Vega Urriellu – Puente de la Jaya

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A superb descent towards Poncebos with magnificent views of Picu Urriellu, the majadas of Tenerosa and the little village of Sotres, where the famous Queso Picon is produced.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Circuit de Vega Urriellu

Details

n°891695
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.09 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 577 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 6,129 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,391 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 820 ft
  • ⚐ Country: Spain
  • ⚐ City: Cabrales 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 43.20281° / W 4.821473°
  • ⚑
    End: N 43.254592° / W 4.836675°
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Photos

Jaya Bridge
Picu Urriellu from Pandébano

Description of the walk

(S) Leave the Vega Urriellu mountain hut on the right (north-east) and begin the descent towards Tenerosa via thePR®-PNPE 21 trail. Head for the Valleja canal.

(1) Caution! This section is particularly dangerous in windy conditions. Continue down to the Tenerosa Refuge.

(2) Follow the path towards Collado de Pandébano until you reach a steeper path.

(3) Turn left to begin the descent towards Bulnes. Reach the junction of the paths.

(4) Leave thePR®-PNPE and join theGR®202– Ruta de la Reconquista. Continue on to Bulnes.

(5) Here, rejoin thePR®-PNPE19 that you followed the previous day.

(6) Pass the upper station of the funicular.

(7) Enter the Canal del Tejo and continue the descent to the River Cares, cross the Jaya Bridge and climb up to the road. Head to the Puente de la Jaya car park (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 6,385 ft - When leaving the mountain hut, please remember to take your rubbish with you!
  2. 1 : mi 1.68 - alt. 5,020 ft - Dangerous stretch (gusts of wind)
  3. 2 : mi 2.71 - alt. 4,337 ft - Tenerosa Mountain Hut
  4. 3 : mi 2.88 - alt. 4,278 ft - Turn left
  5. 4 : mi 3.3 - alt. 3,970 ft - Junction with the GR 202
  6. 5 : mi 5.08 - alt. 2,123 ft - At Bulnes, continue along the PR-PNPE 19
  7. 6 : mi 5.35 - alt. 2,047 ft - Upper station of the funicular
  8. 7 : mi 5.64 - alt. 1,870 ft - Entrance to the Canal del Tejo
  9. E : mi 7.09 - alt. 833 ft - Parking

Notes

The weather is very changeable in the Picos de Europa, so do check the forecast before setting out: Weather

Drinking water is scarce in the Pics d’Europe, so please plan ahead.

Remember to book whatever you need: overnight accommodation, dinner, breakfast, or a picnic for the following day: Booking

It is possible to camp near the refuge; the camp must be set up at nightfall and taken down at daybreak.

A 1:25,000 map and a compass are essential:

Worth a visit

You can take a short break at the Tenerosa Mountain Refuge.

In Bulnes, there are bars and restaurants waiting for you.

If you’re feeling a bit tired, in Bulnes you can take the funicular, which will take you to Poncebos.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Pep 64
Pep 64

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely path up to the Tenerosa mountain hut; however, the descent to the village of Bulnés is, in my opinion, uninteresting and tedious. The path is shaded by hazel and ash trees, but the section leading to Bulnés is muddy, stony and very damp, making it rather slippery.
On the other hand, the descent towards Poncebos is superb, to the left of the funicular station, along a path running along a ledge above a magnificent gorge.

Machine-translated

Aquacyclopode
Aquacyclopode

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely descent. It’s worth noting that the only tricky bit is the approach path to the village of Bulnes. It’s a path with wet pebbles, so it’s very slippery. The rest is fairly easy.

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Other walks in the area

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Visorando Member
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Association / Club / Walk leader
↔9.05 mi ↗+1,391 ft ↘-3,629 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Camaleño (Cantabria)
This asymmetrical hike begins with an ascent by cable car, which explains the big difference between the positive and negative elevation gains. Superb views of the Picos de Europa and a good workout for your calves on the descent.

Walking Anillo Extrem – The Picos de Europa Circular Route in Spain

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↔53.23 mi ↗+25,646 ft ↘-25,663 ft ◔6 days ▲Extremely difficult
⚑Departure from Cabrales (Asturias)
WARNING! Following the removal of the handrail on the descent from Horcados Rojos (point (7) on the section from the Collado Jermoso Refuge to the Vega Urriellu Refuge), this hike is not recommended for anyone without good climbing experience. According to Tomas, the warden at the Vega Urriellu Refuge whom we met on 05/08/2023, an alternative route is being considered to bypass this difficulty. However, pending a solution, (the stage in question has been removed from the guide). Please therefore take care not to embark on this journey unprepared A magnificent circular route in the heart of the Picos de Europa. Composed mainly of karst rock, the Picos de Europa offer an extraordinary landscape. Sharp peaks, chaotic rock formations, scree slopes, dizzying drops and deep chasms. You will see numerous herds of chamois, flocks of vultures (always in great numbers), a few bearded vultures and all manner of domestic animals grazing peacefully.

Walking From Poncebos to the Vega de Ario Refuge via the Canal de Trea

Visorando Member
De Poncebos au Refuge de Vega de Ario par le Canal de Trea
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⚑Departure from Cabrales (Asturias)
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Walking Village of Bulnes

Visorando Member
Village de Bulnes
↔4.57 mi ↗+1,913 ft ↘-1,906 ft ◔3h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Cabrales (Asturias)
Bulnes is worth a visit for many reasons, whether by funicular railway or on foot. The village has an unusual atmosphere, a rural setting where you will see barely a dozen neighbours and a good number of Asturian houses, many in ruins, including the parish church. The advantage is that you can take the funicular railway one way or both ways. But hiking both ways is really the best option! Don't miss the Picu Urriellu viewpoint, also known as Naranjo de Bulnes, which is located a few minutes from the village of Bulnes. It offers a breathtaking panoramic view of this famous peak in the Picos de Europa.

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Visorando Member
Ruta del Cares de Poncebos à Caìn et retour
↔12.65 mi ↗+9,652 ft ↘-9,629 ft ◔14h 15 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Cabrales (Asturias)
Closed sections marked 2.3 km from the start (October 2025). The Ruta del Cares is undoubtedly the most beautiful route in the entire Picos de Europa mountain range, also known as Garganta Divina (Divine Gorge in Spanish). This path, carved into the rock on the mountainside, overlooks the Rio Cares for more than 10 kilometres. It will take you from Poncebos to Caìn through a breathtakingly beautiful gorge. N.B. The total elevation gain is overestimated: expect around 700 metres.

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Association / Club / Walk leader
↔4.82 mi ↗+1,942 ft ↘-794 ft ◔3h 55 ▲Moderate
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