Anillo Picos de Europa Hut to Hut
475 € IVA incl.FECHAS
DURACIÓN
ALOJAMIENTO
Description
Anillo Picos de Europa. Trek in the western massif of 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, and the leafy forest. You can rest assured that you’ll be 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 will be rescued from oblivion thanks to the National Park shelters and wardens’ work.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Sleep in the National Park Refuges and Talk with the wardens
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Hike a stunning landscape affords unique views in the heart of the Picos de Europa
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Experience a breathtaking part of the scenery of this National Park.
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Hike through the stronghold of the last Cantabrian tribe that fought against the Roman troops.
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See a rich and varied fauna. Among other species, there are chamois and Griffon vultures.
DURATION
6 days, 5 nights
DISTANCE
74 Km
ELEVATION GAIN
+6.560m
ELEVATION LOST
-6.585m
DATES
24
JUL28
JUL21
AUG25
AUG13
SEP17
SEPIf you have around four or more people in your party, we can organise a private group departing on a date to suit you. They may all be a group of friends or just some individuals who wish to book a tour.
DIFFICULTY Challenging
Fitness
Hikers confident walking for several days with demanding ascents and descents.
Mountain experience
Hikers with mountain experience and fit.
Pace
Quiet.
Gradient per route
maximum +1.300 m.
Daily distances
Between 9 – 16 km.
Terrain
Not well-marked paths and sometimes is necessary to do a little scramble. Narrow tracks, rocky terrain, sometimes slippery. You need a head for heights
ROUTES
Lakes of Covadonga – Vegarredonda mountain hut (Including Cotalba Peak) 13Km
⇑950m ⇓650m
Vegarredonda Hut – Vegabaño Hut 16Km
⇑1000m ⇓1100m
Vegabaño Hut – Cain 17Km
⇑300m ⇓1.100m
Cain – Vega de Ario Hut 7Km
⇑1300m
Vega de Ario Hut – Lakes of Covadonga (Incluyendo el Pico Jultayu) 10Km
⇑350m ⇓900m
PRICE PER PERSON : € 475
WHAT’S INCLUDED
✓ 4 overnight at de Vega de Ario, Vegarredonda and Vegabaño mountain huts and Albergue Diablo La Peña hostel.
✓ 4 breakfasts y 4 dinners.
✓ English speaking certified guide.
✓ All transports and listed activities from Cangas de Onis.
✓ Safety equipment.
✓ Insurances
✓ VAT tax
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
╳ Lunches
Are you a solo traveller Most of our customers are solo travellers. When you make the reservation, you can choose between a single room or a twin room shared with another one of the same genders.
DAY 1
LAKES OF COVADONGA - VEGARREDONDA MOUNTAIN HUT (INCLUDING COTALBA PEAK) 13Km
⇑950m ⇓650m
Meeting up with the leader in Cangas de Onis. Check equipment and transfer to Covadonga Lakes. This is a classic walk in the Western massif of the Picos de Europa. We start walking from Pan de Carmen (just beyond Lake Enol) until Vegarredonda Refuge, which is about one and a quarter hours from Pan de Carmen and just before you reach the refuge, many of the higher peaks of the western massif become visible. From the refuge onwards, there is a section of this walk which is slightly rockier though the path is well-defined all the way. From here onwards, we often see chamois, and at times they can be pretty close to you. We soon come to the Ordiales refuge, and beyond this point, the path is slightly less noticeable. Then, almost without realising it, we’re at the Mirador de Ordiales, where Pedro Pidal (the founder of the National Park Picos de Europa in 1918) was buried. Look over the top & marvel at the breathless views and 1,000m sheer drop down to the Angon Valley below. Now, we can start the ascent to the Cotalba peak. There’s an enjoyable little scramble just before we reach the top. Once on the summit, the high peaks of the western massif are almost close enough to touch, the lakes can be seen in the distance, and the Ponga Mountains look as fantastic as ever. After taking full advantage of the vistas around us, we retrace our steps until Vegarredonda Hut. Dinner and overnight at the refuge.
DAY 2
FROM VEGARREDONDA TO VEGABAÑO 16Km
⇑1000m ⇓1100m
Today, it’s the most demanding stage. When we leave the shelter, we go up until we reach Collado Les Merines (2.100 m). The green colour under our feet turns into a grey rock in an enormous limestone world through the Pozas Jou (karstic pothole). We will 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 have to make the easy descent among the beech trees surrounding 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. After a well-earned rest, we’ll discuss the stage and the incredible trek before the last day. Dinner and overnight stay at the refuge
DAY 3
FROM VEGABAÑO TO CAIN 17Km
⇑300m ⇓1.100m
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. Then, 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 Valdeón. At Posada de Valdeon, we stop to have lunch, and then we continue to the small village of Cain, the gate to the famous Cares Gorge. Dinner and accommodation at Albergue Diablo La Peña.
DAY 4
FROM CAIN TO VEGA DE ARIO HUT 7 Km
⇑1300m
Breakfast. We start walking into the famous Cares Gorge, crossing tunnels and bridges. Just before Bolin bridge, a sign indicates the start of the harsh Canal de Trea, a ravine that offers no respite until we reach the meadows of Vega de Ario, where we will take a well-earned rest and finish the stage. The impressive views of the central massif are a due reward for such a sacrifice. Dinner and overnight stay at the refuge.
DAY 5
FROM VEGA DE ARIO TO LAKES OF COVADONGA (INCLUDING JULTAYU PEAK) 10Km
⇑350m ⇓900m
Breakfast. To finish this incredible trek, we will climb to the summit of Jultayu (1,940 m). Suppose there is another privileged place in addition to the Ordiales viewpoint in the Western Massif. In that case, it is the Jultayu Peak, where we will have incredible views of the entire Central Massif with its highest peaks, Torrecerredo, La Bermeja, Picos de Los Cabrones, and etc. depth of the Cares Gorge below them. Then, we return again to the plain of Ario, and from here, the route is straightforward, practically all of it downhill and along a marked path. First, a false plateau to the Collado del Jito with magnificent views of the Central massif and then we cross the Jou Llaguiellu, the Bobias sheepfold, until we reach Lake Ercina, where our vehicle awaits us to take us back to Cangas de Onis. RING OVERCOME!