Refugio de Urriellu

A night at the foot of the Picu

The refuge is in the Vega de Urriellu, at 1,960 metres, in the central massif of the Picos de Europa and just below the west face of the Naranjo de Bulnes. It is run by the Federación de Montaña del Principado de Asturias (FEMPA) and there has been a refuge in the vega since 1954; the current building was put up between 1989 and 1990 with materials flown up by helicopter.

You sleep in continuous bunks, in shared dormitories of 16 places, with a mattress, pillow and a duvet per place. Its website speaks of 64 places; the booking centre still says 96. The toilets are outside the dormitories and there are no showers, because water is scarce; there is no free kitchen either. There is electric light, a fountain outside, lockers with padlocks and refuge footwear.

What the night is like

Go up with the idea of a mountain refuge, not a hostel. Boots stay outside the dormitories, which open at 21:00 in summer and 19:00 in winter, and must be left by 9:00. Quiet hours run from 23:00 to 7:00. You are at almost 2,000 metres: bring a coat for the evening, and expect snow in the vega outside summer.

You can't get there by car. From the Sotres area it is 3 h 30 to 4 h of climb and a little over 1,000 metres of ascent; from Bulnes, by the Canal de Balcosín, 5 h 30 to 7 h; and from the Fuente Dé cable car, by Horcados Rojos, 3 to 4 h over high-mountain terrain. Children can sleep there, at a reduced rate, if they can manage the climb. No animals are admitted inside the refuge, so with a dog it is not an option.

Season, prices and booking

It is staffed from 15 March to 15 December. The rest of the year only a bivouac area with six bunks, blankets and water outside remains open. The overnight stay costs €15 for federation members and €20 for non-members over 14; under-14s pay €9 or €15. Breakfast is €8 and dinner or lunch, €19. The bar also serves sandwiches, tapas and a packed lunch for the next day.

You book through the Picos de Europa refuge booking centre. Federation members have priority, and the reserved place is kept if you arrive before 19:00; after that it is allocated in order of arrival. You can't stay more than three nights in a row. In summer, and especially at weekends, book in advance.

The classic climb is in the route from Sotres to the Vega de Urriellu. If you go up from Bulnes, you can save yourself the first stretch with the Bulnes funicular.