I’ve wanted to do some of the peaks of the Sierra de Tendeñera and yesterday finally got up there. It’s a magnificent 12km long ridge with imposing cliffs on both the north and the south.

The incredible layers of rock of the Sierra de Tendeñera

We approached from Ibon de Asnos up the north slopes. It was pretty cold up higher and in the shade a sheen of ice still covered the rocks making things a bit slippy. The route up was much easier than I expected and the layers of folded rock were really impressive up close.

Looking up to the col where we gained the ridge

We headed to two peaks on the ridge – Peña Roya (2578m) and Peña Blanca (2556m). The walk along the ridge was superb with fantastic views in every direction. Every village in the Valle de Tena was visible and the valley looked like a map laid out in front of us.

Summit views with Vignemale to the left

Rafa descending the ridge

Raul’s a local hunter and knew a great ‘path’ down the south side – it was a brutal descent in places but lead us through limestone shelves, meadows, gorse and then down through woods of beech, rowan, pine, hazel and aspen to the church of Santa Elena.

Raul drinking from the healing spring at Santa Elena

Thanks to Raul and Rafa for a great day out.

Imprint of a fossilised shell