Stage of the Camino
Stage Portilla de la Reina to Riaño
From Portilla de la Reina To Riaño
Plan your CaminoOrigin
Destination
Distance
19.90 km
Duration
4.98 h
Difficulty
Moderate
Descent
120 m
Stage of the Camino
Stage Description
This stage is a spectacular ride through the Riaño Mountain, in the province of León. The profile is undulating, with an initial ascent to Pandetrave Pass. The route runs through a high mountain landscape, with impressive views of the Picos de Europa and surrounding valleys. It's a day of great beauty and solitude, ideal for nature lovers. The destination is Riaño, a newly built town on the shores of the reservoir, famous for its spectacular landscapes that recall Norwegian fjords.
The stage connecting Portilla de la Reina with Riaño is a journey through some of the most spectacular landscapes of Eastern León Mountains. The route is breathtakingly beautiful, although with an demanding topography.
The day begins with an ascent to the Puerto de Pandetrave, a gentle slope that offers stunning views of the Valdeón Valley and the Picos de Europa peaks. Once at the summit, the path descends into the Yuso River valley.
The second part of the stage follows the course of this river in more favorable terrain. The landscape is dominated by high mountain pastures, beech forests, and rock formations.
Arrival in Riaño is the most impactful moment of the day. This town has a tragic history, as the old Riaño was flooded by the waters of the dam in the 1980s. A new town was rebuilt on a nearby hill. The most spectacular thing about this landscape is the reflection of the Cantabrian Mountains in its waters, which have been dubbed the "Leonesian Fjords". Walking across its bridges and viewpoints is an unforgettable experience. Riaño is today an important tourist center and a perfect final stage.
The day begins with an ascent to the Puerto de Pandetrave, a gentle slope that offers stunning views of the Valdeón Valley and the Picos de Europa peaks. Once at the summit, the path descends into the Yuso River valley.
The second part of the stage follows the course of this river in more favorable terrain. The landscape is dominated by high mountain pastures, beech forests, and rock formations.
Arrival in Riaño is the most impactful moment of the day. This town has a tragic history, as the old Riaño was flooded by the waters of the dam in the 1980s. A new town was rebuilt on a nearby hill. The most spectacular thing about this landscape is the reflection of the Cantabrian Mountains in its waters, which have been dubbed the "Leonesian Fjords". Walking across its bridges and viewpoints is an unforgettable experience. Riaño is today an important tourist center and a perfect final stage.
Last updated: 12/08/2025
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