The Llaimo and
Alba valleys from the summit of Retriñon
Summary
The summit of Retriñon can be reached from:
1.
Felechosa; the route follows the Fresnedo valley and is described
by Robin Walker in “Walking in the Cordillera Cantábrica”;
2. Soto de Agues; from the Ruta del Alba, this needs permission from
the Parque Natural de Redes;
3. From Caleao; climbing out of the Xulio gorge and combining the
ascent with the Cabeza L’Arcu circular route.
From Caleao
Distance: 19
km
Total ascent: 1158
m
Time: 7
hours 20 minutes
Maps: Parque Natural de Redes (1:40,000)
IGN
79 (14-06) Puebla de Lillo (1:50,000)
Route: PR.AS-124 Ruta de la Cabeza L'Arcu, excluding the summit section.
1.
To reach Caleao, take the road south from Coballes, on the AS-117
between Rioseco and Campo de Caso.
2.
In Caleao there is a visitor's car park on the left as you enter
the village.
3.
In the small square where there is a bar, “Posada Casa Zulima”,
find the sign describing the route PR.AS-124 “Ruta Cabeza de el Arco”.
4.
Turn right from the sign and cross the stream by a simple bridge.
5.
The track starts with the sign “Excepto Vehiculos Autorizados”.
6.
Follow this track West for 2 kilometres, following signs for
PR.AS-124 and yellow and white paint marks in the spectacular gorge of the
Valle Xulio/Valle de Julio, between limestone cliffs.
7.
You will reach a path junction with this signpost. Take the LEFT path towards “Valle Xulio”, do
NOT take right turn marked “Pandefresno”.
8.
Continue, following signs and paint marks, to Collau
L’Arcu/Collado del Arcu, at 1346 metres, which is the highest point on the
PR.AS-124..
9.
Above this Col there are no signs or paint marks on the way to
Retriñon.
10. If you do not want to ascend
Retriñon, continue on the PR.AS-124 Ruta de la Cabeza L'Arcu, see 16 below.
11.
Look for a path on the right heading in a Westerly direction, and
follow this about 500 metres to reach a cattle drinking trough.
12. From the trough continue to
follow the path in to the forest.
13. The well used path takes you
through the forest to the Collau La Mezcla/Collado de la Muesca at 1662 metres
height.
14. Turn right and follow the
path to the summit of Picu Retriñon, at 1862 metres. There is a survey point, a concrete pillar
and various mailboxes to mark the summit!
But better are views of the Parque Natural de Redes from the Alba valley
to Picu Torres, of the distant Picos de Europa, and of the Caleao valley.
15.
Return to the Collau L’Arcu. If you do not want to complete the
circular route you can return to Caleao by the same path.
16. From the Col, follow the
signpost pointing downhill in a West direction. After 300 metres turn Right,
bearing South ignoring a path going straight on.
17.
Ensure that you can cross the river – “Riega Pandellina” – above
the cabins marked “Pandellina”, in order to follow this going East-West on the
RIGHT hand or true right bank.
18. You will pass a signpost
marked “Desfiladero de los Arrudos” and “Cabeza l’Arcu”.
19. As you enter the gorge, the
path stays high above the stream bed, on the right hand or South side, passing
through holly groves.
20. Follow tracks down, passing
another route signpost just before meeting the track by the “Riu los Arrudos” river and the PR.AS-1 Arrudos route.
21. At the moment (January 2012) there
is not a sign indicating that you should leave the Arrudos route for the
“Cabeza L’Arcu” route at the junction in this photo. So take care to take this
turning if you are following this route in the opposite direction.
22. Follow the Arrudos valley
northwards to return to Calleao.
Below is a 3D map of the route based on a GPS track. To see the route on a terrain or topographic map, click on the "Ter" button.
