The Integral Ring of Picos runs through the three massifs of the Picos de Europa National Park . It is one  one of the most demanding treks that can be done in the Iberian Peninsula and it is one of those treks that cannot be missing in the backpack of every mountain lover.

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We will start in Poncebos, heading to the Western or Cornión Massif, the one that gave rise to the National Park and the one with the most varied landscapes. We will make some modifications to the itinerary marked by the Ring of Peaks, to give it the Picos Outdoor seal and improve it, passing through places that we consider a must-see such as the Trea Canal, 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 out by the Cares and Duje rivers, undoubtedly the wildest, the one with the greatest unevenness and where the highest and most representative peaks of the Park are located National, 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 mountain and the National Park and the place where they have been written, since its conquest in 1905, the most beautiful pages of mountaineering in the Iberian Peninsula. It is in this massif where these mountains reach their maximum expression, with an unbeatable high mountain environment, concentrating a large number of peaks in a relatively small area, unmatched in any other mountain range on the peninsula, where there are other higher mountains, but not so wild and inaccessible. We will also tour the Eastern or Andara Massif, ascending the Jidiellu channel and resting in its only guarded refuge, the Andara caisson.

 

For six days we will visit all the protected refuges of Picos de Europa, the most emblematic and beautiful places of the Picos de Europa National Park , in a demanding but unforgettable trek that cannot be missing from your backpack.

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Program:

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Meeting point: Hostal Poncebos, Poncebos, Cabrales.              Duration: 6 days.

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Day 1: On our first day of trekking, we will depart from Puente Poncebos (218m) , to make a section of the famous, popular and spectacular Ruta del Cares , one of the most impressive gorges in the world, until we reach the detour to the demanding Canal de Trea , which we will ascend to reach the Vega de Ario Refuge and enjoy its impressive views towards the Central and Western Massif and better treatment from its staff. With great sadness we must leave Vega de Ario,  to go, entering the limestone chaos characteristic of Picos de Europa, to the Vegarredonda Refuge (1,410m), where we will spend our first night of this demanding trek.

INFO MEASURES

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Day 2: During this long and hard day, we will make one of the most classic routes of the Western Massif, crossing east from North to South, through the characteristic karstic landscape of the high altitudes of Los Picos de Europa, where rock chaos reigns. limestone between jous and cols, making orientation not easy at all. This is a favorable day to see chamois, a characteristic animal of the National Park. During this classic route, we will be accompanied by the highest heights of the Massif, passing through Vega Huerta to enjoy the impressive view of the southern wall (600 meters of unevenness) of Peña Santa de Castilla , the highest point of the Cornión with 2,495 meters of height. . From this plain, from which we will also enjoy beautiful views of the Central massif, we will descend through the Frade pass towards the Vegabaño Refuge (1,320m), located in a magnificent place surrounded by beautiful forests, to enjoy a well-deserved rest, After a long and hard day...

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Day 3:  Beautiful and hard day, in which we will enter the Massif Central, and that will take us from  Vegabaño to the beautiful valley of Valdeón, and from there, overcoming a significant difference in level, reach the refuge of Collado Jermoso (2,046m). We will descend to the beautiful Valdeón Valley, to the town of Cordiñnes, from where we will start the ascent through the beautiful Asotín beech forest that will leave us in the Vega de Asotín , a beautiful and spectacular place. From here we will ascend to the Collado Jermoso refuge, located in one of the most spectacular and beautiful places in the entire National Park. Located on the edge of a precipice and surrounded by the steep peaks of the Llambrión group, in front of the spectacular Torre del Friero , and with magnificent views of the Valdeón valley and the Cornión Massif, with Peña Santa always standing out. Despite the hard day, everyone will be satisfied to stay in such a place, run by a fantastic team.

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Day 4: Another spectacular day with a change of massif included, since we are going to the Eastern Massif or Andara. We enter the Massif Central crossing several Jous to the Tiro de Casares, from where we will have to pass through a chaos of limestone to reach the Cabaña Verónica Refuge, all peculiar and located in an amazing place. Once the passport is stamped, we will head along the Vuelta towards Aliva to run through the Duje Valley to the entrance of the Jidiellu Canal, the last adversity of the day to reach the Valdominguero pass. We still have a gentle descent to reach the Casetón de Andara Refuge, where we will spend the night.

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Day 5: We change again the massif to return to the Central Massif , descending to the beautiful village of Sotres and the winter mountains of the same name to ascend to the Collado de Pandebano and the La Terenosa Refuge , where we will stamp our passport while having a drink with your 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 summit of all those that make up the National Park, Picu Urriellu, and in its most spectacular part, its impressive west wall, with more than 500 meters high, authentic reference of Spanish mountaineering. An unforgettable place , both for the beauty and for the symbolic.

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Day 6: We leave the Urriellu refuge, to go to the Cabrones refuge , base of the mountain sector where the highest peak of the entire National Park with 2,648 meters, Torrecerredo, is located. Next, we will go, passing in front of another emblematic summit such as Cabrones, towards the refuge of the same name, where we will stamp the passport. We only have a long and steep descent from the Cabrones refuge (2,030m) to Puente Poncebos (218m) . We will go down the Cuesta del Trave and the Canal de Amuesa to reach the beautiful town of Bulnes (648m), inaccessible by vehicle and only reachable by the El Tejo canal or the Pandébano pass until the construction of a funicular from Poncebos.  From Bulnes, we only have to go down the Tejo channel to Poncebos, where we will spend the night and finish our beautiful and unforgettable adventure.

INFO MEASURES

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INFO MEASURES TOTAL

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It includes:

• Certified Mountain Guide Service with AEGM-UIMLA accreditation.

• Six nights of accommodation in shelters.

• Six half boards (dinner + breakfast) in the shelters.

• Passport of the Ring of Peaks.

• Collective security material.

• Accident insurance and RC.

 

Does not include:

• Transport.

• Any other item not mentioned as included.

 

Grades:

• In the shelters you can buy picnics for each day, avoiding carrying weight.

• In the shelters there are blankets. Carrying a thin sack or a sheet sack is enough.

• The route may be altered depending on the weather conditions, availability in the shelters and/or other types of circumstances, always keeping in mind the safety of the group.

 

Price: €630*  (VAT included). * Price per person

Group of 4 to 8 people

Picos Outdoor only obtains benefits from the guide service