Tiatordos peak from Pendones

The Tiatordos route from Pendones is one of the great classics of the Redes Natural Park. It is a demanding but deeply rewarding ascent, which combines the richness of the Asturian landscape with the mountaineering attraction of reaching one of the most charismatic peaks in the Cantabrian Mountains. Known as "the perfect mountain", the Tiatordos (1951 m) stands out for its elegant profile, its vertical eastern wall of more than 500 metres and the spectacular views from its summit.

The route starts in the village of Pendones, in the council of Caso. From the first ramps, the path ascends the slope of Peña la Quemada and soon enters a beech forest where the slope intensifies until it reaches Collado El Xuacu, with a well-preserved hut that marks the beginning of the landscape of sheepfolds and high pastures.

A porthole leads to a concreted section that soon offers a detour to a spring with exceptional views, ideal for a short stop. From here, the path continues between limestone walls towards Majada de Piedrafita, where there is a fresh water fountain to recharge your batteries before tackling the next stretch.

From Piedrafita onwards, the surroundings become more open and mineral. You reach Majada de Tiatordos, at about 1540 metres, where there are still traditional shepherd's huts. In the background, the neighbouring peaks can be seen: Maciédome, Campigüeños, La Carasca or La Senda, which frame this high mountain corner. This is where the most demanding section begins: the final ascent along a 400 metre slope that zigzags up to the crest.

Once at the top, the path becomes smoother and allows you to walk the last few metres to the summit. From there, the views are simply unbeatable: the Picos de Europa to the east, the Cantabrian Mountains to the west, Redes to the south, and the Cantabrian Sea to the north on clear days. Below our feet, the imposing Copa del Tiatordos opens up, a vertical wall of more than 500 metres that plummets over the council of Ponga.

The return route is initially along the same path as the ascent, but after descending the slope and reaching the Tiatordos sheepfold again, we take a circular route that links up with the Majada de Plágan, where the remains of old huts and a good water source can still be seen. This section is ideal for a brief rest before tackling the last stretch of the route. From here, the descent begins through the spectacular Palombar Gorge, a narrow gorge squeezed between rock walls and beech forests.

The path continues descending gently until it joins a track that takes us back to Pendones, thus completing a demanding, diverse and spectacular circular route. A day in the mountains that leaves its mark both for the beauty of the route and for the thrill of crowning one of the most iconic peaks in Asturias.