The Mountains of Central Spain - Walks Scrambles GR10 - Europe

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18. La Plataforma - Puerto de Candeleda - Los Campanarios - Risco Peluca - Molederas - La Mira (2343m) - Los Campanarios - Umbrazo Spur - La Plataforma

Following a fine section of the main crest, this is one of the best day walks in the range. It is, however, high and exposed and the two traverses across northern slopes plus the final climb to La Mira can still be snow-covered into June. Approached from the pretty meadows of the upper Prao Puerto valley, the ridge itself is full of variety and has constantly striking views both of distant peaks and plains as well as into deep ravines to the south. La Mira is a striking headland poised above the Pelayo valley, although only the upper part of the Galayos towers can be seen from the summit which carries the circular stone base of an old observatory. The return route is varied slightly by leaving the ridge after Los Campanarios for a more direct line to La Plataforma. Using this variation would obviously save time on the way out, but it means exchanging some spectacular ridge walking for a long tramp up broom slopes.

As for Route 11, follow the cobbled path from the head of the Plataforma car park (1770m), but leave it to stay with the river bank at a signpost for the Puerto de Candeleda. First dipping across a small tributary stream then climbing through a rocky zone, the path continues into the long, gently rising, grassy upper valley of the Prao Puerto. Keep to the right of the stream which is boggy in parts and has several lines of cairns. In the shallow, bowl-shaped head of the valley, make directly up the back slope to a large marker cairn which is at the Puerto de Candeleda (2018m, 1hr 10mins).

The ridge to the east starts as a broom-covered switchback but there is a cairned path which much of the time follows the steep drop above ravines running down to the Garganta Lóbrega. From the 2022m col (35mins), wider broom slopes leading up the Prado de Barbellido to the beginning of Los Campanarios have several lines of cairns but those nearest the crest are the least vegetated. From the start of Los Campanarios, there is more rock and less broom with a very clear path which keeps to the crest except for two well-constructed traverses round the north side of the towers of Risco Peluca and Molederas. Arriving at the 2209m col (1hr 40mins) at the foot of the triangular north slope of La Mira, cairns go off in various directions. Take the ones heading straight up the right-hand side of the slope which pass over a minor top just before reaching the stone observatory base and survey point on the summit (2343m, 25mins).

Return along the ridge as far as the westernmost high point of Los Campanarios (2166m, 1hr 30mins). Beyond it, the main ridge turns abruptly to the left down the Prado de Barbellido. Instead, move slightly right, away from the crest, onto a path with occasional cairns and red and white paint marks. These lead down the long, wide Umbrazo spur which is covered in dense but short broom. Reaching a saddle just below 2000m, the cairns lead left into a shallow valley. When they finish at the lower edge of the broom, continue down grass slopes, keeping well to the right of the stream to avoid the worst of the bogs. When the Prao Puerto stream is reached (40mins), cross where you can to rejoin the cairns coming up from the Plataforma (30mins).