El Naranjo de Bulnes, Picu Urriellu, is a silhouette perfectly contoured in the physical center of the Picos de Europa. It has an altitude of 2.519 meters and is one of the emblematic peaks of Spanish mountaineering, especially for the 550 vertical wall meters of its West Face.
But in addition to the views, up there we will experience the comforting pride of the mission accomplished and we can always boast of having dared with a dream. On the south side, the easiest, there are about 150 meters of climbing within the reach of almost everyone.
Currently climbing on all sides and edges, Naranjo is El Picu or Peña par excellence, the highest peak of the Asturian mountain. All their faces have some route of moderate difficulty and more or less affordable, except the West Face. To climb the latter, a high degree of preparation is needed.
Since Luis Martínez, "el Cuco", died on this wall the 2 of September of 1928, many have been mountaineers who have lost their lives when trying to climb it. But this extremely smooth wall is one of the most tempting in the peninsula. Overcoming it is an authentic conquest, especially in winter and despite the risk.
To admire the Picu in all its splendor, we can do so after a long walk that places us on the slopes of the Naranjo, in the popular Vega de Urriellu, with shelter included.
Vega de Urriellu
The Picu Urriellu or Naranjo de Bulnes produces great magnetism from long and medium distances, but…
Who climbed the Naranjo de Bulnes?
On August 5, 1904, Don Pedro Pidal, Marqués de Villaviciosa, and the «Cainejo», a shepherd from Camagüey, inaugurated the Naranjo climbs.. The ascent was bumpy, but they managed to crown the summit on the north face, known since then as Vía Pidal. The doctor in geology and experienced German mountaineer Gustav Schulze carried out the second ascent of the Naranjo on October 1, 1906 also on the north face. This being the first solo ascent of the peak.
The 8 of March of 1956 Angel Landa of the Alpino Turista Group of Baracaldo and Pedro Udaondo, of the Mountain Group Juventus of Bilbao they manage to crown the peak for the first time in winter conditions. The 21 of August of 1962 the Aragonese mountaineers Alberto Rabada and Ernesto Navarro ascend to the Peak for the first time through the difficult west face.
In the winter of 1969, Guipuzcoans Ortiz and Berrio die in the first attempt of winter assault on the west side. They were very close to overcoming the ascension. The media turned to this tragedy. In February of 1970 A new tragedy shocks the television media. Lastra and Arrabal are rescued from the mountain, but the second died in the hospital.
At last, in the winter of 1973, César Pérez de Tudela and Pedro Antonio Ortega "El Ardilla", together with Miguel Ángel García Gallego had all of Spain in suspense, in what was the first winter on the west side that earned them the recognition of Naranjo heroes.
This great feat, as well as the frustrated attempts over all these years, and the dramatic deaths on the west wall, have granted the Urriellu a mythical character. In addition to its unique figure, almost unlikely in the usual profiles of the mountain, join the particular stories of each of the climbs. For this reason, admiring the orange tree, even if it is in the distance, includes that component of risk that can never be separated from its beauty.
Do you want to know the Naranjo de Bulnes and other areas of the Picos?
If you want to do guided routes through the Picos de Europa and see first-hand the extraordinary environment that surrounds this area, we offer you several circuits to fully enjoy the mountain. You can choose according to your physical condition, according to the days you can have free, if you prefer to sleep in mountain huts or hostels... there are several trips scheduled for this season, check the characteristics of each of them and have a good trip!
Great trekking of the Massif Central
In this trek we are going to tour the massif, following part of the Extrem Ring route, sleeping in its mythical refuges such as Collado Jermoso, Naranjo de Bulnes and Jou de Los Cabrones….
Great return to the Picos de Europa
A comprehensive tour with accommodation included through the Picos de Europa. Five days to get to know in depth the spectacular landscapes of this national park….
Vindio Picos de Europa ring with summits
Accommodation and half board in the shelters of Vega de Ario, Vegarredonda, Vegabaño and the Diablo de la Peña Lodge, and ascent to peaks…
Trekking Picos de Europa 5 days
Tour the 3 massifs, sleeping in small hotels and in the mythical refuge of Collado Jermoso and enjoying the rich gastronomy of the area….
Naranjo de Bulnes viewpoints
There are several locations that must be visited if we want to have the best views of Picu Urriellu. Here, in this link below, we provide you with some locations to have the most spectacular views of the mythical peak.
Naranjo de Bulnes viewpoints
From all its viewpoints, the Urriellu acts as a powerful magnet that forces us to observe it with...
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Get to the base
The route will take us an average time of about six hours. It is a full-fledged tour through the central massif of the Picos de Europa.
The most classic crossing to approach the Vega de Urriellu part of the mountain village of Sotres, where we will leave the car. From there we walk along the track that leads to the Cabao winters; After crossing the river Duje and from there you ascend to the Pandébano pass where the track ends and the trail begins. Once on the path you have to go to La Tejada de la Tejada (where the refuge of the same name is located). From this area Vallejo Collado is reached, and the route turns south. We already spotted the Picu Urriellu. From there the path climbs zigzagging to the Vega de Urriellu, where the shelter of the same name is located at 1960 meters of altitude.
To return to Sotres we do it by the same path.
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com