From Covaleda to the Pico de Urbión on the GR 86.1

The GR 86.1 climbs from Covaleda to the Pico de Urbión in 16.2 km and about five hours, of high difficulty according to the Junta. It is the route for anyone who wants Urbión without going via the Laguna Negra, through Scots pine forests and high meadows. On the slopes of Urbión, at 2,228 metres, the River Duero rises. Arrange a car for the return or allow the whole day.

The route

Covaleda town council publishes its own, fuller version, as the "Ruta Pico de Urbión". It leaves the Plaza Mayor in the direction of Soria along the road, passes the hermitage of Nuestra Señora del Campo and, about a hundred metres later, at the bend, takes a tarmac track with a signpost marked "Bocalprado" to join the GR 86. Continue to the Becedo refuge, along a track, a sheepfold and the Mancerías meadows, and then, following the red and white GR waymarks, to the Muchachón refuge. From there it joins a track, which leads to the so-called Cruce de las Lagunas, and along it to the Pico de Urbión, where it joins the GR again just before the summit.

For the return, the council suggests coming down the north slope, the one carved by the glacier: from the base of the peak, along the GR 86 towards the Laguna Larga; then towards the Zurraquín pass and the Laguna Helada; and from there, by the track, to the Laguna Negra viewpoint, which according to the municipal sheet gives the best view of the lake. You return to Covaleda by the Muchachón refuge. In this circular version it is 23.9 km, about five hours of walking, of moderate-to-hard difficulty. The track can be downloaded from the council's website.

Doing part of it by car

The same sheet explains that you can shorten it a lot: by car, from the Plaza Mayor towards Burgos and along the track from the industrial estate, to the Becedo refuge, and start walking there. You can also continue by track from the Bocalprado refuge towards the Laguna Helada and the Laguna Negra viewpoint, as far as a car park.

Before you set out

It is a real mountain route: from June to October, without snow, with a good forecast and setting out early. There is no shade at the top and the weather changes quickly. Take water for the whole day, warm clothing, a map or the downloaded track and mountain footwear. Ask at the Casa del Parque, near Vinuesa, about the condition of the paths.

If you prefer to start at the lake, the Glacial Lakes Trail climbs Urbión in a 13 km circuit from the Laguna Negra. To stay in the area, the Santa Inés rural hotel is on the road from Vinuesa to the Laguna Negra.