Looking west from Acebal, at the highest point of the walk
Summary
This route takes you high into the mountains of the Parque Natural de Redes without ascending any of the summits, with views of Picu Torres - the highest in the park, and then descends the stunning Arrudos gorge. You can also visit the high lake, Lago Ubales.
Distance: 25.6 km
Total ascent: 1160 m
Duration: 9 hours 10 minutes
Maps: Parque Natural de Redes (1:40,000)
IGN 79 (14-06) Puebla de Lillo (1:50,000)
Route: PR.AS-61. Ruta de los Arrudos.
1. The route can be walked in either direction, this description is clockwise.
2. Start at La Encruijada, near the bar.
3. Follow the road for La Felguerina and pass the Ermita de Ricao.
4. Drop down on the right towards a stream for the turn to Infiesta.
5. Climb steeply to the village of Infiesta.
6. Follow the track to the Collada Vallegu, a pass reached just after going through a wooded area and turning sharply to the right. Here the track opens into high mountainous country at approximately 1500 metres, looking at the Sierra de Corteguero.
7. Continue along track to the next col, the Collado Miraorio (or Collado de la Canalina).
8. Following the track, descend from the Col before rising again and climbing steeply and round the hill to the highest point – the Collado de Acebal. This takes about 4 hours 30 minutes from La Encrucijada.
9. The summit of Cascayon to the south may tempt you, but do admire the high mountains, in particular Picu Torres at 2104 metres to the south-west.
10. Here you can take a detour to visit the high lake, Lago Ubales, this is signposted and takes about ten minutes.
11. From Acebal, descend south-west to the huts at Moyones, keeping away from the river bed on your right.
12. Descend to the huts at the Majada de Llede.
13. Here look for signs and waymarking, and follow a path on the right bank of the Arroyo Roxecu until you come to a stream crossing.
14. Follow the stream on the left hand side, the valley narrows into the main rocky part of the Arrudos gorge.
15. You pass a signpost to Picu Torres.
16. The gorge opens out and you follow a rural road, still in mountains, back to Caleao.
17. When you arrive at the main road near the village of Caleao, turn right to return to La Encrucijada, about 1.7 kilometres.
Link to a map of the route, you can click on the View in Google Earth button to see the route in 3D.
