Torre Cerredo
2,648 m
Spain
Also known as La Torre Cerréu, Torre de Cerredo, +1Also known as
La Torre Cerréu · Torre de Cerredo · Торре-де-Серредо
- Elevation
- 2,648 m
- Prominence
- 1,931 m
- Difficulty
- 5/10
- Easy alpine
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 2
RegulationReported 30 Mar 2026
New Picos de Europa National Park management plan (PRUG): in Asturias, Decreto 21/2026 of 16 March 2026 (BOPA 30 March 2026); in Castilla y León, Decreto 17/2025 of 11 December 2025. Bivouacking only above 1,800 m, without a tent, for up to 3 nights; no camping around staffed refuges. Some official park pages still show the old 1,600 m rule.
montanaregulada.org
Routes
2Sources differ: PD (montesdeasturias.com) · II (Camptocamp; montesdeasturias.com) · III (Fernando Zamora (mountain guide), short loose steps)
The most used line to the highest point of the Picos de Europa: walk from Pandébano under the Naranjo de Bulnes to the Urriellu refuge, cross the limestone karst via the Corona del Rasu and Horcada Arenera to the Jou de Cerredo, then climb about 120–150 m of exposed terraces and gullies (II–II+, short steps of III) on the SE flank. About 1,800 m of ascent; usually two days.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 11.2 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,755 m
- −222 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 2,648 m
- Time Up
- 7h 41m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 5h 39m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the end of the drivable track above Sotres (Invernales del Texu, about 1,120 m) walk up to the Collado de Pandébano (1,219 m), pass the Majada de la Terenosa and its small refuge, and climb via the Collado Vallejo to the Refugio de Urriellu (1,953 m) at the foot of the Naranjo de Bulnes (Picu Urriellu): 2–3 hours. Most parties sleep here. From the refuge head west across karst slabs and scree below the Naranjo, then up a gully with hands-on moves (the Corona del Rasu and the narrow Brecha de los Cazadores, grade II with a recently installed handrail) to the ridge north of the Diente de Urriellu, and traverse to the Horcada Arenera (2,273 m), where Torre Cerredo first comes into view. Traverse south on slabs to a col at about 2,340 m and descend slightly south-west, past a short exposed slab, into the Jou de Cerredo, where the path from the Jou de los Cabrones refuge joins. Snowfields often cover this section well into summer. The summit block is climbed by successive terraces and a gully on the SE flank: keep left, leave the first gully where it turns right towards Torre Labrouche, then climb a steeper, narrowing gully with good holds and traverse diagonally left to a last exposed step and the summit ridge. The scramble is about 120–150 m of II–II+, with short loose steps of III; it is easy but very exposed, and rockfall is common. Allow 4–5 hours from Urriellu to the summit and return the same way, or descend to the Jou de los Cabrones refuge and Bulnes. Route-finding across the karst is difficult in fog, which is frequent.
Start
Invernales del Texu1,115 m
- Seasonal buses run to Sotres and Poncebos from Arenas de Cabrales in summer (not verified for 2026); the track from Sotres to Pandébano is walkable.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Invernales del Texu → Refugio de Urriellu | 6.5 | 903 | 66 | 3h 57m |
| 2 | Refugio de Urriellu → Torre Cerredo | 4.8 | 851 | 157 | 3h 45m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Invernales del Texu1,115 m
- Col: Collado de Pandébano1,217 m
- Feature: Majada de la Terenosa1,306 m
- Hut: Refugio de Urriellu1,954 m
- Crux: Brecha de los Cazadores2,290 m
Narrow grade II passage with a handrail
- Col: Horcada Arenera2,277 m
- Feature: Jou de Cerredo2,220 m
Path from the Jou de los Cabrones refuge joins near here
- Summit: Torre Cerredo2,648 m
Key Passages
- Corona del Rasu gully and Brecha de los Cazadores
- Karst traverse from Horcada Arenera to the Jou de Cerredo
- Summit scramble on the SE flank (II+, short steps of III)
Equipment
0/8 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
The highest summit of the Picos de Europa and the Cantabrian Mountains (2,648 m), a limestone tower deep in the karst of the Urrieles massif. Reaching it means a long hut-based approach across trackless, often foggy karst and an exposed final scramble of grade II–III.
Torre Cerredo (Torrecerredo; La Torre Cerréu in Asturian) stands on the border of Asturias and León in the central Urrieles massif of the Picos de Europa National Park, rising about 2,200 m above the Cares gorge. With about 1,930 m of prominence it is one of the most prominent peaks in Iberia. The surrounding terrain is a maze of jous (karst sinkholes), limestone ridges and towers, with little water and no continuous paths.
The usual approaches start from the Urriellu refuge below the Naranjo de Bulnes, reached from Pandébano above Sotres, or from the small Jou de los Cabrones refuge above Bulnes. Both converge in the Jou de Cerredo below the SE flank, where a 120–150 m scramble on terraces and gullies (II–II+, short steps of III) leads to the summit. It is technically modest but exposed, loose in places and serious in fog or with snow.
Most parties take two days with a night in a refuge. Navigation across the karst, rockfall from the summit block and lingering snowfields are the main concerns; the views over the Cares gorge, the Naranjo de Bulnes and the Cantabrian coast are the reward.
Climbing Notes
Plan two days: day one to the Urriellu refuge (2–3 hours from Pandébano) or the Jou de los Cabrones refuge (4–6 hours from Bulnes), day two to the summit and down (9–12 hours from Urriellu back to the car). You need solid fitness for about 1,800 m of ascent, sure-footedness on karst and scree, and confidence scrambling exposed limestone at grade II–III; a helmet is essential, and less experienced parties should carry a harness and a short rope, although the scramble is hard to protect.
Until well into July, snowfields on the karst and in the Jou de Cerredo require crampons and an ice axe. Fog is frequent and the paths are faint and cairned, so carry map, compass and GPS and be ready to turn back. Carry all the water you need from the refuges. Book refuges in advance through the guardians: both fill quickly in July and August. Bivouacking is permitted only above 1,800 m without a tent under the national park's 2025–2026 management plan.
Local guides in Cabrales and Potes offer the ascent; consider one if you have little experience of navigation in karst terrain.
History
The first ascent is credited to Aymar d'Arlot de Saint-Saud and Paul Labrouche with François Salles of Gavarnie and the local guide Juan Suárez of Espinama, on 30 June 1892, probably by the harder east ridge rather than today's normal route. The French explorers' campaigns of the early 1890s first mapped much of the central massif. Neighbouring Torre Labrouche is named after Paul Labrouche.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Good
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter mountaineering only; avalanche risk; unguarded refuge rooms
- Feb
- Winter conditions
- Mar
- Winter conditions; Urriellu guarded from 15 March
- Apr
- Deep spring snow on the karst
- May
- Snow route; Jou de los Cabrones refuge opens in May
- Jun
- Extensive snowfields; crampons and axe needed
- Jul
- Best months; snow patches remain; frequent fog
- Aug
- Usually snow-free; busiest period; springs may dry up
- Sep
- Often stable and quieter
- Oct
- Shorter days; Cabrones refuge closes during October; early snow possible
- Nov
- Early winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter; Urriellu guarded until 15 December
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Book with the refuge guardians by phone or email and arrive before 19:00; federated members have priority and a deposit of up to 50% may be requested. Refugio de Urriellu: refugiodeurriellu.com (64 places, guarded 15 March – 15 December). Refugio Jou de los Cabrones: refugiojoudeloscabrones.com (18 places, guarded May – October).
- Fees
- Refuge overnight (FEMPA): EUR 13 for federated members, EUR 18 otherwise; breakfast EUR 7, meals EUR 18
- Bulnes funicular (Poncebos – Bulnes) is paid
- Rules
- Picos de Europa National Park: bivouacking only above 1,800 m, without a tent (except in bad weather or force majeure), for up to 3 nights and linked to mountaineering; groups over 10 need authorisation
- No camping around staffed refuges; at most one night at unstaffed refuges except in emergencies
- Free camping is not allowed anywhere in the park
- Getting There
Arenas de Cabrales (Asturias); Sotres and Bulnes are the trailhead villages
Asturias Airport (OVD); Santander (SDR)
- Pandébano: drive from Arenas de Cabrales via Poncebos to Sotres, then the track towards Pandébano (end of the drivable section at Invernales del Texu)
- Bulnes: Bulnes funicular from Poncebos, or 1½–2 hours on foot
- Buses run from Oviedo to Arenas de Cabrales; summer buses to Poncebos and Sotres should be checked locally
Hazards
- Rockfall
- Exposure
- Weather
- Remoteness
- Avalanche
Huts & Shelters
2- 1,953 m
Refugio de UrrielluRefugeStaffedBooking required
64 beds · Guarded 15 March – 15 December; 12 places in the winter room
- 2,034 m
Refugio Jou de los CabronesRefugeStaffedBooking required
18 beds · Guarded May – October; 20 places with mattresses when unguarded