This summit stands on the last high mountain range that we come across in the Cantabrian Mountains if we travel from East to West. The Ubiñas, also called from the Asturian side as the Tuizo Alps, due to their proximity to the town of Tuiza (in the municipality of Lena), they form a mountain system still very unknown in the rest of Spain. However, Pena Ubiña is, with its 2.411 meters, one of the highest mountains in the north of the peninsula and rivals the nearby summit of Fontán, at 2.415 meters. Although there is a difference in criteria as to which of the two is higher (depending on the cartography consulted), they present similar morphology, sprouting like immense limestone walls over the extensive, rounded pastures of the Ubiñas Natural Park – La Mesa. A territory dominated by altitudinal variations and great climatic contrasts between the valleys and the peaks, which gives it a great botanical variety and favors the settlement of brown bears, capercaillies, chamois and birds of prey.
Las Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park
Is a magnificent mountain territory with a relief of strong contrasts, located in the…
A rock with a lot of history
Peña Ubiña is located on the border between the Principality of Asturias (Lena council, Huerna valley) and the province of León (Babia region, municipality of San Emiliano). In the opinion of mountaineering experts and hiking clubs, this mountain is only surpassed in beauty by Picu Urriellu or Naranjo de Bulnes. Its name seems to derive from Latin, from the adjective albinus (white), albina (white), passing through the Asturian filter: Pena Ubina (white peña) before the Castilian introduction of the ñ. Other studies suggest that the toponym is related to the Latin adjective ovinus, alluding to the transhumant flocks of sheep in its ports (cattle arriving from Extremadura since time immemorial). Even in the towns of Babia, the oldest people in the area ask the hikers: "Are you going to Peña Ovina?"
The fact is that Peña Ubiña likes to dress in white, whether with snow on his beak or with sheep in his vicinity. It was declared a Protected Landscape in 2006., since its altitudes, as well as the variety of calcareous and siliceous substrates, favor a great landscape diversity in the valleys that surround it, with large beech, holly, oak or birch groves.
Ascent to Peña Ubiña from Tuiza
This route has two clearly differentiated parts.
The first It is an affordable excursion of about 50 minutes, traveling along good paths, although with a moderate slope, to the mountain refuge of The Meicin.
The second part is something else: a high mountain climbing in every rule, with unmarked sections that run through rocks, ridges or canals and is not suitable for inexperienced people or people who suffer from vertigo.
If our objective is not to reach the summit, we can approach the refuge meadow and enjoy the surroundings. A very grateful excursion with a tolerable slope. But if our idea is to reach the summit, things change. Although to get to the top you don't need ropes or have to negotiate large aerial steps, it will be necessary to put your hands on the ground in many places. We can also find late snow until late in the summer.
These are the technical data of the route:
Route difficulty: high
Elevation climbed: 1.200 meters
Away kilometers 12
Time spent: 7-8 hours
We leave from the vicinity of the interpretation center of the Ubiñas – La Mesa Natural Park located in Tuíza de Arriba.. In this area there is enough space to leave the car. We will take the summer trail that leads to the meadow and the Meicín refuge, located at 1527 meters above sea level. It is a well-marked trail that crosses large meadows and pastures, with no possibility of getting lost thanks to the numerous indications to reach the refuge. The route can also be hard at times, as you face some serious slopes. We must not forget that we are in a high mountain environment.
After about 2 long kilometers of walking we arrived at the refuge and the Meicín plain., a place of extraordinary beauty, a glacial valley surrounded by large peaks such as La Peña Cerreos, Castillines, Siete and Portillines, all above 2.000 meters high, like Peña Ubiña itself. The mountain we are heading to and which we already see very close - although to reach its base we still have to walk a long way.
We look at the path that continues until Our next goal: the Terreros hill. It is a long green tongue rising dotted with calcareous rocks that we must climb with effort and caution. This steep slope is called the Forquéu slope by the locals.
Once we reach the top (with great views) we cross a gate (which must be left closed) and walk through a large rock field under the walls of Peña Ubiña to finally reach the the base of Peña Ubiña. From here you can see with the naked eye the route that ascends dizzyingly and steeply to the top.
This is the hardest section without a doubt. The grassland has completely turned into rock and stone. We will not use ropes, but we will have to advance a little like goats, resting our hands in specific places and with great caution. We will follow the signs, the paint signs and the route that the thousands of mountaineers who are fond of this summit have been outlining. We will gradually approach a sharp but passable ridge that finally connects us with the summit.
We have conquered the highest mountain in the center of Asturias. We are at a level that is usually snowy and is a reference point from any coordinate. On a good sunny day, without clouds or mist in sight, you can see a vast map of the Leonese territory, the mountains of Castile-Leonese, those of Galicia and Cantabria, the Asturian coast and the Picos de Europa.
We made the descent towards Tuíza along the same itinerary. We returned with contained emotion and the experience recorded deep inside, without losing attention and with great caution to avoid accidents.
Photographs: © San Nicolás Mountain Group
