Itinerary description
The Southern side of the Picos de Europa may have a different climate to the Cantabrian seaward side and, along with the Western Massif, approached from the South, offer many different perspectives. The first part of the trip takes you into the heart of the Riaño mountains south of the Picos.
There you will immediately feel the expansive grandeur of these Alpine like peaks mirrored in the still water of the lakes beneath them. The villages too are small, intimate and pretty. There are very few hill walkers and tourists in this area, adding to that sense of tranquillity that will make this tour an exceptional experience.
On the second part, we will move to the Natural Park of Fuentes Carrionas. The natural, landscape, fauna and botanical value of the Montaña Palentina led to its declaration as a Natural Park under the name of Fuentes Carrionas and Fuente Cobre in the year 2000.
The Montaña Palentina is a highly sensitive space, the natural habitat of the brown bear and the capercaillie, as well as various botanical species specific to these places.
The Montaña Palentina is located to the north of the province of Palencia, it has complex tectonics and an extremely interesting landscape, the result of the action of
both karstic phenomena (Cueva del Cobre, Sumidero del Sel de la Fuente) and glaciers, which is reflected in cirques, valleys and lagoons (Lago de las Lomas, Lago de Ves, Pozo
Curavacas). El Curavacas (2,525m.), El Espigüete (2,450m.) and Las Lomas (2,451m.) are the highest peaks of the Montaña Palentina.
We also stay at Parador Nacional de Fuentes Carrionas, an amazing hotel with magnificent views and restaurant.
PRICES PER PERSON
Twin or Double room € 1,150
Single room € 1,275
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?
Hiking Equipment
- Water Bottle. Take at least a 1-litre personal water bottle.
- Sunglasses.
- Sun Hat, High Factor Sun Cream/Block & Lip Salve (Factor 15 or more)
- Walking Boots or trekking shoes.
- Trekking poles (we can provide these if desired)
- Waterproofs Breathable
- Down Jacket After sunset,
- Thick jumper/fleece jacket
- Shorts and long trousers. Shorts are very comfortable to walk in, but also you must carry long pants.
- Backpack 30-40 litres.
Other
- Universal travel plug adapter.
- Power bank.
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel Insurance documents.
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment).
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear, etc)
WHAT´S THE WEATHER LIKE?
The weather in Montaña de Riaño and Montaña Palentina can be very changeable, so be sure to packfor all weathers. Although, it tends to be dry and sunny on the south face and at high altitudes over 1,500m.
The maximum temperature is around 20 degrees, and the minimum is around 8-12 degrees. Perfect trekking temperatures!
HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP?
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion and are non-compulsory on this trip. Of course, if you feel that your guides provided an exceptional experience, then you are welcome to tip as much as you feel appropriate. You should factor in tipping 10% on top of the bill in any bars and restaurants during the trip.
WHAT TIME IS DINNER?
Dinner (la Cena) is generally eaten between 9 p.m. and midnight. On this trip, we usually eat dinner at 20.30, but before that time is not possible as work shifts start at 20.00.
As we will have a packed lunch, dinner will include starters, main course and dessert. It also includes bread and water.
WHAT DO I DO ABOUT DRINKING WATER?
The water in the Picos de Europa and Riaño mountains is safe to drink, and you are able to fill up freely at each accommodation that you stay.
GUIDING
Supporting you on your holiday will be a local, English speaking Spanish guide who is qualified to lead walkers in the mountains and knows this area like the back of his hand! . Our speaking is not perfect, but make sure that we understand your needs and the standard that you expect.
POSITIVE IMPACT TRAVEL
We are focused on maximising the positive impacts of every adventure taken through us. Here are a few basic best practices we are following:
- Minimising our environmental footprint.
- Provide a robust waste system and encourage travellers to participate.
- Find alternatives to single-use plastic water bottles/cutlery/packaging etc.
- Promote careful water consumption when resources are scarce.
- Ensure vehicle size is appropriate for the environment.
- Ensure animal welfare is a top priority for all working animals.
Day 1. ARRIVAL.
Description:
Arrival in Santander. Transfer from the airport to Boca de Huergano. Dinner and accommodation at Hotel Tierra de la Reina in Boca de Huergano.
Day 2.
Description:
Breakfast
LEVEL A). ASCENT TO GILBO PEAK. 10 Km +600m/-600m
The emblematic peaks of this mountain region are the pyramidical limestone rocks of Gilbo Peak and Pico Yordas. As we approach the upper section of the climb, the track becomes more difficult with some scrambling that will test hands & feet and indeed, for those with any hint of vertigo, it will be a challenge. However, from the top, the views are fantastic. Below are the lesser peaks and the expansive lakes that form one of the biggest reservoirs in Spain. The route starts at the Lake, ascending above the beech and oaks forest to the emblematic peaks above. Dinner and accommodation at Hotel Tierra de la Reina in Boca de Huergano.
LEVEL B). BEECH FOREST OF VALDECOLINA AND PELENCINOS. 11 KM +350m/-350m
On this route through the mountains of Carande, we hike perhaps one of the largest forests in León, as is the entire north face of the Sierra del Pando. From Carande, we will cross the paths of Valdecolina and Pelencinos beech, frequently travelled by wolves, bears, deer, roe deer and squirrels. Dinner and accommodation at Hotel Tierra de la Reina in Boca de Huergano.
In the afternoon, we will do a Boat trip on the Riaño Reservoir.
Day 3
Description:
Breakfast
LEVEL A) ASCENT TO PEÑA PRIETA. 19KM +1,250m/-1,250m
Peña Prieta (2,536m) is one of the most spectacular and, at the same time, important high mountain areas in northern Spain. A set of peaks, valleys and lakes of glacial origin that form the headwaters of the river Esla, Yuso, Carrión and Riofrío, straddling the provinces of León, Palencia and Santander respectively. We will leave from the town of Llánaves de la Reina and we will cross the beautiful Naranco valley until we reach the top of Peña Prieta. We will return through the Cubil del Can, the Tarna plain to return again through the Naranco valley. Dinner and accommodation at Hotel Tierra de la Reina in Boca de Huergano.
LEVEL B) ASCENT TO CORISCAO PEAK. 10KM. +600m/-600m
Coriscao is a summit of over 2,235 metres that is located South of the National Park. The climb to Coriscao Peak is a mountain route that allows us to reach an exceptional balcony with stunning views of the Picos de Europa starting from the San Glorio mountain pass. It is probably the best viewpoint to the Picos de Europa. Still, we also enjoy the summits of the Palentina mountain, the spectacle of the Leonese massifs of Riaño and Mampodre and the bottom of the Liébana valley that extends to our feet.
Dinner and accommodation at Hotel Tierra de la Reina in Boca de Huergano.
Day 4
Description:
Breakfast
LEVEL A) ASCENT TO YORDAS PEAK. 11 KM +760M/-760M
The Yordas Peak (1,964m) is a classic hike in the Riaño mountains. The panoramic views of this route are unforgettable, the entire Mampodre Massif, the Western and Central Massifs of the Picos de Europa, the Palentina Mountain, the Riaño reservoir, etc. In addition, we will cross the San Pelayo valley and La Tendeña beech forest. The first part of the route is relatively easy, but the assault on the summit is
tough, with 300m of a gradient in just 1 km. Once at the top and depending on the weather, we can descend the south face or return by the same path. Dinner and accommodation at Hotel Tierra de la Reina in Boca de Huergano.
LEVEL B) COSALINES GLACIER VALLEY & MAMPODRE LAGOON. 10Km +350m/-450 m
Maraña sits in one of the best valleys of the Riaño Mountains. It has good pastures, beech and oak forests and the glacial moraine is the best reserved in the Cantabrian Mountains. It is a landscape with great didactic geology lessons, especially attractive for the study of glaciers in the Iberian Peninsula.
From moraines, cirques and glacial lakes, Mampodre displays a host of elements to consider. We will walk into the small Glacier valley of Cosalines through which the nascent waters flow in the great glacial bowl of Mampodre, the beech trees of "la Biesca", and turning South; we will see the valley of silence (Valle del Silencio) and the beautiful Lake of Mampodre.
Dinner and accommodation at Hotel Tierra de la Reina in Boca de Huergano.
Day 5. TRANSFER DAY. THE ROUTE OF THE RESERVOIRS.
Description:
Today, we are moving to “Montaña Palentina”. On the way, we will do “The Swamp Route” which runs through the north of the province of Palencia, joining the towns of Velilla del Río Carrión and Cervera de Pisuerga in the Montaña Palentina.
It is the regional mountain road L-210 that borders the contours of the reservoirs of Compuerto, Camporredondo and Ruesga, which we will find in the 54 km that make up the route.
The retained and crystalline waters, and the fascinating landscape will be the protagonists in this enclave. The different environments of the reservoirs are one of the best ecological reserves in the province, housing a great wealth of aquatic and terrestrial birds.
We will do some stops off to take wonderful pictures, and we will arrive at Cervera de Pisuerga at lunch time.
Dinner and accommodation at Parador Nacional de Fuentes Carrionas.
Day 6
Description:
Breakfast
LEVEL A) ASCENT TO ESPIGUETE PEAK (2,451m). 10 KM +1,200m/-1,200m
We begin from Cardaño de Abajo tow our ascent to this incredible peak in the Fuentes Carrionas Natural Park with spectacular views of all the Picos de Europa and the Cantabrian Mountains.
It is a physically demanding route. Despite its short distance (10Km round trip) it is necessary to overcome a gradient of 1,200 m and on several occasions, it is necessary to scramble.
We will do a lineal route, ascending and descending on the same way. The path is full of big stones and rocky terrain with some scree sections which makes the descent more difficult than the ascent. Dinner and accommodation at Parador Nacional de Fuentes Carrionas.
LEVEL A) HIKE TO EL POZO LAS LOMAS. 12 KM +650m/-650m
Transfer to Cardaño de Arriba (45 minutes) where we begin our excursion. The valleys of Cardaño, from the Puente Agudín to the (Pozo Las Lomas), are surrounded by the highest peaks of the Montaña Palentina. We will reach the glacial cirque at the base of which sits the (Pozo Las Lomas). We will have fantastic views of the peaks of Celestino (2,394), Alto de Fuentes Carrionas (2,497), Las Agujas de Cardaño (2,386) and Alto de Las Lomas (2,430).
Day 7
Description:
Breakfast
LEVEL A & B) HIKE TO LA FUENTE DEL COBRE. 10 KM +400m/-400m
On the last day, we will do altogether the same route.(Fuente del Cobre) is the source of the Pisuerga river, with the mysterious attraction that comes from emerging from a deep cave. Originally, Pisuerga river, collects the melting waters from the mountains that surround the idyllic Redondo valley. The route runs under a forest of beech, oak, holly, hazel and birch trees. Leaving the forest, we will suddenly find some small waterfalls and a little higher up the Fuente del Cobre, crowned by the crests of some limestone cliffs. Dinner and accommodation at Parador Nacional de Fuentes Carrionas.
Day 8. Breakfast and transfer back to Santander Airport.
Description:
Breakfast and transfer back to Santander Airport.
