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