Peña Vieja, Mountain summit in Picos de Europa, Cantabria, Spain
Peña Vieja is a mountain summit in the Central Massif of Picos de Europa, rising to 2,617 meters (8,585 feet). It ranks as the second-highest peak in the Cantabrian range and dominates the landscape of this rugged alpine region.
The first documented ascent took place on July 9, 1890, when Aymar de Saint-Saud, Cosme Soberón, and Jerónimo Prieto reached the summit. This early exploration marked the beginning of modern mountaineering activity in this section of the Picos de Europa.
The mountain served as a landmark for shepherds who guided their flocks through the Picos de Europa's limestone terrain for generations. Such natural reference points shaped the daily movement and practices of mountain communities over centuries.
Access is via the Fuente Dé cable car station, from which marked trails lead upward through the mountain terrain. Good physical fitness and experience with alpine hiking are needed to reach the summit safely.
During winter, skilled mountaineers can ski down from the summit through the Valle de las Moñetas to the Vegas de Sotres region below. This uncommon descent route combines high altitude with technical mountain terrain.
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