The Cornión Massif or Western Massif of the Picos de Europa, was the origin of the creation of the National Park Picos de Europa, originally called Mountain of Covadonga National Park and first National Park in Spain. Is the most extensive and varied landscapes of the three that make up the Picos de Europa National Park. This massif, meets contrasts of green intense pastoral lands, with the aridity of the characteristic limestone of the Picos, next to the spectacular uniqueness of Lagos de Covadonga. It is the massif that hosts the largest forested areas, beeches of extraordinary beauty, and where, as in the other massifs, lack of water in height is a problem.

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For five days, crossing the Cornión Massif, we'll staying in their shelters and knowing some of the most emblematic and beautiful of this spectacular massif National Park Picos de Europa places.

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Program:

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Meeting point: Buferrera parking, in Covadonga Lakes.                               Duration: 5 days.

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Day 1: On our first day of trekking, depart from the Lagos de Covadonga (1,100m), to ascend to the Vegarredonda hut (1.410m) where we spend our first night. Beautiful day passing through symbolic places of the Picos de Europa, as Covadonga Lakes or "Pozo del Aleman", place whose name comes from Roberto Frassinelli, exceptional person. Crosing sheepfolds and going into western mountains heights, we'll arrive at the Vegarredonda refuge, where we spend our first night. If the day is clear, we'll go to the Mirador de Ordiales (1.750m), beautiful viewpoint to Amieva and Ponga, and where is buried Pedro Pidal, forerunner of the National Park and first climber, with Gregorio Perez "El Cainejo" (born in Cain village), of Picu Urriellu, the most significant mountain in the National Park.

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Day 2: During this long and hard day, we will walk one of the most classic routes of the massif, crossing the north to south, by the characteristic karst landscape of the heights of the Picos de Europa, where limestone rock chaos reigns between jous and hills, making the orientation is not easy. This is a good time to see Rebecos, ibex characteristic of the National Park. During this classic route, we will be accompanied by the highest peaks of the Massif, through Vega Huerta to enjoy the breathtaking view of the southern wall (600 vertical meters) of Peña Santa de Castilla, Cornión highest peak with 2,596 meters high. From here, we'll also enjoy beautiful views of the Central Massif and we'll descend to Vegavaño ​​hut (1,320m), located in a magnificent place surrounded by beautiful forests, to enjoy a deserved rest, after a long and hard day.

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Day 3: On our third day, we'll go to the village of Cain (460m), placed in a very beautiful place. Starting Vegabaño shelter, we will have a long and steady descent through forests, meadows, sheepfolds, and the villages of the beautiful Valdeón valley, in León county, bordering the Cornión massif by its southern side and visiting landmarks of the valley, as the Tombo viewpoint in Cordiñanes village or "Chorco de los lobos" on Corona sheepfold, to finish the day at the Refuge Hostel "el diablo de la peña", in the village of Cain, where we'll spend the night.

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Day 4: On this day, we will save one of the most important Cornión Massif slopes. Since Cain (460m), we will enter the spectacular Cares Gorge, crossing bridges and tunnels built in amazing places, to the Bolin's bridge, where the ascend of more than 1,000 meters of altitude begins in just 3 kilometers distance across Trea's Channel, to reach Vega de Ario hut (1.630m), where we spend our fourth night, the last of trekking. If the weather is clear and we still have strength, we'll ascend the Jultayu Peak (1.940m), impressive viewpoint over the Cares Gorge towards the Massif Central and the village of Cain. From Vega de Ario refuge also we can enjoy one of the best sunsets of the Picos de Europa.

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Day 5: On our last day, we can only descend from Vega de Ario hut (1.630m) to Lagos de Covadonga (1,100m), crossing the most beautiful sheepfold in Picos de Europa, as Vega Maor or Belbin. In Lagos de Covadonga we expect a deserved beer and we will conclude our trek through the Massif Cornión.

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Included:

• Mountain Guide qualified with UIMLA accreditation.

• Four nights accommodation in huts.

• Four half-board (dinner + breakfast) in shelters.

• Map 1: 25,000 Cornión Massif.

• Collective safety equipment.

• Accident insurance.

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Not included:

• Transport.

• Any other item not mentioned as included.

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Notes:

• In huts picnics can be purchased for each day, avoiding carry weight.

• There are blankets in huts. With a thin lead sheet sack or summer sleeping bag, its enough.

• The route can be altered depending on weather conditions, availability in huts and/or other things, always thinking about safety group.

 

Price: 450€* (VAT included)  * Price per person

Group 4 to 8 people

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