San Urbez - Sestrales - Refugio San Vicenda

Park at the canyon car park.

(S)Look for the signs for "Circuito de San Úrbez" and "Cañón de Añisclo", cross the bridge and start the climb. When you reach the next sign for "Sestrales", continue for about 30 metres.

(1) Turn left and climb diagonally through the forest, skirting the peaks on the right.

(2) From this point, the climb becomes steep (60%) and starts to feel challenging. Reach the ridge.

(3) Turn left. This gravel section is also quite steep (25%). It is better to go through the vegetation on the right or left, as it is less difficult. Reach an unnamed pass.

(4) End of the difficult section: continue along the hillside towards the north-east.

(5) Turn left onto a ledge behind the cliff with a well-marked path in the grass. There is a bit of a drop on the right, but it's easy to cross. From there, climb up through the grass to the first summit of the day, Sestrales Bajo (2075m). From there, you can see the next one nearby, Sestrales Alto (2101m). You are right at the top of the Añisclo Canyon and the views are breathtaking, with the bottom of the canyon below, the Tres Sorores (Perdido, Cilindro and Soum de Ramond) opposite, the Tres Marías and the Punta de las Olas. Finally, to the right, the Posets-Perdiguero massif.

(6) Continue until you reach Sestrales Alto.

(7) Continue heading generally north.

(8) Leave the ridge by turning left and continue more or less along the contour line. Join a track.

(9) Follow it, turning left, and walk a little less than 200 m to reach a sign marked "Mirador".

(10) Turn left and head towards a magnificent viewpoint.

(11) Head north to return to the track and follow it in the same direction. You will arrive at a water source at a small stream: a filter is required.

(12) Continue along the track until you reach another "Mirador" sign, then turn left to reach the viewpoint and enjoy the same magnificent panorama as before.

(13) Return to the trail and continue to the San Vicenda Refuge (E).

(E) I spent the night at the San Vicenda refuge. I took my time to enjoy the view and the beautiful weather. There is also water available (not drinkable, filter required). It is a pastoral refuge, there is not really a suitable place to pitch your tent directly at the refuge, it is better to set it up beforehand. Otherwise, depending on the time, it is also possible to go to Fuenblanca to spend the night (an extra 1 hour 45 minutes).

This hike was done in early October, when the weather was really great and not too hot. I don't think it's a good idea to do it in the middle of summer because the difficult parts are in full sun.

If you plan to sleep in your van the night before the hike, it's best to park 5 to 8 km before the canyon car park. The road to the car park is one-way, and crossing the canyon during the day must be magnificent.