El Cabril Route

Route Description

The El Cabril Route (PR.AS-110) is a demanding but enormously rewarding excursion. We enter one of the wildest and most isolated corners of Western Asturias.

We depart from Xinestosu, a town famous for its artisanal cheese (Genestoso Cheese) and its well-preserved traditional architecture. The path ascends following old paths of nomadic shepherds towards the high altitude brañas.

The landscape changes from the closed valley to the large expanses of high mountains. The objective is to reach the high area where lagoons of glacial origin are hidden, small blue jewels surrounded by sharp peaks. It is the territory of chamois, golden eagles and, with great luck, brown bears (although it is difficult to see them).

The descent through the Fanarrionda valley completes the circle, offering a different perspective of the valley and allowing you to enjoy the solitude of these mountains.

💡 Practical Tips

• Climate: It is high in the mountains and the weather changes quickly. Fog is frequent and dangerous in the high area.
• Cheese: Don’t leave Xinestosu without trying or buying their cheese, a unique delight.
• Guidance: The trail may be blurry in areas of tall grass. Take GPS.
• Permission: Regulated access: the route crosses bear habitat and, under Decree 10/2015, it may only be walked from 16 June to 15 August and from 1 October to 30 November. Plan your outing within those periods and respect the wildlife as much as possible.

📸 Key Points

• The town of Xinestosu and its ethnographic environment.
• The brañas of shepherds scattered along the route.
• The alpine views from the El Cabril ridge.