N2. LINEAR ROUTE CAMPING EL CARES TO PREGÓ

The linear route to Pregó follows a historic and easy track through forests, with no major technical difficulties. The Vega de Pregó is a peaceful area of meadows and streams surrounded by mountains, easily accessible from the campsite. Upon arrival, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Central and Western massifs. This route is suitable for all types of people, making it ideal for families, children, and pets.

General rating: EASY

The Vega de Pregó is a peaceful and tranquil area of meadows and streams nestled among mountains, which is very easily accessible from our campsite. Following a beautiful and historic track through the forest, very easy to follow and complete, given its gentle elevation and gradual progression, will advance without difficulty to a considerable height in the valley, reaching Pregó, a calm destination that offers panoramic views of the Central and Western massifs. You may also have the chance to observe, among other animals, some of the large herbivores that often graze in these high forest areas.

Because of its easy route and minimal technical challenges, we consider this a recommended option for all types of people, suitable for families, children, or pets.

It is also a route we suggest for those who want to complete it running or on one of our electric bikes.

Details of the hike

Description of the route

The linear route from Camping el Cares to Vega de Pregó starts just above the waterfall located at the end of our campsite. Once you reach the stone bench that separates you from the river, you will find a small path to its right that circles the waterfall, bringing you to its upper part. At that point, almost where the water begins to fall, you will cross the river to connect with a steep path that leads up to the meadows surrounding the campsite, from where you will begin this relaxing route.

This path, narrow in its first few meters, will allow you to ascend through the meadows until you reach the main road, which you will avoid by taking small trails that appear on your right, close to a bend in the road. Once you have completed this short woodland section and left the meadow area behind, you will connect with the well-known track that leads directly from the campsite to Vega de Pregó. This track is easy to recognize at this point, as it becomes much wider, very intuitive, and easy to follow.

Once you have completed this connection that links our campsite with the iconic track to Pregó, all that remains is to enjoy the gradual ascent. Although it presents no particular challenges, it does offer fantastic views of this side of the Picos de Europa and a great diversity of flora and fauna, which will change and become more prominent as you gain elevation in the valley.

This simple route gives everyone the chance to immerse themselves in a paradisiacal setting of lush beech forests, streams, and wetlands teeming with wildlife, where you can simply enjoy the journey while the relaxing sound of the Arenal River and the orchestra of birds inhabiting its surroundings accompany you.

You will follow this easy and winding path without difficulty until you reach a fork near kilometre 2.7 of the route. This split allows you to access the Pandetrave pass if you take the left option, or reach the Vega de Pregó if you continue to the right.

In this case, take the narrow path to the right, close to the stone wall that borders the route, which will allow you to ascend alongside the stream to a small waterfall. Just after this cascade, your destination will open up before you: a large meadow among the mountains known as the Vega de Pregó, where you will find a spring that can be marked as the endpoint of this magnificent route.

The Vega de Pregó is an ideal place to admire the different mountains between the pass and the campsite, to take a close look at the curious Peña de la Silla and Pico Miradoiro, among other peaks, and to relax in the peace that comes from having reached a considerable altitude in the valley with such ease. Here, you will share the area with the local wildlife of these high forests, and with luck, you may spot Iberian deer, wildcats, or roe deer, which roam the same trails you will use to return to the campsite.

Any specific recommendations for this route?

The track to Vega de Pregó does not present any particular difficulties, but along the way, you will find a simple river crossing at the beginning of the route and a passage over a small stream in the last few meters of the trail before reaching the meadow area. For this reason, we recommend wearing sports or hiking shoes with a waterproof component to help prevent slipping. In addition, although it is not essential in this case, we would suggest bringing a water container, as the first fountain is not found until you reach Pregó at the end of the route.

Discover other hikes in the Valdeón valley, in the heart of the Picos de Europa.