Pico Cumbre o Peña Siña: Summit Hikes in Asturias’s Green Mountains

Pico Cumbre o Peña Siña rises quietly above the rolling hills of eastern Asturias, offering hikers a compact yet satisfying ascent that rewards with 360-degree panoramas of the Cantabrian Mountains and distant glimpses of the sea.

Why This Peak Stands Out

Unlike the crowded trails of the Picos de Europa, Peña Siña remains relatively quiet, its slopes covered in beech woods that give way to open limestone karst and spring wildflowers. The summit itself is a broad rocky platform where you can sit and watch griffon vultures wheel below while tracing the line of the Río Sella valley toward the coast.

Routes and What to Expect

The most direct path begins from the hamlet of Mestas del Mareo and follows an old cart track that climbs steadily through pastures before steepening on the final rocky section. Allow three to four hours round-trip for the moderate outing; the terrain is mostly firm but includes short scrambles best tackled with good boots. A longer loop descends via the Collado de la Cruz, passing through mixed woodland where red deer are sometimes spotted at dawn.

Getting There

Drivers reach the trailhead via the AS-342 road from Infiesto, turning onto a narrow local lane that ends at a small parking area beside the village church. Those using public transport can take the Oviedo–Cangas de Onís bus and alight at Mestas, then walk the final two kilometres uphill. The mountain lies within easy reach of the coastal motorway, making it a convenient half-day escape from Gijón or Oviedo.

Best Time to Visit

Late spring and early autumn deliver the clearest skies and firmest ground; summer brings lush greenery but also occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Winter snow is light and usually melts quickly on south-facing slopes, yet ice on shaded sections requires micro-spikes.

Nearby Attractions

After the hike, continue to the cider houses of Villaviciosa for fresh seafood and local sidra, or drive twenty minutes north to the beaches at Rodiles where the river meets the Bay of Biscay. The prehistoric cave art at Tito Bustillo near Ribadesella provides a cultural contrast to the mountain scenery.