Why Pico Anguileiro Stands Out
At 1,035 metres, Pico Anguileiro rises above the rolling hills of western Asturias between the Navia and Eo river valleys. Its open summit offers clear sightlines to the Cantabrian Sea on clear days and to the higher ridges of the Sierra de Ancares inland. The mountain remains far less crowded than the Picos de Europa, giving walkers a quieter experience of Asturias’ green, rainy landscape.
Routes and What to Expect on the Trail
The most common ascent starts from the hamlet of Busmayor, where a forestry track leads to a saddle before the final rocky scramble. The round trip is roughly 9 km with 650 m of elevation gain and takes four to five hours for most walkers. The path crosses meadows dotted with gorse and heather before entering oak and birch woodland. Near the top the terrain turns to quartzite slabs that can be slippery when wet; a head for heights helps on the short exposed section just below the summit cairn.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring through early autumn provides the most reliable conditions. May and June bring wildflowers and long daylight; September and October offer fewer insects and golden autumn colour. Winter visits are possible but require ice-axe and crampon skills after snow, and the access road often closes.
Getting There and Getting Around
From Oviedo, take the A-63 motorway west to Luarca then the N-634 and local roads toward Tapia de Casariego. The final approach to Busmayor is narrow and winding; a car with decent ground clearance is useful. No regular bus service reaches the trailhead, so most visitors drive or arrange a taxi from the nearest town. Once on the mountain, the route is waymarked with yellow paint but carries no signposts, so a GPS track or 1:25 000 map is recommended.
Nearby Attractions Worth Combining
After descending, many hikers continue to the coastal village of Tapia de Casariego for fresh seafood and a walk along the cliffs of Playa de los Campos. Inland, the medieval bridge and chestnut woods at Grandas de Salime make an easy half-day detour. For a longer stay, the Eo river estuary offers birdwatching and kayaking only 30 minutes from the trailhead.
