We begin the route from the outer parking area of the village of Bárcena Mayor. The origins of this spectacular village date back to the Middle Ages; today we would describe it as a rustic and picturesque enclave in the heart of the Saja Reserve. In recent years, it has also become a gastronomic tourism hotspot, with La Solana Restaurant repeatedly winning the award for Best Cocido Montañés. So, as you can imagine, it’s best to arrive early: it’s a very popular destination and is part of the network of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain.
The ascent starts right at the entrance of the village, although we leave the visit for the return, when the day is clearer. The climb follows a track and a footpath, somewhat eroded in places because water uses it as a natural drainage channel, forcing us to walk outside the path at certain points. Little by little, we gain altitude along the Sierra de Bárcena Mayor and enjoy views over the Argoza River valley.
We eventually reach the Colladas and Colludas ridge, which we follow along the Pindia trail, walking its entire crest until we arrive at Collado Domesmes. From there, we tackle the steep climb to Alto de la Guarda, rising to 1,082 meters above sea level.
We descend through Monte Quemado to the Praos Perdidos meadows, where we connect with the GR 71 – Saja Reserve Trail. Although it is currently declassified, the waymarking is excellent, as this section is used by the 10,000 del Soplao ultramarathon in both its 110 km and 75 km distances.
Video
Map
Max elevation: 1078 m
Total climbing: 824 m
Total time: 04:51:37
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