INTEGRAL PEAK RING
3 MASSIFS - 9 SHELTERS
- Type of activity
Trekking
- Meeting place
- Duration
- Kilometers
- Unevenness
- Number of People
- Difficulty
COMPLETE PEAK RING 3 MASSIFS - 9 SHELTERS
The Integral Ring of Peaks runs through the three mountain ranges of the Picos de Europa National Park. It's one of the most challenging treks you can do in the Iberian Peninsula and a must-have for any mountain lover.
We'll start in Poncebos, heading towards the Western or Cornión Massif, which gave rise to the National Park and boasts the most varied landscapes. We will make some modifications to the itinerary marked by the Ring of Picos, to give it the Picos Outdoor seal and improve it, passing through places that we consider must-see such as the Canal de Trea, the Vegabaño Forest or the Valdeón Valley, among others, to move on to the Urrielles Massif or Central Massif of the Picos de Europa, located between the valleys carved by the Cares and Duje rivers, undoubtedly the wildest, the one with the greatest slopes and where the highest and most representative peaks of the National Park are located, such as Torrecerredo, the highest altitude of these mountains and of the entire Cantabrian Mountains with 2,648 meters or the Picu Urriellu (Naranjo de Bulnes), a true symbol of the Asturian mountains and the National Park and a place where, since its conquest in 1905, the most beautiful pages of mountaineering in the Iberian Peninsula have been written. It is in this massif that these mountains reach their maximum expression, with an unsurpassed high-mountain environment, concentrating a large number of peaks in a relatively small area, unmatched in any other mountain range on the peninsula. There are other, higher mountains, but not as rugged and inaccessible. We will also explore the Eastern or Andara Massif, ascending the Jidiellu channel and resting in its only guarded refuge, the Andara Cassetón.
For six days, we'll explore all the protected refuges in the Picos de Europa, the most iconic and beautiful spots in the Picos de Europa National Park, on a challenging but unforgettable trek that's a must-have in your backpack.
Trekking Itinerary
On our first day of this super trekking, undoubtedly the most demanding of those that can be done in Picos de Europa, we will do one of the most classic routes of the Western Massif, crossing this from North to South, by the characteristic karst landscape from the high altitudes of Los Peaks of Europe, where the chaos of limestone rock reigns between jous and hills, making orientation not at all easy. We set off from Los Lakes of Covadonga towards the Shelter of Vegarredonda, to enter the highest peaks of the Massif, passing through Vega Huerta to enjoy the impressive view of the South wall (600 meters high) of Holy Rock of Castile, the highest point of the Cornión mountain range at 2,596 metres. From this valley, from which we can also enjoy beautiful views of the Massif Central, we will descend through the Frade pass towards the Vegabaño Shelter (1,420m), located in a magnificent place surrounded by beautiful forests, to enjoy a well-deserved rest, after a long and hard day.
Distance: 24 km. Elevation: +1,710 m -1,550 m
Beautiful and hard day, in which we will enter the Massif Central, and which will take us from Vegabaño to the beautiful valley of Valdeón, and from there, overcoming a significant difference in altitude, we will reach the Collado Jermoso refuge (2,046m). We will descend to the beautiful Valdeón Valley, to the town of Cordiñanes, from where we will begin the ascent through the beautiful Asotín beech forest that will leave us in the Vega de Asotín, beautiful and spectacular place. From here we will ascend to the Collado Jermoso shelter, located in one of the most spectacular and beautiful spots in the entire National Park. Situated on the edge of a cliff and surrounded by the rugged peaks of the Llambrión, in front of the spectacular Friero Tower, and with magnificent views of the Valdeón Valley and the Cornión Massif, with Peña Santa always standing out. Despite the tough day, everyone will be pleased to stay in such a place, run by a fantastic team who will make us feel right at home.
Distance: 20 km. Elevation: +1,630 m -950 m
One of the main stages of trekking, although a spectacular day with a change of massif included, since we are going to the Eastern or Ándara MassifWe enter the Massif Central crossing several Jous until the Casares Shot, from where we will have to go through a chaos of limestone to reach the Veronica Cabin Shelter, peculiar and situated in an amazing place. Once the passport is stamped, we will head towards the Áliva to run through the Duje Valley to the entrance of the Jidiellu Canal, the last adversity of the day to reach the Valdominguero hillFrom here we have a gentle descent to reach the Casetón de Ándara Shelter, with the right amenities but exquisite treatment, where we will stamp a new stamp in the passport and we will enjoy a magnificent sunset and a well-deserved rest.
Distance: 25 km. Elevation: +1,750 m -2,100 m
From the Casetón de Ándara, we will descend to the beautiful town of Sotres and the winter resorts of the same name, to ascend to Pandebano Pass and to La Terenosa Shelter, already in the Solid Central, where we will have our passports stamped while having a drink with the friendly guard, Emilio. From La Terenosa, we will ascend to the most popular refuge in the Picos de Europa, located at the base of the most emblematic peak of the National Park, Picu Urriellu, and at its most spectacular, its impressive West Face, over 500 meters high, a true benchmark for Spanish mountaineering. An unforgettable place, both beautiful and symbolic, where we will spend the night.
Distance: 15 km. Elevation: +1,170 m -960 m
We left the Urriellu refuge to head towards Cabrones shelter, the base of the mountain range where Torrecerredo, the highest peak in the entire National Park, is located at 2,648 meters. We will then head, passing another emblematic peak, Cabrones, towards the refuge of the same name, where we will stamp our passport. All that remains is a long and steep descent from the Cabrones refuge (2,030 m) to Puente Poncebos (218 m). We will descend the Cuesta del Trave and the Amuesa Canal to reach the beautiful town of Bulnes (648m), inaccessible by vehicle and only reachable via the Tejo canal or the Pandébano pass until the construction of a funicular from Poncebos. From Bulnes, we only have to descend via the Tejo canal to Poncebos, where we will spend the night.
Distance: 16 km. Elevation: +570 m -2,230 m
Last day of the trek. We will depart from Puente Poncebos (218m) to follow a section of the famous, popular, and spectacular Cares Route, one of the most impressive gorges in the world.We continue until we reach the detour to the challenging Canal de Trea, which we will ascend to reach the Vega de Ario Refuge and enjoy its impressive views of the Central and Western Massifs, as well as the even better service from its staff. We are sad to leave Vega de Ario to descend, along a comfortable path, to the Lakes of Covadonga, the final point of our spectacular adventure.
Distance: 22 km. Elevation: +1,750 m -790 m
What the trekking includes
- Mountain Guide Service with AEGM-UIMLA accreditation.
- Five nights of accommodation in shelters.
- Five half-boards (dinner + breakfast) in the shelters.
- Peak Ring Passport.
- Collective safety material.
- Accident and liability insurance.
What the trekking does not include
- Transport.
- Any other concept not mentioned as included.
To take into account
- At the shelters you can buy a picnic for each day, avoiding carrying heavy items.
- There are blankets in the shelters. A light sleeping bag or a sleeping bag sheet is sufficient.
- The route may be subject to changes depending on weather conditions, shelter availability, and/or other circumstances, always keeping the safety of the group in mind.
- Group of 4 to 8 people.
- Picos Outdoor only obtains benefits from the guiding service.
INTEGRAL PEAK RING
3 MASSIFS - 9 SHELTERS- Accredited expert guide
- Groups of 4 - 8 people
- Accident and liability insurance
