Excursion to the Naranjo de Bulnes

The Picos de Europa form one of the most abrupt mountain ranges with the greatest personality on the Iberian Peninsula. The Naranjo de Bulnes, also known as Pico Urriellu, is the most complicated and inaccessible peak of all the Picos de Europa. Our route invites you to approach its base, from where you will get a close-up view of the haughty and defiant silhouette of this colossus of more than 2,500 metres high.

• Duration4 hours to the Vallejo pass; 7.5 hours to the base of the Naranjo de Bulnes.
• Approximate distance6.5 km to the Vallejo pass; 8.5 km to the base of Naranjo de Bulnes. Total difference in altitude of 1,070 m.
• Difficulty: high
• PlacePicos de Europa (Asturias)
• Recommended time of year: July

Although there are many ways to reach the Vega Urriellu area, the classic and simplest route is to start from the small Asturian town of Sotres. From there, go down the road and, at a sharp bend, take the track that leads to Aliva. Then take the turn-off that leads to the Texu wintering grounds, crossing the typical livestock huts. The ascent begins in the Cabao huts, towards the Pandébano pass, where the track ends and the path begins. Once on the path, head towards the Terenosa sheepfold. From this area you reach the Vallejo pass, where the route turns south and from where you can already make out Pico Urriellu. From here the route zigzags up to Vega Urriellu where the refuge of the same name is located, at an altitude of 1,960 metres.

With a bit of luck during the walk you can spot some emblematic species of the fauna of the Picos de Europa, such as the capercaillie, and hear a characteristic sound of these mountain forests, the chirping of the black woodpecker. Other smaller forest birds in the area include the nuthatch, the northern treecreeper, the coal tit, the robin and the goldcrest. Among the mammals that the walker may come across are roe deer and wild boar, and in the thicker areas, wild cat, polecat, polecat, marten and stoat.