Let's go one of the most interesting itineraries of Redes, visiting a waterfall of more than 150 m, with an almost vertical fall, organized by the sonorous waters of the Mongayu tabayon (Natural Monument), which run through this enclave of outstanding environmental values. The hiking route begins in the small town of Tarna (996 m), close to the AS-117 highway and accessible by a short detour. As soon as we arrive there, our attention is drawn to the parish church dedicated to Saint Peter and its modern urban layout, motivated by the reconstruction that took place during the post-Spanish war. They were raised as a result of the violent fighting at the beginning of the civil war; The town was completely devastated in October 1937.
How to get to the Tabayón del Mongallu waterfall
From the trail indicator panel PR-AS 60This itinerary, which circulates through the ZURE area of permitted use, advances towards the west along a concrete path, in the direction of its cemetery. The route then runs well signposted, under the shade of large trees and in the middle of the soft meadows of Los Llinares, a plant complex located in the shadow of Mount Saperu. Two records of a water source mark this section of the route, which, turning sharply from the last, to the left and up a steep slope, leads us to a fork, called Terreros (1.080 m.) (1,2 km., in 30 min.).
On the same cruise we will see an information panel that shows us the route to follow, either to the Tabayón waterfall, to the right, or to the llanu del Toro, to the left. As a variant of this route, and optionally, we will go to this last place in order to know its famous "rebollos". We walk up the steep slope that deepens towards the forest of Mount Cabanielles, dense shady oak and beech trees that cover a good part of the northern slope of the Mongayu mountain range. The trace of the road, which has another fork to the right that we must avoid, continues upwards marked with several pyramidal landmarks until reaching No. 10.
Right here, located in a clearing in the forest, the signal continues changing its course to the left, along a path that diagonally faces another new slope. Very soon we will find ourselves in the middle of lushness of the forest the “rebollos” of llanu del Toro (1.200 m.), Group of trees where they stand out two large specimens of centenary oaks. The first of them, surrounded by a protective fence, has a perimeter of 9,7 m. It rises in the middle of a landscape of impressive beauty, the same as the second specimen, located a little higher. This, also fenced, has a perimeter of 7,4 m. Behind the fantastic structure of this natural monument, you can see in the distance the outlined silhouettes of the mountains that make up the mountain range of La Bolera, with La Abedular and Montovio. In this variant we have traveled 2 km. in just over 1 h. marching.
From Terreros, and after avoiding the previous detour, we continue with the original route along the track, which goes back into the gloom of the forest. Without major slopes, we will later cross the stormy waters of the Requexada stream by a unique wooden bridge to immediately place ourselves over the meadows of Cabanielles, an open place through which we discover the great Maciédome mountain on the near horizon.
After crossing through this place, the road-track, always accompanied by pyramidal landmarks, it converges on the Los Arellales fountain (1.165 m.) (2,7 km., 1 h. And 10 min.), Perfectly restored and with a wooden spout and rest area. The route continues skirting the side of Mount Saperu, now on a path that replaces the track. Later on we will cross another stream by an artisan wooden bridge, after which we will find ourselves in another of the very few clearings in the forest. From this clear relief, Negru's neck appears, another mountain integrated in this great nature that reveals its naked and dark stone towers. Its rugged ravines guard the Tabayón waterfall, which soon comes into view when we reach the eastern edge of the forest. The La Campona esplanade (1.171 m.) Appears before this unusual place, located under the basin of the Mongayu River. From a crossroads of trails, we turn right and descend slightly until we reach the pasture where a block stands, now in ruins. In this landscape mosaic, which combines dense foliage and broken orography, we can optionally ascend to the base of the waterfall, along a path drawn between bushes and rocks. At its end and close to the beautiful and sonorous waterfall, there is an indicative panel, devoid of text (1.223 m.) (5 km., In 2 h.).
From the waterfall, we return to La Campona (1.171 m.) (6 km., In 2 h. And 30 min.). Once here, and despite the indicative signs that advise avoiding the return to Tarna via the PR AS-60.1 trail (due to two argayos, which occurred in February 2019, but were repaired the following month), we follow the course of the Mongayu stream along the path that now reappears. With little identification at first, it immediately shows its wide trajectory, which it maintains and later expands, during a sustained descent. Faced with a sharp curve, Rebelláu is located (1.034 m.) (7 km., In 3 h.), sheepfold sheltered for two blocks and topped by a promontory, from which an extraordinary landscape is contemplated, enriched with the vision of the La Ablanosa sheepfold, located in the shelter of the El Osu ridge.
Here the path enters the majestic beech forest of mount Saperu, with a sudden turn to the right that initially takes a distinctly eastern course. After crossing a new crossroads that deviates to the right, we are conquering this soft but long unevenness until we are in the riverbed of the Nalón river (903 m.) (8,5 km., In 3 h. And 30 min.). We will cross its mighty waters by a concrete bridge, which later has another fork in the Llaría block, with an indicative arrow, towards the fertile plain of Pociellu. We go right and we win again the AS-117 road through the hamlet of La Armadiella. As an alternative, we can go to Tarna by a good road, which descends to the river and advances interspersed between it and the same road (an argayo, which occurred in the fall of 2018, plugged a good part of this variant, which in the summer of 2019 has become more dangerous). Without possible loss, we overcome the distance that separates us from the town (996 m.) (10 km., In 4 h.) Following the course of the road as the best option. Here we end this hiking route.
Book «Networks, step by step»
If you want to know first-hand routes and places like this, we recommend you buy the book «Networks, step by step», written by Ángel Fernández Ortega in which he collects mountain roads and routes that he has traveled through this area for more than 40 years.
