Getting to the Vega de Urriellu is not at all difficult. We will do it through a well marked and safe path. A must-see excursion for every self-respecting mountaineer. The route to the famous Urrriellu base It does not have major technical difficulties except for its difference in altitude, close to 1000 meters, so we will have to use a moderate effort.
To this must be added the long duration of the excursion, about eight hours round trip.
The trail to El Naranjo is signposted through the National Park under the name of route PR-PNPE 21. Years ago, part of this route was difficult and dangerous, but in 1986 the worst passes were prepared and it was no longer so. Yes indeed, In winter, with the presence of snow or ice, it becomes a quite complicated route, only suitable for mountaineers experienced in winter technique (crampons and ice axe).
Start point
We will set off from the Collado Pandébano parking lot or from the town of Sotres. The most ideal thing is to do it from Pandébano, where there is a parking area. but so There are only 64 places enabled for hikers - apart from those reserved for ranchers, guards or mountain guides. They seem like a lot but they are not. In the summer season they fill up very quickly.. Sometimes we don't even get a place by getting up early. This is a regulated car park, with controlled access and capacity.
It is punishable with fines considerable costs to leave the car anywhere else in the vicinity; Nor are overnight stays allowed in motorhomes or tents in this area.
The other option is to park in Sotres, although this will lengthen our walk by an extra 10 kilometers.
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It is advisable to plan this route in a more comfortable way during the months of June or September (without crowds or excessive heat).
Sotres – Vega de Urriellu Route
These are the details of the route:
Route type: Linear (round trip the same route)
Total distance: 20 km from Sotres (13 km if we start in Pandébano)
Time: about 8 hours
Approximate difference in altitude: 1.106 meters (if you leave the car in Pandebano, it is reduced to 900)
These would be the sections into which we can divide the route.
1- Sotres – Pandébano (50 minutes)
Fundamental: get up as early as possible and get going early. The Collado de Pandébano, to which we headed first, is a very beautiful natural area located about 5 kilometers from Sotres. At the exit of the town we head towards the valley of the Duje River. About a kilometer away we came across a group of cabins, they are called Texu Winters. Here we cross the river through the Moyeyeres bridge. The path then steepens to the Cuaceya hill, then flattens out, and later crosses the Canero stream. From the mayada of this name, we climb halfway up the slope to Collado Pandébano (1212 m). We spent almost an hour getting there. The parking lot we mentioned above is located right at the end of this track.
From this point, the vision of the Naranjo looming above the first ramps, or the Neverón del Urrriellu and the Picos Albos, is already very close, although deceptive. At the bottom of the hill we see a group of cabins that form the Tenerosa sheepfold. That's where we headed.
2- Collado Pandébano – Majada de la Tenerosa – Collado Vallejo (40 minutes)
We advance along a well-marked path towards the left wall of the valley. In a short time we arrive at Majada de la Tenerosa (1315 m). Here there is a small shelter, a source of fresh water shelter and cabins run by shepherds where we can even buy a little Cabrales cheese. The path ascends from this point, bordering a forest above, running along the slope of Mount de la Varera. Below we see the town of Bulnes and slowly we gain more altitude until we reach a new promontory with wonderful views, it is Collado Vallejo or Valleyu (1540 m).
3- Collado Vallejo – Las Traviesas – Urriellu Refuge (2 hours and 30 minutes)
From here the rocky landscape begins to dominate, including the profile of the north face of Picu Urrriellu that will not abandon us until we reach the refuge. The area we are in resembles a huge, deep pit opened in the rock itself. In the past, this section of the route was very complicated, until in the 80s it was conditioned, patiently carving the stone and resulting in a much more comfortable and easy to follow path. In any case, to our right we are leaving a considerable vertical drop and we must advance with respect. In winter this step is dangerous due to the risk of avalanches and ice accumulation on the road.
The last 400 meters The unevenness to the refuge runs through this canal, the Traviesas and the eastern edge of the so-called Jou Lluengu. Once we have passed the Traviesas we reach an area of large blocks of rock detached from the buttresses of the Naranjo. The slope here is harder and with continuous zig-zags. The section is known as «the zetas» and forces us to do one last push to reach our goal.
We finally arrive at the Vega de Urriellu (1960 m) where is settled the shelter, at the foot of the west face of Naranjo. Here we enjoy the best views of the Urrriellu and fully feel its powerful attraction. We can get supplies at the fountain next to the refuge, from which very fresh water flows from the Picos de Europa. We will spend a good time enjoying such a fascinating place before turning back along the same path.
The base of Naranjo and the Urriellu Refuge
Even without being a peak, the Vega de Urriellu gives us that magnificent feeling of reaching the summit. We are at almost 2000 meters high, in an incredible enclave that offers us very close-ups of the most magical mountain in Asturias. But we also get dreamlike views of other great colossi of the Urrieles, as well as a horizon that stretches to the Cantabrian Sea.
The official name of the Urriellu refuge is “Delgado Úbeda Refuge”. You have 96 places, which makes it the largest of the Picos de Europa. It has food and drink service and is kept from March 15 to December 15, the rest of the time a bivouac area with 6 bunk beds and blankets is open. It was built as a base for mountaineers attracted by climbing the Naranjo. Over the years it has become the mecca of Spanish mountaineering and thousands of climbers from all over the world. It is also used as a place to spend the night or rest for journeys made in the Central Massif.
Interesting information
Any excursion in the Picos de Europa requires prior planning and adequate information about weather conditions, alerts, regulations and any other doubts that may affect our purpose. The most advisable thing to reach Picu Urriellu is to consult official sources or contact the Picos de Europa National Park service telephone numbers directly.
In this url you can consult all your doubts: https://parquenacionalpicoseuropa.es/contacto/
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Photographs: © San Nicolás Mountain Group
