Panchón Peak

The route begins at Puerto del Palo, a mountain pass of great historical importance, as it was one of the main communication routes between the interior of Asturias and the coast. From here, the path follows a wide track into the Sierra de los Lagos, characterised by its undulating terrain and the presence of wind turbines that dominate the landscape. This first stretch is easy to walk along, allowing you to enjoy the open views of the valleys on both sides of the mountain range.
On reaching Collado Fresnedo, the midway point of the ascent, the route turns to the left to take a narrower path that enters an area of low vegetation. This section marks the beginning of the ascent to Alto Panchón, from where the final part of the ascent to Pico Panchón begins. As you gain height, the path becomes more stony and you can get lost at some points due to the scarce signposting, although the stone milestones help you to keep your bearings.
The arrival at the summit of Pico Panchón is the highlight of the route, with a panoramic view of the Valledor mountain range, the Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias Nature Reserve and, on clear days, the Asturian coast on the horizon. This is a good place to take a break and enjoy the tranquillity of the surroundings before starting the descent.
The return journey starts off off-road, following a direct descent until you reach a more defined path, which makes it easier to connect with the track used on the first part of the route. This descent allows us to see the landscape from a different perspective, observing the mountain formations that surround the pass. Finally, the path leads back to the Puerto del Palo pass, closing the route at the starting point.
The Pico Panchón Route, although simple in technical terms, offers a varied route that combines different types of terrain and allows you to reach the highest point in Allande, making it an excellent option for those looking for an accessible ascent with great panoramic views.