Snaking sinuously south from just west of Santander there’s a savage slit that acts as the border between Cantabria and Asturias and the main thoroughfare into the heart of the Picos de Europa. Deep, steep-sided and improbably festooned with a ton of amazing looking faces (not all of them developed) the gorge of the Desfiladero de La Hermida combines perfectly with the crags around Arenas de Cabrales in eastern Asturias to make a brilliant, easy-access, summer and autumn sport climbing destination.
There are over 50 crags, including some only very recently opened, all in the shadow of Picu Urriellu (Naranjo de Bulnes), that combine to give a variety of options: long, short, steep, slabby, walls, tufas and more, that should delight almost any grade of climber. Add in easy access, the proximity to brilliant beaches and plenty of accommodation and it’s easy to see why the region’s becoming more and more popular.
Go to the full destination guide here
Check out James and Caro climbing in the La Hermida gorge and Poo de Cabrales….
Roca Verde 3A contains all the crags around Arenas and 16 of the major crags of the La Hermida valley, you can Buy It Here
La Hermida 2 contains 43 crags in the La Hermida valley – you can Buy it Here.
You can also check out our destination guide to the Valles del Trubia – and the large crags of Teverga and Quirós – at our destination guide here Valles de Trubia – destination guide.
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