Pico Penalara

  • Pico Penalara
  • 2429 m
  • Prominence 1109 m
  • Castilla y Leon, Spain
  • Location: North 40.85001, West 003.95600 (GPS)
  • Difficulty: YDS 1
  • Climbed June 18. 2024.

Information:


How to get there:
This is a popular peak, most likely climbed by more than a thousand every year. There is a pretty big parking area right next to the highway, location N40.82325, W003.96040, elevation near 1829 meter.
Route::
The trail starts directly across the road near the upper end of the parking area. This is really a road the first part, then a big, wide trail. There is a clear sign at the only fork (go left). At this location, you will also see the mountain. The trail continues i long, gentle switchbacks to a local summit. From here you see what remains. Descend to a shallow saddle, then ascend the final, gentle slope. Overall, a completely trivial hike. Most likely, there will be quite a few hikers on this trail, at least during summer.
Comments:
A pretty long drive round trip from Salamanca, but almost no traffic on the highway so the driving was quite easy. I arrived at the parking area around 1130. Needed to change into hiking gear, but left by 1145. The trail (small road) was easy, I was happy with my descision to use a pair of running shoes. Arrival on top by 1305, it was quite windy. I still took a 10 minute break behind some rocks that gave shelter.
The return hike took 1:05. The drive was smooth and I got back to our hotel by 1545.

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