8 unforgettable routes through the Picos de Europa

ALBA LLANO OLAY

Limestone seas, vertiginous ravines, lush forests, green meadows, enormous jous... The Picos de Europa are one of those unique paradises for lovers of hiking. Precisely for this reason, this time in 'De Montaña por Asturias' we have decided to make a selection with eight unforgettable mountain routes that you can find in the surroundings of the Picos de Europa.

A selection with some easy routes and others for more experienced mountaineers, with which you can enter and enjoy some of the most spectacular landscapes of these peaks. Even so, it is important to point out that any route that places us in the Picos de Europa will be a route that will take us into high mountain terrain where it will be necessary to go with the appropriate mountain clothing and footwear, in addition to which it will also be essential Take into account the weather and have the route or track that we will have to follow well prepared.

8 unforgettable routes through Picos de Europa:

1. Route to Picu Urriellu

Route data

Distance: 6.46 km (one way)

Travel type: Linear

Duration: 3 h (one way)

What better way to start this list of unforgettable routes through the Picos de Europa than by getting to know one of the great symbols of these peaks and of Asturias: Picu Urriellu (2,519 m). A large and imposing limestone mass next to which is the well-known refuge of Vega de Urriellu, which you can get to through various routes. One of the best known and most recommended for those who are looking for a route without excessive difficulty in the Picos de Europa, is the one that ascends from the foot of the Collado de Pandébano, which we access by track from the pretty village of Sotres, to then continue the indications 'Pandébano/Refugio Vega de Urriellu.

A very obvious path marked PR-PNPE-21 that, except in winter (season in which we can find exposed steps), does not present great difficulty and which we can also approach from the Texu Winters. Following the indications and on clear days, along the way we will be able to see the imposing Picu Urriellu appear as we advance and gain height along this route. Especially in the last section of the route we will find a much steeper slope and multiple zigzags to Vega de Urriellu, so the route in this part can become much more intense.

Another route option to Picu Urriellu (difficult):

Another possible option for those who want a much longer and more difficult route to Picu Urriellu is that it ascends from Poncebos along the Reconquista Route to the town of Bulnes, to then face the climb from there at the foot of Picu Urriellu. A route only suitable for experienced mountaineers, with a total of 24.38 km (round trip), in which we find great unevenness, but in which we can also enjoy the best panoramic views of the Picos de Europa.

2. Cares Route

Route data

Distance: 21.9 km

Travel type: Linear

Duration: 6 hours and 30 minutes

This path carved out of the rock through the so-called Divine Gorge of the Cares River, is one of the best-known routes in the Picos de Europa and also one of the most spectacular of these peaks. A route in which we will simply follow the crystalline waters of the Cares River for about 10 kilometers between the towns of Caín (León) and Poncebos (Asturias), through narrow walkways and tunnels dug into the rock itself and surrounded by imposing walls of limestone. A route through this great natural canyon that you can start from any of the two points and without any loss, since during the walk we will not find detours and we will find all the way marked and evident, so it is simply good to take into account its distance in round trip, which accumulates a total of 21.9 km. This is one of the reasons why many hikers choose to leave a car at the end of the route, use a bus, taxi or hire the services of a 4x4, in order to avoid another 10 km of the return route.

3. Route to the Vegabaño sheepfold

Route data

Distance: 9.8km

Type of route: Circular

Duration: 3h 15min

For those who prefer to visit Vegabaño and this beautiful flock with cabins, surrounded by beech forests and with some of the most impressive views of the peaks, in the western massif of the Picos de Europa, a good option may be to opt for the route simpler. A circular route marked with the PR-PNPE 9 Vegabaño, which starts from the Leonese town of Soto de Sajambre and which ascends through the so-called Camino Viejo along a long but slightly uneven forest track. A simple ascent through beech and oak forests, green meadows and pasture areas, perfect for those who want to enjoy the mountains through an easy route and on the way to the beautiful refuge of Vegabaño. Although the layout of the route is circular and we can complete it by following the track that descends from this fold through the interior of the forest, it is also possible to go and return along the old path, making the route even shorter.

Another route option to the Majada de Vegabaño (longer):

Another route option to the Majada de Vegabaño, is the one that starts from Soto de Valdeón to the Vegabaño Refuge passing through Vega de Llos, Collado del Frade and up to the Vegabaño Refuge, before passing through the famous Roblón. A linear journey of 9.56 km (one way) that will also give us magnificent views, beech and oak forests, beautiful sheepfolds, high mountain landscapes and, in short, a variety of landscapes worth contemplating. We can choose to do it round trip or make it circular through the different paths that start from the refuge and through the interior of the forest to Soto de Valdeón.

4. Route from Lagos de Covadonga to Vegarredonda

Route data

Distance: 8.15 km

Travel type: Linear

Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes

This route from the famous Lakes of Covadonga to the Vegarredonda refuge, is another of those simple and especially beautiful routes that we can find in Picos de Europa. A route that we can start from the same parking lot of the lakes passing through Vega de Enol, Pan de Carmen, Pozo del Alemán, Vega la Piedra and La Rondiella, starting first with stretches of dirt track and then along an easy-to-follow path and signposted to the Vegarredonda refuge.

5. Route to the viewpoint of Ordiales

Precisely from the Vegarredonda Refuge is where we can start this route to the Ordiales Viewpoint. To do this we will simply have to take a path that goes to the right through the Cueñe Cerrada that we can take a little above the refuge. Along this path we will ascend to the Forcau pass and through easy terrain we will arrive at the Ordiales camperas. From them we will continue to the remains of the old refuge of the same name and from this point we will be able to approach this impressive viewpoint and balcony of the Picos de Europa.

Route data

Distance: 6.47 km (round trip)

Travel type: Linear

Duration: 2 h 50 min (round trip)

6. Route to Bulnes

Route data

Distance: 8 km (round trip)

Travel type: Linear

Duration: 2 h 30 min (round trip)

Bulnes is undoubtedly another of those corners of the Picos de Europa and Asturias that are worth a visit and although accessing it from the funicular is one of the fastest and most comfortable options, without a doubt the route that ascends to this remote town from Poncebos it is the best option for lovers of the mountains and hiking. One of the most beautiful options for which we will have to make a small effort, but which will have its great reward when we reach this beautiful town. We will start the route from Poncebos, from there we will have to continue in the direction of the Jaya bridge and from there take the path that ascends through the Texu Canal. A channel through which we will begin to climb relentlessly and through continuous zigzags and enjoying the best panoramic views, until we reach the exit of the Bulnes funicular. From this point you will simply have to take a pleasant walk to the town of Bulnes.

7. Route to Lake Ándara

Route data

Distance: 9.15 km (round trip)

Travel type: Linear

Duration: 4 hours (round trip)

Through this route you will access Lake Ándara or what little remains of it, since this lake located in the Eastern Massif existed until 1911, due to the aggressive mining activity in this area and a blast that caused a breach through the that the water in this lake disappeared overnight. One of the lakes that in the past became the largest in the Cantabrian Mountains. Even so, the environment that surrounds this place deserves at least one visit and we can do it from the Jito de Escarandi, from where you can ascend to the Casetón de Ándara following the indicative signs and from it, to the vestiges of this lake.

8. Route to Cabaña Verónica

Route data

Distance: 6.52 km (one way and from the upper station)

Travel type: Linear

Duration: 2 h 30 min (one way)

Although there are several possible routes to get to Cabaña Verónica and its 2,325 m altitude, one of the most affordable options is the one that leads from the Upper Station of the Fuente Dé cable car, to this refuge near the Collado de Horcados Rojos and in the Massif Central of the Picos de Europa. A refuge that you will find located in an environment of great beauty and surrounded by some of the most impressive peaks such as Peña Vieja, Peña Olvidada, the Picos de Santa Ana or the Torre de Horcados Rojos, among others.

Through the cable car from Fuente Dé you will be able to overcome a drop of 753 meters in just 4 minutes and from its upper station begin to follow the PR-PNPE-23 path to the foot of Horcados Rojos, to follow the milestones from there to the shelter. Another option, for those who want to walk up from Fuente Dé and extend the route, is the one that ascends by the demanding climb that the cable car saves or for those who want something easier to face, the route that goes up from Fuente Dé to the Hotel de Áliva and from there connect with the same path PR-PNPE-23 to Horcados Rojos. Any of these options will give you the best landscapes and will allow you to choose a route similar to the physical capacity of each one.