Picos de Europa National Park

Mountain huts in Picos de Europa National Park

Mountain Huts and Shelters

This collection spans the three massifs of the Picos de Europa: the Cornión, the Urrielles, and the Ándara. It includes fully-serviced alpine refuges like Cabaña Verónica—constructed from a repurposed aircraft carrier dome—and remote stone 'invernales' used historically by shepherds. These sites provide essential logistics for high-altitude trekking routes like the Anillo de Picos, offering varying levels of service from staffed kitchens and bunks to basic emergency protection in remote karst terrain.

Mountain Huts and Shelters — Map

Juan lacruz / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Refugio Cabaña Verónica

Located at 2,325 meters, this unique hut was built in 1961 using a repurposed battery dome from the USS Santee aircraft carrier. It is the highest permanently attended refuge in the Picos de Europa.

B

Refugio Collado Jermoso

Inaugurated in 1930, this high-altitude hut overlooks the Valdeón Valley. It serves as a key stop on the Anillo de Picos trekking route and offers views of the Central Massif's western face.

C

Refugio Jou de los Cabrones

The most remote refuge in the mountain range, situated at 2,030 meters. It provides access to the Dobresengos channel and the climbing routes of the Central Massif.

D

Refugio Vegarredonda J.M. Remis

A primary base for exploring the Western Massif, located at 1,460 meters near the Mirador de Ordiales. The facility includes a modern building and a traditional stone hut.

E

Refugio Vega de Ario

Situated at 1,630 meters in the Western Massif, this hut offers panoramic views across the Cares Gorge to the Central Massif. It is a common destination for hikers from the Lakes of Covadonga.

F

Refugio de la Terenosa

A small, staffed hut located at 1,315 meters on the main approach path from Pandébano to Picu Urriellu. It offers basic lodging and dining services.

G

Refugio de Urriellu

Located at the base of the iconic Naranjo de Bulnes at 1,960 meters. This large, staffed facility is the primary hub for climbers and high-mountain trekkers in the Central Massif.

H

Refugio Casetón de Ándara

A former mining building converted into a mountain refuge, located in the Eastern Massif. It serves as a base for exploring the historic Macizo de Ándara mining trails.

I

Refugio de Vegabaño

Situated in a meadow surrounded by beech forests at 1,320 meters. This hut provides access to the southern part of the Western Massif and peaks like Peña Santa de Castilla.

J

Refugio del Frade

A basic, unstaffed stone shelter located in the Western Massif. It offers emergency protection for hikers crossing the high passes between Valdeón and Sajambre.

K

Invernales de Mesones

A group of traditional stone cabins formerly used by shepherds for winter livestock, located along the steep ascent from Caín to the high plateaus of the Western Massif.

L

Cabaña

Basic stone pastoral shelter.

M

Invernal

Traditional stone shelter used for livestock and emergency mountain cover.

N

Refugio Viejo

The original stone shelter located near the newer Vegarredonda facility in the Western Massif.

O

Invernal

Basic stone pastoral structure.

P

Invernal

Basic stone pastoral structure.

Q

Invernal

Basic stone pastoral structure.

R

Refugio de Vega Huerta

An unstaffed stone shelter located on the southern side of Peña Santa de Castilla. It provides essential cover for climbers and trekkers in a remote karst area.

S

Hoyobladas

Stone hut in the high mountain pastures.

T

Refugio de Pantivalles

Basic stone shelter located in the southern sector of the Picos de Europa.

U

Casetón de Liordes

A small stone hut located in the high-altitude Liordes meadow, a tectonic depression in the Central Massif.

V

Invernal

Traditional stone shelter.

W

Cabaña

Basic pastoral hut.

X

Invernal

Basic stone pastoral structure.

Y

Cabaña

Basic pastoral hut.

Z

Refugio Collado de Llesba

A small shelter located at a mountain pass offering panoramic views of the Picos de Europa and the San Glorio area.

Cabaña Omedian

Basic stone shelter.

Other Lists

Picos de Europa National Park Essentials Picos de Europa Peaks & Passes Notable Catholic Churches