EL PUERTO - PEÑA CHANA ROUTE

This is a five-star route for lovers of the high mountains. It leaves from the village of El Puerto and runs for much of its length through the Babia y Luna Natural Park. The aim is to reach the summit of the Sierra de L.lagüezos, Peña Chana, which offers a descent down a couloir that alpine-ski enthusiasts will love.

The route leaves El Puerto to the south-east, towards Peña Laguna. The valley is wide and offers several reference points. Also, if there is not too much snow, it is very easy to follow the track that leads to the Majada del Rañadoiro.

The route climbs very gradually until it reaches the foot of Peña Chana on its eastern side. Here a slightly steeper climb begins along a ridge which, although very broad, narrows in places. This ridge leads to the central couloir, down which you can descend. On this descent it is highly advisable to carry safety equipment such as an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, and to avoid adverse weather and days with a high avalanche risk.

The marked descent follows the same line as the ascent and is the most advisable because it is less exposed. Follow the same line to the shepherds' spring, where the descent route forks towards the Sierra del Robezo as far as the PR-AS 16, which brings you back to the northernmost part of the village of El Puerto.