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What can you see from Pico Veleta?

Its old summit road was once the highest paved route in all of Europe.

37.0558, -3.3661 · 3,390 m · Spain Copernicus GLO-30 · 2,385,124 terrain samples
334 kmMaximum visible distance
185 kmAverage visible distance
3,390 mObserver elevation
1,168Named features in view

From Pico Veleta, the terrain-limited line of sight reaches up to 334 km. The single farthest piece of visible terrain lies 334 km to the southeast (bearing 139°), at 1,436 m elevation. These results account for Earth's curvature and standard atmospheric refraction, computed from 30-meter resolution Copernicus GLO-30 elevation data across 2,385,124 terrain samples.

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Visibility by direction

The horizon is most open toward the southeast, where sightlines run 296 km on average; terrain closes the view down fastest to the east, at 12.3 km.

Visible distance by compass direction from Pico Veleta
Visible distance by compass direction from Pico Veleta — outer ring ≈ 334 km.
N154 km
NNE143 km
NE131 km
ENE70.1 km
E12.3 km
ESE138 km
SE296 km
SSE284 km
S248 km
SSW259 km
SW257 km
WSW191 km
W163 km
WNW238 km
NW198 km
NNW176 km

Farthest named landmarks in view

1,168 named peaks, hills and headlands stand inside this viewshed. These are the farthest ones you could pick out on a clear day:

LandmarkVisible distanceDirectionElevation
Djebel es Sat333 kmSE · 138°1,353 m
Djebel Somsal333 kmSE · 139°1,438 m
Toumzayet327 kmSSE · 151°1,797 m
Djebel ed Demamene320 kmSE · 141°1,413 m
Djebel Miez319 kmSE · 139°1,119 m
Temâsskhet316 kmSSE · 148°1,395 m

About Pico Veleta

Pico Veleta, at 3,396 metres, is the second-highest peak of the Sierra Nevada, and the road that once climbed almost to its top was, for decades, the highest paved road in Europe. Since 1984 its upper slopes have hosted the IRAM 30-metre telescope, one of the world's most sensitive instruments for observing radio waves from deep space, sited there for the exceptionally thin, dry air. The old summit road is now closed to general traffic above the ski station, though hikers, cyclists, and observatory staff still use it to reach the top.

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Frequently asked questions

How far can you see from Pico Veleta?

On a clear day the terrain allows a line of sight of up to 334 km from Pico Veleta. The average visible distance across all 360 directions is 185 km. Atmospheric conditions (haze, humidity) usually reduce practical visibility below the terrain-limited maximum.

What is the farthest point visible from Pico Veleta?

The farthest terrain visible from Pico Veleta lies 334 km to the southeast, at an elevation of 1,436 m. Earth's curvature and atmospheric refraction are accounted for in this calculation.

How high is Pico Veleta?

The observation point at Pico Veleta sits at 3,390 m above sea level (Copernicus GLO-30 elevation model).

How is this visibility map calculated?

UpToWhere traces lines of sight in 360 directions from the observer using 30 m-resolution Copernicus terrain data, correcting for Earth curvature and standard atmospheric refraction. You can run the same analysis for any point on Earth with the free calculator.

Run your own analysis

Want to know what you can see from your house, a summit you're planning to climb, or a plot of land? UpToWhere computes the same 360° viewshed for any point on Earth in seconds — free.

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