LA FARRAPONA - LAKES - LA LLÁVANA ROUTE

The route is not physically demanding and allows a large number of freeride skiing variants, with very steep couloirs and spectacular views of the frozen lakes. The Alto de La Farrapona gives access at high altitude at times when snow is scarce, and the north faces of the Picos Albos hold enough snow for quality descents well into spring.

The route starts at the car park of the Alto de La Farrapona or Collada de Balbarán, on the provincial border with León, from where a track descends to the village of Torrestío. As you arrive at the car park, at its start on the right-hand side, take the track towards the Saliencia lakes.

After about 1.5 km you reach the first of the lakes, Lago La Cueva.

We stress again the need for caution on this stretch, both because of the avalanches and rocks that can fall from the walls it passes beneath, and because of the areas of accumulated snow where, once frozen, crampons are essential, as a fall would be very exposed.

Continue for about two hundred metres more, skirting the lake, to a fork in the track, where you take the right-hand branch, which tends upwards towards the old Santa Rita iron mine.

This was the last working iron mine in Asturias: it was worked from 1805 to 1978 and had as many as 300 workers in the 1960s. Afterwards, good work was done on the natural restoration of the area.

Once at Lago La Cueva, the danger falls greatly and you can enjoy beautiful views as you cross this lake area which, with luck, you may find frozen. Lago Cerveiriz and its meadow are where you are heading, with several couloirs for the climb towards La Llávana. Before descending to the Vega Cerveiriz, it is important to assess the terrain of the climbs to the La Llávana and Pico Albo Occidental variants.

The climb to Pico La Llávana is not especially difficult and gives spectacular 360-degree views.

A nice place to stop is at some crags near the Laguna de Cebolléu, from where you can see numerous descent options and chamois are often sighted.

The Picos Albos are very well suited to expert skiers and freeride lovers, as they allow numerous lines, down both to Lago Calabazosa and to Lago Cerveiriz.

On the way back, the descent to Lago La Cueva can be made by the zigzag track, or you can look for steeper lines, always aware that there are very steep steps and that you are in a mountain environment where a rescue can be critical.