Desfiladero de los Arrudos

Latitude: 43.1558952 Length: -5.4127750
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The Arrudos Gorge route is perhaps the most attractive in the entire Redes Natural Park . A fascinating trail that crosses beautiful beech forests and shepherd's huts, leading us to one of the park's great natural wonders: Lake Ubales , the only accessible lake in Redes. Located at the foot of Cascayón Peak (1954 m), it sits in an enchanting setting, in one of the most beautiful landscapes of Asturias, still unknown to many.

Route to La Fontona

The hike begins shortly before the village of Caleao , taking a track that branches off to the left of the road. After passing the hermitage of San Antonio (where the parking area is located), the path is bordered by walls that enclose the meadows. The first section is flat and runs through meadows alongside the river. Soon, the colorful beech forests and the typical riparian and mid-mountain woodland come into view: birch, hazel, beech, chestnut, the occasional oak, and abundant ash trees along the riverbanks. After crossing the stream several times and passing the Agualmayu cabins, you reach a wooden bridge. From here, the stream forms small waterfalls.

We soon reached the Prendeoriu cabin , where the track narrows into a path. We continued on, approaching the impressive gorge that we could glimpse in the distance. We reached the La Calabaza suspension bridge, where the ascent begins (approximately an hour's climb). At this point, the true Arrudos Gorge begins , named after a traditional tool: a holly pole about 2.5 meters long with several crossed stakes placed on it to create steps and facilitate the climb at the most difficult points of the route. To overcome the narrowness and steepness of the gorge, the path is sometimes carved into the rock, forming actual steps in places (some believe it was once a Roman road).

We admire the spectacular gorge, completely enclosed between mountains, which we traverse via the only existing access. After a steep climb, we reach El Collaín, a small plateau from which much of the Roxecu Valley can be seen. Following the main path and keeping the river to our left, we soon arrive at La Fontona, a magnificent place to rest by the riverbank and the starting point for the pipes that carry water to Gijón. This is the return point to Caleao for those less accustomed to hiking. It is advisable to take the return journey at a leisurely pace. The descent through Los Arrudos requires some caution if the slabs are wet. It is also advisable to stop often to contemplate nature, as this is the most rewarding part of the hike. Among many other things, we may see chamois on the high rocky outcrops.

In any case, from Fontana we can also continue the route to Lake Ubales and La Infiesta, extending the hike to 22 kilometers and making it a moderately difficult excursion unsuitable for children . We will also need a support vehicle to pick us up in the town of La Infiesta.

Ubales Lake Route

Lake Ubales, of glacial origin, is located at an altitude of 1.690 m at the foot of Pico Cascayón. Read more

Books “Networks, step by step” and “Picos de Europa. The mountains of light”

The book "Redes, step by step" fulfills one of the greatest dreams of its author - Ángel Fernández Ortega - to bring together all the routes of Redes in a single publication: the old paths and mountain routes that he has traveled for more than 40 years.

The book «Picos de Europa. The mountains of light» It is a book by Alberto Lastra, whose love for the Picos de Europa has led him to travel and photograph them, in search of special places and moments.