we can and either move venue or look at another day, because forcing a session on wet limestone is not useful for anyone.
High Sierra Nevada faces are the fussiest, and leftover snow or strong wind can close them even in summer. We would rather shift the date than stand around in poor conditions at that height.
If you are happy walking on rocky paths and standing in a harness for a few hours, you will cope with the day. We adapt the routes to how you move, so you do not need a specific indoor grade before you come.
We keep groups to 4 people per guide, so you still get time on the rock and someone watching how you move. That ratio is how we run these days through the year around Los Vados.
Yes. We issue a harness and helmet at the meet, plus climbing shoes or a ferrata lanyard if that is what the day needs. Tell us your shoe size if we ask for it.
You are welcome to use your own harness or helmet if it is CE marked. We will give it a quick check before we start.
Read the meet-time message and give yourself a few extra minutes for parking. A charged phone with the pin saved is enough.
When you book, tell us what you have climbed before. That helps us pick the right ropes and keep the day at a pace you will enjoy.
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About the centre
Monachil
We are a Granada-based outdoor climbing team offering guided rock routes, via ferratas, kit hire and multi-day trips across Andalusia and beyond. Sessions are led by qualified guides who focus on safety, clear communication and routes matched to your experience.
Whether you want a first day on the rock, a classic multi-pitch on local limestone, or ferrata kit for an independent adventure, we help you plan realistic days in the mountains with quality equipment and local knowledge of the Sierra Nevada and Costa Blanca crags.
Operated by Filoclimb, a partner of adventuro.
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