Climb the famous Naranjo de Bulnes (Picu Urriellu), in the Picos de Europa range in Spain, along with Palan, an AEGM-certified mountain guide. Enjoy an amazing 2-day rock climbing program!
Private
Cantabrian Mountains
2 Days
Jun - Sep
High
Intermediate
In the heart of the Picos de Europa range, a huge area of wild limestone peaks and deep gorges, stands Spain’s most famous mountain, the Naranjo de Bulnes (2519m). Locally known as Picu Urriellu, it’s an imposing tower with magnificent multi-pitch routes on its four faces, ranging from about 4b to 8c+.
These massive walls gather stunning lines on good to perfect rock, from 5-6 pitches (250m) up to over 20+ pitches (750m), being also home to the first modern climb in spanish alpinism, when Pedro Pidal and Gregorio Pérez, El Cainejo, dare to venture through the dizzying north face in 1904 and subsequently climbed down by the same route!
We offer you the chance to climb this iconic mountain in a 2-day program, chosing between one of its four faces. Some of the most recommended routes would be:
South Face’s Directa de los Martínez. The easiest and most popular route to get to the top, with perfect rock and mostly IV graded with a short section of V, 175m long + 150m of scrambling.
**North Face’s Pidal-Cainejo.**The route followed by the pioneers in 1904, 450m long and V-, is a route worth climbing. Makes you wonder how they could climb and downclimb this wall more than a century ago with their primitive gear.
**East Face’s Cepeda.**A classic climb that goes through right to left, smartly avoiding the hardest sections of this face. A short bouldery crux goes on 6a but the overall difficulties go on the V/V+ grade on most of its 350m.
East Face’s Amistad con el Diablo. It’s name refers to the classic Rolling Stones Sympathy for the Devil song and its 220 m and V+ difficulties stand on excellent and beautiful rock, directly following the central part of the intimidating East Face, to join Cepeda above.
Increasing the length and difficulty of the climb we can choose routes like Sagitario (200m, 6b), Leiva (550m, 7b), Murciana (550m, 7c+) or the legendary Rabadá-Navarro (750m, 6c), all on the West Face, which can be aided on the most difficult sections.
Located in Northern Spain, the Picos de Europa range features a lot more beyond Naranjo de Bulnes, tons of peaks and walls with endless climbing potential and classic climbs in all sort of styles, sizes and difficulties: Horcados Rojos, Peña Olvidada, Peña Santa, Torre Cerredo or Peña Vieja to name just a few.
This programme is an amazing opportunity to climb Spain’s most famous peak and to discover Northern Spain spectacular landscapes, while enjoying a great and varied gastronomic offer, with the possibility of enjoying nearby beaches on rest days.
Please note you need some previous climbing experience and a good fitness level to join this ascent.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to conquer Naranjo de Bulnes. Send me a request to book this trip and venture yourself into an enjoyable ascent with spectacular views of the Picos de Europa range! Longer climbing trips and other Picos de Europa peaks or walls are available on request.
Today we’ll meet either at Arenas de Cabrales (Asturias) or Potes (Cantabria) to hike up to Julián Delgado Ubeda Refuge (also known as Vega Urriellu), a comfy mountain hut with nearly 100 places, situated directly below the famous 500m west face of Naranjo de Bulnes.
Today we will follow one of the remarkable routes to Naranjo de Bulnes summit. From the top, we will enjoy a spectacular view of peaks emerging among the sea of clouds, capturing mental images you will never forget. If the weather is good, you may also get to see the Cantabric Sea.
More info
Equipment list: climbing shoes (we can help you if there is anything that you need).
Meeting point
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
5.0
(20)
Mountain Guide
Born in a climbing family it was a matter of time for me to fall deeply in love with anything that had to do with rock climbing, ranging from bouldering to big walls and specially trad climbing, enjoying every single aspect of this beautiful sport that I live as a lifestyle. I began climbing at an early age with my brother in La Pedriza, a huge granite range with 4000+ routes close to our home in the nearby mountains in Madrid. Known mainly for its bold slab climbing, features world class climbs on sort of styles: cracks, overhanging walls, multi-pitch, aid... all gathered in these iconic climbing paradise.
I soon began to travel throughout Europe and the US, exploring also Morocco, Turkey or Madagascar, not only for climbing or putting up new routes, but also to experience different cultures and getting to know wonderful people all around the world.
It's been five years since I decided to turn my passion into a career. In this time I have combined working 2 years as the specialist for climbing matters in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park with training Rock Guide aspirants at CFEM, one of the spanish certified Rock Guiding Teaching Centers. I also had time to enjoy teaching and training people at the climbing wall, learning a lot from every one of my trainees. And of course, I had time for guiding people on the most beautiful climbs, making people dreams come true and making sure the time we spend together becomes unique.
Nowadays I run a small guiding company called Compañía de Guías de la Zona Centro with my two partners Dani and Aitor, nestled at Manzanares El Real, the entrance gate to La Pedriza. From there we're happy to share all the possibilities that this region has to offer, ranging from hiking, through skiing and alpine climbing, to rock climbing and canyoning.
Languages
French | English
Certificates
AEGM
Ian
Absolutely totally brilliant. I cannot recommend Palan enough.
Phil
Once in a lifetime experience. Palan is a very experienced guide. He will take you on an adventure no matter what level you are and the views are always amazing!
Sadamu
Palan's technique was excellet. He always has a cool judgment and safety on the climbing. I could enjoy Bulnes climbing with his tight support. If I have more chance, I will do with him. Thanks!!
Nicholas
Palan was one of the best guides that I have ever had. He paid extremely close attention to detail while supporting a very friendly and personable environment. He lead us up to the top of Naranjo del Bulnes very efficiently and safely. This trip definitely ranks among the coolest experiences of my life!
Krystal
Great experience! Everything was fun and organized well. Palan was such a great guide- nice, friendly and knowledgeable. We will definitely book another trip with him next time we are in Spain!
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