Pico del Lobo

Overview

Called Portillo del Lobo or Portiel de Lobos as well, Pico del Lobo is the most elevated mountain in Sierra de Ayllón. Its N face is the most important, an ancient little glacier was once between Pico del Lobo and La Buitrera de los Lobos. At the foot of the mountain (N) there is a ski resort named La Pinilla (1.500 m), but its slopes don't reach Pico del Lobo's summit. However, a ruined cable car station still remains near the summit. So be careful, do not shelter in the drilled building. Today, the responsible for that building should clean the area, also it remains some cables and debris.

Getting There

BUS

From Madrid
Out of the ski season there is a bus company wich conduce you to Riaza (Segovia), this town is a bit separated from Pico del Lobo, so hitch-hiking is the best method to go to La Pinilla ski resort or Puerto de la Quesera.
In the ski season there are buses to La Pinilla ski resort, I'll try to give you the timetables and prices.

From Segovia
There is a bus company wich conduces you to Riaza, I'll try to give you timetables and prices. Then hitch-hike to Puerto de la Quesera or La Pinilla ski resort.

PRIVATE VEHICLE

From Madrid
There are 2 options:
1. A-1 up to Km 105, then N-110 passing Cerezo de Arriba (Segovia) to Riaza, finally SG-114 to Km 4 and SG-112 to Puerto de la Quesera.
2. A-1 up to Km 105, then N-110 passing Cerezo de Arriba (Segovia) 1 Km, finallly SG-114 to La Pinilla ski resort.
In summer you could eat your sandwiches in Buitrago de Lozoya (Madrid), there is a nice garden (in the shadow) in front of Iglesia de Santa María. You also could visit that nice town. Then you could start the excursion when the temperatures low, don't forget lights or headlamps.

From Segovia
N-110 to Santo Tomé del Puerto (Segovia), then N-110 passing Cerezo de Arriba (Segovia) to Riaza, finally SG-114 to Km 4 and SG-112 to Puerto de la Quesera.

From NE Spain
1. N-110 to Riaza, finally SG-114 to Km 4 and SG-112 to Puerto de la Quesera.
2. N-110 passing Riaza 8 km, finally SG-114 to La Pinilla ski resort.

From N Spain
1. A-1 passing Castillejo de Mesleón (Segovia) 6 Km, then N-110 to Riaza, finally SG-114 to Km 4 and SG-112 to Puerto de la Quesera.
2. A-1 passing Castillejo de Mesleón (Segovia) 6 Km, then N-110 passing Cerezo de Arriba (Segovia) 1 Km, finallly SG-114 to La Pinilla ski resort.

Red Tape

No permits or fees are required. No seasonal closures but in winter sometimes the road to Puerto de la Quesera is non-viable due to the snow. They don't clean it because it doesn't join important populations.

When To Climb

All season but be careful with the fog and the blizzard on some winter days (January to March mainly). In July and August the temperatures can be too much high for hiking or climbing so take a lot of water with you and try to avoid the central hours of the day.

AEMET weather forecast for Guadarrama and Somosierra. The last is near Pico del Lobo.

Camping

Camping is not allowed in the area but, you can vivy if you want because there is no huts nearby. La Pinilla ski resort has many apartments and bedsitters. I'll try to find more lodgings in the area but Segovia is only 50 min far and Madrid 1 h 30 min.

Mountain Conditions

Get informed of winter road conditions in pages 601 and 611 of "Teletexto" TVE.

2000ers in Sierra de Ayllón

Main peaks as links are in bold. Subsidiary peaks are in normal text.

Two thousanders in Sierra de Ayllón

#	MOUNTAIN	ALTITUDE (m)
01	Pico del Lobo	2272
02	Alto de las Mesas	2257
03	La Buitrera de los Lobos S summit	2221
04	La Buitrera de los Lobos S-SE summit	2215
05	Las Peñuelas Central summit	2211
06	Las Peñuelas W summit	2204
07	Cerrón	2197
08	Las Peñuelas E summit	2194
09	El Cervunal	2194
10	Tres Provincias (Cebollera Vieja)	2128
11	Cerro de la Majada de los Carneros	2078
12	La Pedriza	2071
13	Peñón de Matarredonda	2065
14	Loma de Cabeza Pinillo	2061
15	El Rocín	2051
16	Ocejón	2049
17	La Cebosa	2048
18	El Corco (Coto de Montejo)	2047
19	Cerro del Picaño Central summit	2046
20	Buitrera	2038
21	Cerro del Picaño W summit	2033
22	Cabeza Pinillo E summit	2032
23	Alto del Cervunalillo	2018
24	Alto del Cervunalillo	2018
25	Alto del Parrejón	2017
26	Cerro Ortigosa	2011
27	Cerro del Picaño SE summit	2008
28	Cerro del Aventadero	2003

I've climbed the majority of these summits, many of them can be attempted in a whole day.

External Links

Reportaje sobre vivac en el pico del Lobo
Amplio reportaje con bastantes fotos, incluye una subida desde El Cardoso de la Sierra (Guadalajara) por la cara sur del pico del Lobo y la posibilidad de dormir en la cima.

Reportaje: Subida al pico del Lobo desde La Pinilla
Fotos y descripción de esta ruta, incluye un video con bajadas esquiando por la zona. Realizado el 6-12-2004.

Reportaje: Montañismo por La Pinilla y el Pico del Lobo
Reportaje sobre montañismo y alpinismo saliendo desde La Pinilla y llegando al Pico del Lobo.

Images

View Pico del Lobo Image Gallery - 70 Images