Mofrechu Peak Route

Info

This is a technically simple ascent in which most of it runs along a concrete track for the off-road vehicles of the livestock farmers who bring their cattle up to graze in the area in the summer.

This is to a large extent the landscape that we are going to find, that of the mountain brañas, of the pastures mixed with the limestone, but if we look further on, it is a landscape of two very deep and narrow valleys surrounded by high mountains, on the south face of the Mofrechu.

On our ascent, one tree stands out above all because of its rarity: the Pyrenean oak, with its hairy leaves, soft to the touch like velvet, more typical of Mediterranean climates and which here we find hidden in a part of the more siliceous soil in a sunny area. Another, the ash tree, can be found in all the sheepfolds where there are shepherds' huts.

The north face gives us another great landscape, the end of the Sella valley, its mouth, the fertile lands of Lloviu/Llovio, Ribadesella/Ribeseya and part of the coast of Llanes, and in the distance, to the west, the everlasting Sierra del Sueve.

Route

Alto de Igena - Mofrechu Peak 8,4

This route starts at the top of Igena. Once past the village of Igena, we follow the road, and at the first crossroads to the left is the start of the route. It is not signposted, although there is a small sign on a tree indicating the Mofrechu, but it is not easy to see. You can't get lost on the route, you just have to follow a track.

500 metres after starting to walk, we leave the village of Igena below us to the left and the village of Riensena to the right. From this panoramic view we can see the whole of the Cantabrian mountain range in the background and the Ubiñas to the right.

A kilometre and a half further up, we find ourselves in the Hueses sheepfold, kilometre 2 of the route, where we are already at the foot of the Mofrechu. Approximately 1 kilometre further on, we come across some of the huts in the area, as well as a plaque commemorating a mountain ranger who died in an accident at work.

At the end of the route, kilometre 4, we find ourselves at the Mofrechu peak, whose beautiful summit gives us lovely views towards the sea, Ribadesella/Ribeseya below, and towards the mountains, the Picos de Europa in the background.

Map

Mofrechu Peak Route

GPS: 43.400362478569, -5.0258264830336

Detail

This route starts at the top of Igena. Once past the village of Igena, we follow the road, and at the first crossroads to the left is the start of the route. It is not signposted, although there is a small sign on a tree indicating the Mofrechu, but it is not easy to see. You can't get lost on the route, you just have to follow a track.

500 metres after starting to walk, we leave the village of Igena below us to the left, and to the right is the village of Riensena. From this panoramic view we can see the whole of the Cantabrian mountain range in the background and the Ubiñas to the right.

A kilometre and a half further up, we find ourselves in the Hueses sheepfold, kilometre 2 of the route, where we are already at the foot of the Mofrechu. Approximately 1 kilometre further on, we come across some local huts and a plaque commemorating a mountain ranger who died in an accident at work.

At the end of the route, kilometre 4, we find ourselves at the Mofrechu peak, whose beautiful summit gives us lovely views towards the sea, Ribadesella/Ribeseya below, and towards the mountains, the Picos de Europa in the background.