We're going to explore one of the most interesting routes in Redes , visiting a waterfall over 150 meters high , with an almost vertical drop, created by the roaring waters of the Mongayu stream (a Natural Monument), which flow through this area of outstanding environmental value. The hiking route begins in the village of Tarna (996 m), near the AS-117 road and accessible via a short detour. Upon arrival, the parish church, dedicated to Saint Peter, immediately catches our eye, as does its modern urban layout, a result of the reconstruction that took place after the Spanish Civil War. The village was completely devastated in October 1937, a consequence of the violent fighting at the beginning of the conflict.
How to get to the Tabayón del Mongallu waterfall
From the signpost for the PR-AS 60 trail , this route, which runs through a permitted-use ZURE area, heads west along a paved path towards the cemetery. The well-marked trail then continues under the shade of large trees and through the soft meadows of Los Llinares , a plant community nestled in the shadow of Mount Saperu. Two water supply checkpoints mark this section of the route, which, turning sharply left from the last checkpoint and up a steep slope, leads to a fork in the path called Terreros (1.080 m) (1,2 km, in 30 min).
At the same crossroads, we'll see an information panel indicating the route to follow , either to the Tabayón waterfall on the right or to the Llanu del Toro plain on the left. As an optional alternative, we can go to the latter to see its famous "rebollos" (oak trees) . We head up the steep slope that leads into the Cabanielles forest , a dense, shady area of oaks and beeches that covers a large part of the northern slope of the Mongayu mountain range. The path, which has another fork to the right that we must ignore, continues uphill, marked by several pyramidal cairns, until we reach marker number 10.
Right here, in a clearing in the forest, the trail continues, veering left along a path that diagonally tackles another steep climb. Very soon, amidst the dense forest, we'll find the "rebollos" of Llanu del Toro (1.200 m), a group of trees where two large, centuries-old oaks stand out . The first, enclosed by a protective fence, has a circumference of 9,7 m. It rises amidst a breathtakingly beautiful landscape, as does the second, located a little higher up. This one, also fenced, has a circumference of 7,4 m. Beyond the magnificent structure of this natural monument, the distinctive silhouettes of the mountains that make up the La Bolera range, including La Abedular and Montovio , can be seen in the distance. This variant covers 2 km in just over an hour's walk.
From Terreros, after bypassing the previous turn, we continue along the original track , which once again enters the shadows of the forest. Without any significant changes in elevation, we will later cross the turbulent waters of the Requexada stream via a unique wooden bridge, immediately arriving at the meadows of Cabanielles, an open area from which we can glimpse the imposing Maciédome mountain on the nearby horizon.
After passing through this area, the track , always marked by pyramidal cairns, leads to the Los Arellales spring (1.165 m) (2,7 km, 1 hr. 10 min.), which has been perfectly restored and features a wooden spout and a rest area. The route continues along the slope of Mount Saperu, now on a path that replaces the track . Further on, we cross another stream via a rustic wooden bridge, after which we reach one of the very few clearings in the forest. From this open space, Cuetu Negru comes into view , another mountain integrated into this magnificent landscape, revealing its bare, dark stone peaks. Its rugged ravines guard the Tabayón waterfall , which soon appears as we reach the eastern edge of the forest. Facing this unusual landscape is the plateau of La Campona (1.171 m), located below the Mongayu River basin. From a crossroads of paths, we turn right and descend slightly to reach the pasture where a stable, now in ruins, once stood. In this mosaic of landscapes, combining dense foliage and rugged terrain, we can optionally ascend to the base of the waterfall along a path winding through bushes and scree. At the end of this path, near the beautiful and melodious waterfall, there is a signpost without text (1.223 m) (5 km, 2 h).
From the waterfall, we return to La Campona (1.171 m) (6 km, 2 hrs. 30 mins). Once there, despite the signs advising against returning to Tarna via the PR AS-60.1 trail (due to two landslides that occurred in February 2019 but were repaired the following month), we follow the course of the Mongayu stream along the path that now reappears . Initially poorly marked, it soon reveals its wide course, which it maintains and later widens during a steady descent. At a sharp bend, we reach Rebelláu (1.034 m) (7 km, 3 hrs), a mountain pasture nestled between two barns and crowned by a promontory. From here, we can contemplate an extraordinary landscape , enhanced by the view of the La Ablanosa pasture, located at the foot of the El Osu crag.
Here, the path re-enters the majestic beech forest of Mount Saperu , with a sudden right turn that initially heads distinctly east. After passing another junction where the path veers to the right, we continue uphill along this gentle but long incline until we reach the Nalón River (903 m) (8,5 km, in 3 hours and 30 minutes). We cross its fast-flowing waters via a concrete bridge, which then forks again at the Llaría farmhouse, with an arrow pointing towards the Pociellu meadow . We turn right and rejoin the AS-117 road via the hamlet of La Armadiella . Alternatively, we can head to Tarna along a good dirt track that descends to the river and runs between it and the road itself (a landslide in the autumn of 2018 blocked a good part of this alternative route, which became more dangerous in the summer of 2019). Without any possibility of getting lost, we cover the distance to the village (996 m) (10 km, in 4 hours) following the road, which is the best option. This marks the end of this hiking route.
Book «Networks, step by step»
If you want to learn about routes and places like this firsthand, we recommend buying the book "Redes, paso a paso" (Networks, step by step) , written by Ángel Fernández Ortega, which compiles mountain paths and routes that he has traveled for more than 40 years in this area.
