El Pozo de los Frailes: Noria, Cultural Heritage and Hiking Trails

The restored Noria del Pozo de los Frailes historically ensured the water supply for people and livestock in an extremely dry environment.

Culture and History

The complex comprises a noria, a washhouse and a livestock trough. An animal-powered waterwheel carried water to the public washhouse and public livestock trough. The noria was therefore not an isolated structure, but part of a waterworks system in which water was drawn, conveyed and made available for different purposes. The complex was built at the beginning of the 20th century by a large landowner to irrigate his estates. Surplus water was used for this purpose. The facility remained in use until the 1980s.

The Molino del Pozo de los Frailes is listed with the year 1805 in an Andalusian cultural heritage database. Níjar's official 2026 festival calendar lists the local celebrations in El Pozo de los Frailes from 24 to 26 July.

Town Centre and Natural Park

The Noria del Pozo de los Frailes information point is a small kiosk in a landscaped area. It provides information about Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. In the town centre, the kiosk is next to the restored noria. The information point and the historic waterworks are therefore located directly within the same part of the town.

From San José towards Níjar, El Pozo de los Frailes is located on the AL-3108. The town is two kilometres from San José. The location of the information point in the town centre connects the park information with the neighbouring historic waterworks.

Hiking Trails and Landscape

The S04 hiking trail crosses various habitats within the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Geopark. Its route also lies within the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Biosphere Reserve. S04 directly connects El Pozo de los Frailes with San José via the AL-3108 and can be accessed from either town.

The S06 Escullos–Pozo de los Frailes hiking trail passes through hilly terrain between volcanic mountains. There are sea views along the route. The trail also passes abandoned grain fields. On S06, hilly terrain, volcanic mountains and abandoned grain fields alternate, with sea views appearing along the route.

Among other species, the great bustard and the lesser kestrel can be observed on S06. The black redstart relative Tarabilla, described as a migratory bird, is also present. Ocellated lizards and horseshoe snakes can also be observed along the trail.

Cerro de los Frailes lies along the S06 hiking trail. It is considered the largest volcanic outcrop in the natural park. Its two volcanic domes reach a height of 493 metres.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations here: Los Albaricoques, La Isleta, Las Negras, Rodalquilar, San Jose-Nijar.

For the higher-level travel overview: Nijar.