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Bivouac in Jou de los Cabrones. Urrieles Circular Route. Picos de Europa

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170€
By participant

Scheduled trips

  • 23/07/2022


  Programa en PDF

The trip

Spend 2 days in the mountains with a circular route in the Urrieles Massif in Picos de Europa. We will walk in the north face of the central massif, enjoying the views of the most emblematic summits of Picos, like Pico de los Cabrones, Torrecerredo and Picu Urriellu, bivouacking at Jou de los Cabrones, a spectacular place for an exciting night.

We will go up from Poncebos passing by the village of Bulnes and the Amuesa Canal to reach our bivouac. For the way back, we will close the circle passing by Urriellu, Bulnes and returning to Poncebos.

The destination

Picos de Europa is a fantastic limestone massif next to the Cantabrian Sea, that spreads across Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León. They were the first European land that sailors used to see when they were returning from America in the past, and therefore its name Picos de Europa.

To tell the truth, Picos de Europa or just “Picos”, is not just one massif but three: The western massif or Cornión, the central massif or the Urrieles and the southern massif or Ándara.

It is in Urrieles where we find the highest peaks of Picos de Europa. Torre de Cerredo or Torrecerréu (2.650 m) is the roof of Picos and Naranjo de Bulnes or Picu Urriellu (2.519 m) the most emblematic peak, specially its spectacular west face, that plays a main role in the history of the Spanish alpinism.

Regarding the other two massifs, Cornión is the biggest one in extension highlighting Torre Santa or Peña Santa de Castilla (2.596 m), and Ándara is the modest one in height and extension, with Morra de Lechugales (2.444 m) being its highest peak.

Highlights

Equipment required

  • Backpack (between 30-35 litres).
  • Trekking boots or sneakers.
  • Telescopic poles.
  • Technical clothes:
    • Socks.
    • Long and light trekking pants.
    • Thermal t-shirt (base layer). A spare one.
    • Fleece jacket or similar (second layer).
    • Gore-Tex or similar jacket and pants (third layer).
    • Primaloft jacket or similar.
    • Light and thick gloves.
    • Woollen cap and sun cap.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Head lamp (extra batteries)
  • Sleeping bad (At least 0 degrees comfort).
  • Mat
  • Canteen or camelback (minimum 1 litre).
  • First aid kit and essential toiletries
  • Sunscreen and SPF lip balm
  • Camera or photo equipment (optional)
  • Food for two days (sandwiches, energy bars…).

Notes

Links of interest

Labels

23/07/2022

Trip basis

  • Departure::23/07/2022
  • Arrival:24/07/2022
  • Duration: 2 días
  • Destination:Picos de Europa
  • Activity:--
  • Level: NF***/TT**
  • Mín-max group:3-6 participants
  • Reference:20-54--SP

Prices per participant

Price. 170€

Day 1. Poncebos-Bulnes-Amuesa-Cabrones

Jou de los Cabrones is located at the heart of the Central Massif of Picos de Europa, surrounded by by the highest summit of the Cantabrian Mountain Range. Our route to get there climbs steeply into an area of great wilderness. We will pass by the village of Bulnes and then, we will ascent through the Amuesa Canal a plateau with the same name, a pasture land during the summer months. The second part of the route penetrates into the highest parts of the mountains, through a hard and steep path leading to Jou de los Cabrones, where we will set up our bivouac.

Distance 13 km Ascent +1800 m   -70 m

Day 2. Cabrones-Urriellu-Bulnes-Poncebos

In our second journey, we will walk to Vega de Urriellu where we will find the famous Picu Urriellu, also known as Naranjo de Bulnes, an emblem of Picos. From here we have several options for our way down, completing our route descending to Bulnes, and finally to Poncebos.

Distance 15 km Ascent +400m   -2000 m

Including

  • Mountain Guide service during the trekking
  • Rescue and accident insurance.
  • Trip organization and management.

Not including

  • Transportation to the starting point. Muntania can arrange this under request.
  • Accommodation in Arenas de Cabrales the first night. Management can be requested.
  • Lunch.