Poqueira Gorge North
& The Acequías

Sunday, 2nd June 2013

Distance: 13.4 miles
Total Ascent: 3,450 feet
Total Descent: 3,450 feet
Maximum Altitude: 7,077 feet
Time: 6.5 hours
Weather: Sunny with a cool breeze

 

Another walk directly from the hotel but this time heading up the Poqueira Gorge. We stayed on the East bank of the river and made our way to the power station, La Cebadilla, where we found a quiet spot for elevenses. Climbing up into the Toril Valley we headed towards the Goat Farm (San Thomas), stopping at a rocky outcrop for lunch. After passing the farm we reached the Route of the Upper Acequías.
The acequías are irrigation ditches that slope along the sides of the mountains carrying the reliable supply of water from snowmelt of the Sierra Nevada to the villages and smallholdings in the valleys. Originally cut by the Romans but massively extended by the Moors, they are what turned this valley from a wild, semi-barren string of crags into fertile terraced hillsides.
A very pleasant stretch took us alongside one of the acequías for a time but we eventually we had to leave the murmur of water over stones to make our way along a wide track and back down to Capileira.

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

The main part of the Meson Poqueira . . .

 

with our accommodation in the annexe opposite

 

Al points out our route . . .

 

which is shown by the orange dotted line

 

Looking back to Capileira . . .

 

before reaching a wide track to head up the gorge . . .

 

to the power station

 

Water is drawn . . .

 

from a couple of valleys

 

Heading into . . .

 

the upper valley . . .

 

we find a pleasant spot for lunch . . .

 

with views back down the way we have come

 

At the goat farm . . .

 

 a horse befriends the scarecrow

 

Looking back over the goat farm to the High Sierras

 

A contouring path . . .

 

provides views across the valley . . .

 

and up to Mulhacen

 

The High Sierras in panorama

 

Having reached the acequías . . .

 

there is time for . . .

 

a little flower photography . . .

 

as we stop for a break

 

A path has been developed . . .

 

right on the edge of the irrigation channels . . .

 

so that we can make the most of their beauty

 

Heading back into Capileira

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