CIRCULAR ROUTE THROUGH PICOS DE EUROPA
The purpose of this project is for the National Park to become better known. Within a historical context, the “Anillo” (Ring) of Picos de Europa covers the Montes Vindios, known today as Picos de Europa.
Everything in this route in Picos de Europa is spectacular: the rocky crests, the gorges, the valleys, the vast glacial lakes, the leafy forests. You can rest assured that you’ll be absolutely amazed at everything you see.
Every stone found on the wayside by people who wish to venture into the Ring amasses many different stories, many of which will be rescued from oblivion thanks to the National Park Mountain Huts and the great job of the wardens.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sleep in the National Park Refuges and talk with the wardens
- Run a stunning landscape affords unique views in the heart of the Picos de Europa
- Experience a breathtaking part of the scenery of this National Park.
- Hike through the stronghold of the last Cantabrian tribe that fought against the Roman troops.
- See a rich and varied fauna. Among other species, there are chamois and Griffon vultures.
Day 1. FROM PONCEBOS TO VEGA DE ARIO HUT. 14 Km +1,500m.
Meeting up with the leader and transfer to Poncebos. We begin this incredible trail running trip with a hard stage, as we have an elevation gain of 1,500m in just 6 km. We start in Poncebos towards Caín, 8 km practically flat, to stretch our legs along the famous Cares Gorge until we reach “Culiembro”, where we leave the route to take the “GR Reconquista” and climb the “Canal de Culimebro”, 1,000m ascending in just 4 km. Once in Vega Maor, where the Canal ends, we continue along the Moandi pass and then the path well-marked to the Vega de Ario Refuge. We rest with wonderful views. Dinner and accommodation in Vega de Ario Hut.
Day 2. FROM VEGA DE ARIO HUT TO VEGARREDONDA HUT. 16 Km. +400m/-600m
Breakfast. After breakfast, the route is simple, practically all of it downhill and along a well-marked path until Lakes Ercina & Enol. From Lake Enol until Vegarredonda Refuge is about two hours walking up and just before you reach the refuge, many of the higher peaks of the western massif become visible. Dinner and accommodation in Vegarredonda Hut.
Day 3. FROM VEGARREDONDA HUT TO VEGABAÑO HUT. 16 Km +1.000m/-1.100m
Breakfast. Now, we go up until we reach Collado Les Merines (2.100 m). The green colour under our feet turns into grey rock in an enormous limestone world through the Pozas Jou (karstic pothole). We will take a rest to drink some cool water from the Prieta spring. From one “jou” to another, we will cross stony ground before we reach the enormous Vega Huerta. We will continue along the marked path that takes us southwards down the Canal del Perro to the Frade shelter. From there, we just have to make the easy descent among the beech trees that surround the Vegabaño shelter, where we will encounter some indescribable beauty spots, such as the source of the Dobra River and the thousand-year-old oak tree of Vegabaño. Dinner and overnight stay at the refuge.
Day 4. FROM VEGABAÑO REFUGE TO SANTA MARINA DE VALDEON. 14 Km + 400m/–600m
Breakfast. We leave the Vegabaño shelter behind us and enter the beech grove, and going up a gentle slope, we will pass the home of the capercaillie. Continuing through the virgin woodland, we will go up the Dobres rock and start our descent into the Valdeon valley, among brooks, until the path gets wider and becomes a track that will take us to the village of Caldevilla. Having reached this point, we will follow the course of the Cares River to the town of Posada de Valdeon, where we will have lunch and buy food in the supermarket. After lunch, we go on until Santa Marina de Valdeon. Dinner and overnight stay at the refuge La Ardilla Real.
Day 5. FROM VALCAVAO TO COLLADO JERMOSO HUT. 9 Km +700m/-400m
Breakfast. Transfer to Pandetrave mountain pass and then by track to Valcabao. Today, we start with a beautiful walk that goes from Valcabao to Collado Jermoso Refuge by the Canal de Pedabejo, walking near the spectacular Vega de Liordes and along the cliffs of Colladinas until arriving at Collado Jermoso Refuge, our first stop and overnight. We rest and look forward to the fabulous sunset with beautiful views of the Valdeón Valley and the Western Massif. Dinner and overnight at the refuge.
Day 6. FROM COLLADO JERMOSO TO URRIELLU HUT. 10 Km +800m/-850
We leave the Refuge to the Collada Ancha and Tiro Casares to reach the Cabaña Verónica Refuge. From here, we descend to Horcados Rojos, with incredible views of Naranjo de Bulnes and descend to the Jou de Los Boches by a steep and exposed slope, not suitable for people with vertigo. We cross the moonscape of the Jou of Los Boches and Jou sin Tierre until arriving at the Urriellu Refuge. Dinner and overnight stay at the Refuge
Day 7. FROM URRIELLU REFUGE TO PONCEBOS. 8,5 Km Gradient: - 1.780m
Breakfast. We leave the Refuge, leaving behind us the west face of the emblematic Picu Urriellu. We quickly headed towards Jou Lluengo, a typical Picos de Europa scree section, until we reached the famous Camburero Canal, a steep descent to the Valcosín Canal. An area that is flatter and has more vegetation to reach the town of Bulnes. After a rest and lunch in the town, one last descent through the Canal del Tejo to Poncebos, the vehicle awaits us to return to Arenas de Cabrales or Cangas de Onís. End of services.
