The “Invernales de Vanu” circular route starting from Arenas de Cabrale

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A lovely walk starting from Las Arenas, recommended by the Cabrales region’s tourist office: “No. 9: Excursion to Las Invernales de Vanu”. The path climbs initially through a forest of maple and plane trees, offering magnificent views of the famous Pic Urriellu in Asturian (or Pic Naranjo de Bulnes in Spanish), then descends, crossing the Vanu pastures and their many 18th-century sheepfolds, which are still in use today.

Details

n°105856034
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.73 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,214 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,020 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,490 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 443 ft
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Photos

The sheepfolds at the Reyos winter pasture⁵
Urriellu Peak – Naranjo de Bulnes
Cave
Trail No. 9: Vanu Winter Pastures

Description of the walk

The start is at the Las Arenas car park.

(S/E) Cross the car park to the exit, then turn left onto the road leading to the “Cueva de queso de Cabrales”.

(1) Just before the second bridge, take the path branching off to the right, signposted ‘Invernales de Vanu’.

(2) On the path, there is a cave used as a sheepfold.

(3) Unobstructed view of the Picos de Europa. Continue to the junction.

(4) Follow the main path uphill, opposite, signposted “Route No. 9”.

(5) View of the Naranjo de Bulnes peak, which the Asturians call Picu Urriellu.

(6) The path continues straight on, passing an old sheepfold and a spring flowing into a trough on the right.

(7) At the junction, turn right and walk past a wooden picnic table. Continue along the path.

(8) Take the path on the right, which forms a small circular loop, to explore the 18th-century sheepfolds at Invernales de Reyos.

(9) Take the path on the left at the bend, which is circular and passes the old farm buildings at Bibuyes (in ruins) and La Magdalena. Then turn left onto the small tarmac road which leads back down to the village of Las Arenas (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 443 ft - Las Arenas car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.25 - alt. 636 ft - Path to the ‘invernales de Vanu’
  3. 2 : mi 0.43 - alt. 748 ft - Cueva (cave) el Cares
  4. 3 : mi 1.01 - alt. 1,165 ft - View of the Teresita y Maria Rosario peak (2,136 m)
  5. 4 : mi 1.22 - alt. 1,283 ft - Route no. 9
  6. 5 : mi 1.43 - alt. 1,437 ft - View of Pic Uriellu (Naranjo de Bulnes)
  7. 6 : mi 1.48 - alt. 1,453 ft - Fountain/watering hole and sheepfold
  8. 7 : mi 1.57 - alt. 1,490 ft - Junction
  9. 8 : mi 1.81 - alt. 1,365 ft - Reyos winter pastures
  10. 9 : mi 2.2 - alt. 1,112 ft - La Magdalena
  11. S/E : mi 3.73 - alt. 630 ft - Las Arenas car park

Notes

The path passes through open, sun-drenched meadows. Make sure you take enough water with you.

Worth a visit

The magnificent views of the Picos de Europa mountain range.

The 18th-century sheepfolds on the Reyos winter pastures.

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