Park the car at the forestry recreation site at Puente Palo above the towns of Lanjaron, Soportujar and Cañar. Head left up the main forest track. After some 45 minutes take the second main track leading right which crosses a stream after 200m. The trees begin to thin out and we emerge on open hillside on the west side and above the Rio Chico. The path winds it’s way around and up the hillside before levelling out. A slight downhill leads to the Rio Chico itself. Care is required in crossing here, especially after rains.

Cross the river and follow an indistinct path trending rightwards to avoid forest and steep ground. The path then heads back into the upper forest. Much of the path hereabouts is blocked by fallen trees so some diversionary tactics will have to be employed. Below the large prominent outcrop of rock a left turn is made (north) and the track levels. Now it is 10 minutes to the hut along a gentle track. Total 3hrs.

The hut is perched on a lovely shelf on the western slopes of Las Alegas at some 2600m height. It has seen better days. The doors are hanging off although some efforts have been made to put windows in. Maybe this will be a site for our next refugio restoration effort for “Acción Sierra Nevada”? It is a superb situation however, and makes for a fine night in the mountains, especially with spectacular sunsets over the Mediterranean sea.

To visit the summit of Las Alegas (worth it for the fantastic views NE to Mulhacen and the main Sierra Nevada ridge line) climb the slopes behind the hut, easier to the right (45 mins)

For a longer round, leave the hut and trend upwards in a northerly direction following the line of Rio Chico. This brings you to a col where it is easy to ascend to the wonderful summits of Cerrillo Redondo or Tajos de los Machos (2hrs). A return can be made south along the ridge and then via the forest breaks to the start point of the walk (10hrs).

The Cebollar hut

Inside the Cebollar hut

Anna with Las Alegas and the white speck of the hut behind

David at the hut with Tajos de los Machos behind

The hut guardians, Rafael and Ansi, are most helpful and friendly and we recommend you to spend some time there. The hut is very useful for ascents of Mulhacen and other peaks on the south side of the Sierras. Also useful during a traverse of the 3000m peaks (Los Tres Miles) as a place to recuperate and resupply.

It is advisable to book in advance if you wish to stay at the hut. The contact details are as follows:
Guardians: Rafael Quintero y Ansi Mosiero
Telephone: +34 958 34 33 49
Mobile: +34 659 55 42 24
Email: refugiopoqueira@hotmail.com

Access Routes

From Capileira (Central Electrico):
Follow the left hand side of the Poqueira Gorge upwards gaining height gradually until the head of the gorge is reached after 2 hours. Here climb steeply up to Cortijo Thomas. Climb up the spur behind the cortijo until at about 2400m a traverse leftwards reaches the hut. Total time about 4 hours. This is normally the best approach in winter.

From Hoya del Portillo:
At the road end by the ranger station you can take the well marked path up through the forest. Above the forest a sign points the way traversing left along the hillside before a slight descent to the hut. Total time is 2.5 hours.

Alta de Chorillo and the Morador de Trevelez:
Take the same path from the Hoya de Portillo but on leaving the upper edge of the forest keep going up until the road is rejoined. Follow this until the Mirador de Trevelez is reached in 2 hours. 500m further on northwards take the left track which leads gently downhill to the hut. Total time 3 hours. We find this route a bit boring and it is normally better reserved for a speedy descent.

WEATHER

Poqueira Hut 3 day weather forecast

To the best of our knowledge the following have reciprocal rights for reduced Poqueira Refugio hut and meal fees:
Federacion Andaluza de Montanismo
Austrian Alpine Club
Deutscher Alpenverein
Club Alpin Francais
Italian Alpine Club
Club Alpin Swiss

The affiliations normally run from January to December each year and are very good value. Rather surprisingly, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) does not have these reciprocal rights with Andalucian huts.

By showing your affiliated card the price of a nights stay at the Poqueira hut drops from about 11 to 5 euros and a similar drop is experienced in meal costs.

If only climbing or trekking in Andalucia I would recommend the Federacion Andaluza de Montanismo. As we climb throughout the world we use the Austrian Alpine Club.

Prices 2008

There are various pricing structures available. These are based on 2008 prices and are in euros at todays date.

Federacion Andaluza de Montanismo €57 per year including insurance, rescue and repatriation cover.
Austrian Alpine Club – €42 per year including insurance, rescue and repatriation cover.
The Rest – Similar in price to the AAC (above)