Refugio Giner de los Ríos

The Refugio Giner de los Ríos is a guarded mountain refuge located in the central area of La Pedriza, within the Sierra de Guadarrama in the Community of Madrid, Spain. It sits at an altitude of 1,200 metres in the valley of the Dehesilla stream, on the boundary between the Pedriza Anterior and the Pedriza Posterior, administratively within the municipality of Manzanares el Real. The refuge is owned by the Real Sociedad Española de Alpinismo Peñalara (R.S.E.A. Peñalara) and has been in operation since its inauguration on 15 May 1916, making it the first refuge owned and initiated by that society. It was named after Francisco Giner de los Ríos, founder of the Institución Libre de Enseñanza and a great lover of the Guadarrama mountains. During the long post-war period, its name was changed to José del Prado, but the original name has since been restored. The refuge offers accommodation and food to visitors, typically open on weekends and during holiday periods. It has a room with continuous bunk beds, mattresses and blankets, providing a capacity of 44 places according to the official website, while Wikipedia states a capacity of fifty people. Services include a bar, breakfasts and dinners, blankets, running water, an emergency radio, a first-aid kit and guide services. The refuge is guarded by Guzmán García. Access is via a path marked with white and red signs (typical of long-distance trails) starting from Canto Cochino, a area with parking and a restaurant; the walk takes about 45 minutes. The refuge was built thanks to numerous contributions from a popular subscription that began with King Alfonso XIII. The land was donated free of charge to the Real Sociedad Peñalara by its owner, a certain Guijarro, a resident of Manzanares el Real, who granted that location instead of another, more favourable one situated in the lower meadow, for eminently agricultural and livestock reasons. Construction works began in December 1914 and the refuge was solemnly inaugurated on 15 May 1916. Today it continues to serve mountaineers and visitors as a traditional mountain hostelry in one of the most emblematic natural areas of the Sierra de Guadarrama.

The Refugio Giner de los Ríos was built in response to the growing enthusiasm for mountaineering in the Sierra de Guadarrama in the early 20th century. Construction works began in December 1914 on land donated free of charge to the Real Sociedad Peñalara by a local owner named Guijarro, a resident of Manzanares el Real. The site was chosen for agricultural and livestock reasons rather than for its scenic advantages, as Guijarro preferred to keep the more favourable lower meadow for himself. The refuge was funded through a popular subscription that was initiated by King Alfonso XIII, who made several financial contributions. It was solemnly inaugurated on 15 May 1916 and was the first refuge owned and initiated by the Real Sociedad Española de Alpinismo Peñalara. It was named after Francisco Giner de los Ríos, founder of the Institución Libre de Enseñanza and a great lover of the Guadarrama. During the long post-war period, the refuge's name was changed to José del Prado, but the original name has since been restored. The refuge has been guarded by Guzmán García and continues to operate as a mountain hostelry, open on weekends and during holiday periods, serving visitors to La Pedriza.

• 1916

  The refuge is solemnly inaugurated on 15 May, becoming the first refuge owned and initiated by the Real Sociedad Española de Alpinismo Peñalara.

• 1914

  Construction works begin in December on the future refuge of La Pedriza.

• During the long post-war period, the refuge's name is changed to José del Prado.

• The original name, Refugio Giner de los Ríos, is restored.

A historic, traditional mountain refuge in La Pedriza, offering basic hostelry services to hikers and mountaineers.

• Overnight accommodation

  A room with continuous bunk beds, mattresses and blankets, with a capacity of 44 places according to the official website (50 according to Wikipedia).

• Meals and drinks

  Home-style meals, breakfasts and dinners, and a bar service; advance notice is required.

• Guided activities and courses

  Guided mountain activities and courses are offered.

1. 1Refugio Giner de los Rios - La Pedrizarefugioginer.com
2. 2Refugio Giner de los Ríos - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Refugio Giner de los Ríos - Wikipedia (Spanish)es.wikipedia.org