Refugio Poqueira

Refugio Poqueira is a mountain refuge located in Capileira, in the Alpujarra of Granada, about 2,500 meters above sea level, on the southern slope of Sierra Nevada and over the Barranco de Poqueira. It is located in a very exposed high mountain enclave, with open views to the peaks and the valley's relief, and has about 100 places in bunk beds according to the official information available. Its main interest is landscape and mountaineering use: it serves as a base for tours around the Mulhacén, the Barranco del Poqueira and access routes from Capileira, as the path of the Cebadilla or Hoya del Portillo. The place attracts by the combination of high mountain horizon, alpine environment and the presence of fauna of summits, besides being a common point of overnight stay and support for hikers. From the environmental point of view, it is part of the system of shelters and accesses of Sierra Nevada, an area of high ecological and landscape value protected. Its location, next to the left bank of the Mulhacén River and in an area with a harsh climate, explains its relevance as a mountain infrastructure and as a reference in the guides and routes of the region. There is no specific local legend associated with the refuge in the sources consulted. What is clear is its role as a natural and rural resource of Capileira, for its integration in the high mountain landscape and for being one of the most recognizable landmarks of the access to the heart of Sierra Nevada.