N7. CIRCULAR ROUTE MAJADA DE LAS VACAS SHORT

Circular route starting at Camping El Cares, from where you will follow a trail that takes you through a variety of landscapes. You will cross rivers, follow old paths, and explore less-travelled trails. After overcoming some elevation changes, you will reach the Majada de las Vacas and finally connect with the PN-15a, which will lead you to Santa Marina de Valdeón. This charming village is sure to captivate you.

Hike details

Distance: 7.77 km

Elevation gain: 506 m

Elevation loss: 506 m

Maximum altitude: 1,627 m

Minimum altitude: 1,146 m

Route type: Circular

Route description

The itinerary starts at Camping El Cares, an ideal starting point for those looking to explore the landscapes of the Picos de Europa. Right from the beginning, the trail leads you to cross the river just after the waterfall inside the campsite, marking the start of the ascent towards the Pandetrabe Pass and the Vega de Pregó. This first section, surrounded by vegetation and the sound of running water, is enjoyable and immerses you in the area’s natural environment.

As you continue, the trail gradually ascends until it connects with an old, wider path historically used to communicate with Santa Marina de Valdeón. This section is easily recognisable by its width, making the walk easier and allowing you to enjoy the scenery without difficulty. Following this path, turn right and continue until you reach the road, where extra caution is advised when walking along the roadside.

Once on the road, the route continues ascending along the right side. In the middle of a curve, you will find a rural path that climbs to the right; this stretch takes you into a quieter, less-travelled area. Shortly after, you will find a turn to the left, which you should follow until you cross the road again, heading towards the Majada de las Vacas. This is a traditional grazing area, surrounded by meadows and open views, making it an ideal spot for a short break and to enjoy the surroundings.

From the Majada de las Vacas, look for the trail located behind the watering trough (spring). This path leads north toward a more open clearing, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the nearby mountains. At this point, two trails appear heading northwest; take the one on the left, which connects with the PN-15a route and leads directly to Santa Marina de Valdeón. This section to the village runs through forests and meadows, allowing you to enjoy the diversity of the landscape and, occasionally, local wildlife.

Once in Santa Marina de Valdeón, it is worth spending a few minutes exploring its streets and appreciating its traditional architecture. For the return, the route suggests taking a marked shortcut that passes by the Fuente del Rejo, a perfect spot to refresh yourself and rest before tackling the final part of the hike. From the spring, a well-marked path will take you back to Camping El Cares, thus completing a varied and enjoyable route, ideal for those looking to combine nature, history, and tranquility in a single day of hiking.

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Possible Variant: “Long Circular Majada de las Vacas”

A possible variant for this itinerary is to add a couple of kilometres to the route by following the road to the Pandetrave Pass and then descending back to the campsite. Although this makes the route a bit longer, the descent is more gradual, so we recommend it if you prefer a route with less impact on the way down.