La Cebadilla Trail, from Capileira (PR-A 69)

The La Cebadilla trail leaves Capileira, the highest village in the Poqueira gorge, descends to the hamlet of the river's hydroelectric power station and returns by the other slope. It is circular, 7.5 km, estimated at about four hours, and the Junta rates it medium difficulty, with a maximum height difference of 315 metres between 1,290 and 1,605 metres. It is the way to see the gorge from the inside, among terraces, farmhouses, irrigation channels and pools.

By mule track to the power station

You start in the upper part of Capileira, the Castillo district, where the path to La Cebadilla begins; at the start there is a car park of about 45 spaces. The first stretch is the steepest and is cobbled, like the mule tracks made for pack animals. You gain height quickly over the terraced slopes, with Sierra Lújar to the south and the high peaks to the north. The path reaches the Los Lugares irrigation channel, follows it for a while and climbs to the La Cebadilla track, which you take to the left for a kilometre.

The old power station hamlet is almost abandoned, in a narrow, shady corner. The power station, which is still working, stands a little higher up, at 1,540 metres, where the Toril and Naute rivers meet to form the Poqueira.

Return by the other slope

At La Cebadilla you cross the river by a bridge and climb about 600 metres along a narrow track to the Abuchite farmhouse, at the first sharp bend; there a wooden marker shows the return path. It descends gently for about two kilometres among farmhouses and terraces to the Prado Largo ravine and the Poqueira river, where there is a cool poplar grove and pools. You cross by the Abuchite bridge and climb the other side towards Capileira. Just before entering the village, on the right, are the Aldeire threshing floors, turned into a viewpoint over the gorge and the peaks.

Before setting out

There is little shade except beside the river. Take water and check that the springs are drinkable, and shoes with a firm sole for the cobbles. No authorisation is needed.

If you still feel like walking, the Poqueira villages trail links Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira. Before or after, explore the streets of Capileira and its museum. To sleep next to the start, the Hotel Finca Los Llanos is at the entrance to Capileira.