The La Xamoca route begins in the village of Campiellos (530 meters), following a concrete track that climbs northwest to the Collá del Arcu pass (628 meters). In Campiellos, behind the information panel detailing the route, we take a path that passes in front of a granary, between the houses. We walk along the concrete track, which ascends to the left and passes in front of the village's water reservoir, located in the middle of a dense chestnut forest.
The track continues uphill, shaded by trees, reaching the Arcu pass , which has a renovated cabin nearby. We continue in the dim light of the forest and approach the Ricau pass . The wooded area recedes behind us. The track makes a sharp right turn and climbs a steep section until it reaches a point where the path curves sharply to the left, forming a fantastic viewpoint overlooking the entire Comillera stream valley. From here, we can admire the Peña Blanca peak in all its splendor, along with the entire ridge that extends from its summit to the right, reaching the Saus pass and the rocky face that culminates in Peña La Xamoca.
After a final stretch of climbing, we reach the Llagos mountain pasture , where we encounter its first shepherd's huts. Llagos is a collection of restored cabins and meadows nestled at the foot of La Xamoca mountain. An idyllic natural setting. On the left bank, there is a wide, steep meadow, at the top of which is a spring-fed trough where we can fill our water bottles. The water here is perfect for quenching our thirst, as it has been declared "natural mineral water"—the first such designation in a protected area of Asturias, and only the sixth in the entire Principality.
Near this mountain pasture lies a truly luxurious viewpoint: a well-maintained, flat, green meadow enclosed by a rustic wooden fence, where two good-sized tables form an impromptu picnic area . The southern edge of this meadow is marked by a beautiful, ancient yew tree that provides welcome shade. From here, we can enjoy the breathtaking views below: the village and the Rioseco reservoir.
A few meters further up, in the same meadow, there's a wooden post supporting two signposts: the one to the left points to La Xamoca, and the one to the right to the Unqueru pass. Following the sign towards La Xamoca, we re-enter a small wood , with a marked path and plenty of trail markers. We leave the woods, continuing the route along the mid-slope of the ridge (on the western side) through mixed terrain of low scrub and limestone rocks.
The northern slope of the peak is covered by a lush beech forest. We reached the summit of Xamoca and enjoyed a well-deserved and pleasant stop. Time flew by as we savored the splendid view; as far as we could see, on a clear day, we could make out the municipalities of Sobrescobio and Laviana, and parts of Piloña and Caso, with all their mountainous landscape.
We set off again, resuming the final stretch of the ridge to the fork in the trail, and this time we take the path to the Unqueru Pass . A narrow passage between two rocks marks the entrance to the Falafría Mountain forest. The path runs along the hillside, through the woods, until we reach the Faidiellu Pass.
The route skirts around Picu la Carba to reach the Collado de Unqueru pass, recognizable by the small promontory among the meadows. From this point, head towards the ruined cabin visible a few meters below and take the path to the left that diagonally crosses a marshy area towards the Espines cabins, from where the descent begins.
The path overcomes the steep slope between Espines and Práu Ríu and continues down the valley alongside the river, crossing it via a concrete bridge with a wooden railing. Always following the most well-defined descending path, ignoring the turnoffs to Campiellos, you'll cross a forest of centuries-old chestnut trees . At every fork, take the path straight ahead until you reach the Güergu cabin, from which two paths diverge. The one on the right connects with the Rioseco road , the final destination of our hike.
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
