Walk Summary
Dd not expect to see any snow in Spain this low in July, around 1400m |
After nudging my progressive high point to 1411m on Mortillano two days ago, blew it away this time on Castro Valnera 1718m, P866.
Walked only 7.21km with 649m of ascent so have ascended more for smaller hills - it's all relative. The bonus was being able to drive 3km from the BU-572 to El Bernacho saving 6km of walking overall.
Even found snow in Spain in JULY!
This is the only summit I managed from the base at Camping La Isla though with hindsight I could have saved myself a long drive back to Camping Playa Arenillas, Islares after Mortillano had I planned out my campsites better, but with the downside being having to set up a new camp after what was a fairly tough day. So you pays your money and make your choice.
From Camping La Isla I really wanted a route up Castro Valnera from the south rather than the more popular northern access and the CA-643. The best I could manage was from the west off the BU-572 but in addition to the encouraging sign to the summit; the track from the info board to El Bernacho, with a little care at a couple of rutted areas, was firm enough to take a standard road vehicle and more importantly my camper van, close to where the footpath starts through woodland all the way to the collado and 1444m spot height, saving a 3km walk in and 3km walk out.
As the path turns right and NW cairns start to confirm on right path to summit |
Cloud clearing at just the right moment to reveal 1685m col to right of summit |
I had a good chat with a couple of guys out for the day from Bilbao. Unfortunately cloud had gathered below the summit to the north obscuring what looked like rugged terrain. Exploring beyond the summit for an alternative descent route along the planned province boundary revealed only more cloud. So after summit pictures I decided to return back down the ascent route along a known path and back to the van before 12:30pm and with the cloud burning back the prospect of an afternoon in the sun back at Camping La Isla.
Walk Statistics
Walk Date - 01 July 2018
Walkers - Steve Smith
Walkers - Steve Smith
Accommodation - Camping La Isla, Villalázara
Start Point - End of track at El Bernacho approx 3km from BU-572 (N43°08'54.104" W3°39'28.112")
Start Time - 09:15
Finish Point - End of track at El Bernacho approx 3km from BU-572 (N43°08'54.104" W3°39'28.112")
Finish Time- 12:21
Total Duration - 3hrs 06mins
Overall Average pace - 1.44mph
Total Distance Walked - 4.46 miles
Total Height Ascended - 646.90metres
Overall Average pace - 1.44mph
Total Distance Walked - 4.46 miles
Total Height Ascended - 646.90metres
Peaks visited
Spain/Portugal 600m Prominence Peaks (168S - 185S&P - 2165E)
Castro Valnera (7S - 8S&P - 36E)
Spain/Portugal 300m - 599m Prominence Peaks (1000+)
NONE
Spain/Portugal 150m - 299m Prominence Peaks (3000+)
NONE
Spain Autonomous Community High Points (19)
NONE
Spain Province High Points (52)
NONE
S: Spain
P: Portugal
E:Europe
P: Portugal
E:Europe
Other walks on this trip
2018
June
26th Ganekorgorta
28th Eretza
29th Mortillano
July
01st Castro Valnera
03rd El Cueto
Route