Refuges
Nov 13th, 2011 by Nigel Burch (Hotel Posada del Valle)
A good network of mountain refuges exists in the Picos de Europa, allowing multi-day walking routes, or simply to stay up high in the mountains for a few nights. Sleeping bags are necessary. Opening times can vary, and it is advisable to contact the refuges themselves. Most provide a meals service. The most useful refuges are:-
Refugio diego mella, collada jermosa
Western massif.
Vegarredonda – Open from March. 2½ hours from lake Enol, on the way to Ordiales viewpoint and Hou Santu.
(0034) 985 929 952
Vega de Ario – Also known as Pedro Pidal. Open May to October. 2½ hours from lake Ercina, on the way to Jultayo peak, and the Canal de Trea descent into the Cares gorge.
(0034) 639 812 069 (mobile)
Vegavaño – Open from mid-March to mid-January. In the forests above Soto de Sajambre.
(0034) 699 633 244 (mobile)
Cabaña de pastores – Summer only. Near lake Enol. Run by Cangas de Onís council.
(0034) 985 849 261
Jou de los cabrones
Central massif.
Vega Uriellu – Also known as Julian Delgado Ubeda. Open all year. At the foot of Picu Uriellu (the Naranjo de Bulnes).
(0034) 985 925 200
Hou los Cabrones – Also known as José Ramón Lueje. Open May to October. Used as a base for ascents of Torrecerredo and other high summits.
(0034) 650 780 381 (mobile)
Collado Jermoso – Also known as Diego Mella. Open May to October. Used as a base for peaks such as Torre Palanca and Llambrión.
(0034) 616 904 353 (mobile)
Terenosa – Open May to October. At the col between Bulnes and Sotres, on the way up to the Uriellu area.
(0034) 985 252 362
Hotel de Aliva – Open May to September. More of a hotel than a refuge. Accessible by 4WD track.
(0034) 942 730 999 or 942 736 610
El Redondo – Private refuge on the campsite at Fuente De. Open all year.
(0034) 942 736 699
www.elredondopicosdeeuropa.com
Andara in winter
Eastern massif.
Andara – Open all year. Old mine building at the foot of the peaks above Sotres.
(0034) 985 846 487 or 671 404 277 (mobile)
www.casetondeandara.iespana.es
Albergue Peña Castil – In the village of Sotres.
(0034) 985 945 040 or 629 820 226 (mobile)
Some refuges allow camping nearby depending on how full the refuge is. Wild camping is permitted inside the national park as long as you are above 1600m altitude, it is for one night only, and you put your tent up no sooner than one hour before sunset and take it down again no later than one hour after sunrise. Otherwise, there are private campsites at Soto de Cangas (near Cangas de Onís), Avín (between Cangas de Onís and Arenas de Cabrales), Arenas de Cabrales itself, Potes, Fuente De, and Santa Marina de Valdeón (near Posada de Valdeón).
