Pineda de la Sierra

Overview

This is probably the simplest route (therefore the "normal" route) to the summit of San Millán. It has no real difficulties, apart from those related to bad weather, and means nothing but a long (about 8 km long and over 900 meters to be climbed from the trailhead to the summit) uphill hike. It follows a hilly chain known as Umbría (or Loma) de los Helechales, which extends westwards from the main summit towards the village of Pineda de la Sierra

Getting There

The trailhead of Pineda de la Sierra is easily reached from the city of Burgos, placed scarcely 54 km to the west. You must leave Burgos by road N-120 (towards Logroño), leaving it southwards when you reach the village of Ibeas de Juarros. Turn right and take road BU-820 towards the village of Arlanzón, going on until the barrage of Uzquiza. Just after bypassing the barrage, you will find a crossroads. You must turn right, the road is still the same BU-820 but its pavement becomes much poorer. It will lead you around the barrage and to Pineda de la Sierra in an additional 14 km.

Route Description

Leave your car at the village of Pineda de la Sierra and start walking south, along the main road. Just before the southern end of the village, there is a road bridge over the Arlanzón River. Cross it and turn left (east) afterwards, between the last houses of the village. On their other side there is a grassy area, where your path towards the summit begins. You must turn right and face the grassy slope, that’s where the path begins. It’s a wide track for most of the way, sometimes paved by stones and covered by grass in other areas. It climbs the first hill placed over the village and after that follows grossly the higher line in the terrain, bypassing some bigger hills (1482 to 1676 meters high). Once you reach an altitude of (approx.) 1700 meters, this track turns left along the western slopes of San Millán and starts going north towards the nearby summit of Trigaza Sur. That will be the spot to leave the track and face a final uphill walk towards the fore-summit of Tres Mojones (1953 m), in the same direction the track had up to this moment. It is a rather clean terrain, with low bushes and scarce pine trees. When you reach Tres Mojones (the name is due to three big cairns placed up there), simply turn left and climb the wide final ridge to grab the summit. A geodesical vertex and a metallic device reminding of a small cupboard mark it.

Essential Gear

Just use your head, be sensible. In summer time this is nothing but a simple (though long!) hike and it will suffice with good boots, warm clothing for an emergency, food and water. If the weather is doubtful, though, every precaution could be necessary. San Millán is the highest peak around, and will therefore be liable to receive every little bit of wind, rain or snow likely to be around. And (of course!) in winter time climbs to San Millán must only be entertained with full winter gear (clothing, ice-axe, crampons and so on)

External Links

Images

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