Soto de Agues to Caleao via Isornu (or vice versa)

Caleao from the Isornu col

Summary

A walk from Soto de Agues to Calleao over the Colláu Isornu (or Collado Isornu) col, mainly along farm tracks. Or the same route from Caleao to Soto de Agues.

The route can be varied by linking the Isornu and Fresnos cols, but route finding is uncertain in poor visibility.

From Soto de Agues to Caleao

Distance: 12.5 km

Total ascent: 762 m

Duration: 4 hours 50 minutes

Maps: Parque Natural de Redes (1:40,000)

IGN 54 (14-05) Rioseco (1:50,000)

IGN 79 (14-06) Puebla de Lillo (1:50,000)

Route: PR.AS-120 as far as Colláu Isornu.

1. Ample parking is available at the entrance to Soto de Agues at the visitor's car park. There is no parking in the village.
2. From Soto de Agues, follow signs to the Ruta del Alba at the southern end of the village. The route starts by a "lavadero" or restored wash-house.
3. Follow the Ruta del Alba past the fish farm (Piscifactoria del Alba).
4. Follow the Ruta along a concrete road for about 4 kilometres to the "Puente Retortoriu".
5. Take the track on the left.
6. Ignore the track junction on the left which goes to Fresnos.
7. Follow this track for 3.6 kilometres, passing various cabañas or farm buildings, until you reach the end of the surfaced track.
8. After a few hundred metres the unsurfaced road ends, continue for a kilometre, following a path to a path signpost and then reaching the col at an elevation of 1210 metres.
9. Follow the obvious farm track down to the village of Caleao for approximately 3 kilometres, descending some 500 metres.
10. The bar - Posada Casa Zulima – is in the small square lower in the village, this is closed on Tuesdays. You can also visit the 16th Century church, Iglesia de Santa Maria la Real.

Link to a map of the route, you can click on the Earth button to see the route in 3D.

From Caleao to Soto de Agues via Isornu

1. Starting at the church in Caleao, follow rising streets to the Lavaderu la Regata, a washing place part of the villages’s “Paseo de Agua” or water route, with a prominent signpost.

2. From here aim WNW to pick up the farm track at a sign: “Excepto Vehiculos Autorizados”.

3. Pass the water tank for the village, with the sign “Parroquia Rural de Caliao – Depósito de Agua de Consumo Humano”.

4. Continue following the major track until you reach the Collado Isornu at an elevation of 1210 metres.

5. Look for the path signpost, and then take care to take the path heading downhill to the highest cabaña or cabin.

6. From this cabin follow the path until you reach the farm track after a few hundred metres.

7. The path soon becomes a surfaced track, descend this track to the Alba valley and the Ruta del Alba at the "Puente Retortoriu".

8. Turn right/North along the Ruta to return to Soto de Agues, about 4 kilometres.

Note on the PR.AS-120 route linking Isornu and Fresnos

To walk from the Colláu Isornu to the small collection of farm cabins known as Fresnos and descend to El Retortoriu using the other track, you can follow paths with paint waymarkings.

Although there are waymarks, the path is not always clear. This is particularly the case where the path enters bracken and may disappear.

Click here for a route description.