Location and surroundings
La Cotorra sits in the Obarenes Mountains, part of the broader Basque Mountains system in Europe. Administratively it is in the municipality of Valle de Tobalina, in the district of Burgos, Castile and León, Spain. It is the highest peak in the Obarenes Mountains and the highest of the 117 named peaks in that range.
The mountain rises in a landscape of ridges, wooded slopes and open high ground typical of this part of northern Spain. The summit area is inside Parque Natural Montes Obarenes-San Zadornil, which adds a protected natural setting to the climb. The nearest settlement listed is Valderrama, about 4.8 km to the west.
Neighbouring peaks
La Cotorra is surrounded by several named peaks at short to moderate distances. The nearest high points are mostly lower, although Talas del Somo is slightly higher and very close to the west.
- El Cueto — 1,362 m, 8.1 km NE
- Alto de la Mota — 1,314 m, 8.5 km NE
- Santamancos — 553 m, 14.6 km E
- La Tesla — 1,333 m, 31.2 km NW
- Ponata — 1,091 m, 32.6 km N
- Iturrigorri — 1,068 m, 33.0 km N
- Aro — 1,133 m, 33.7 km N
- Ungino — 1,098 m, 34.0 km N
Compared with these neighbours, La Cotorra is the dominant summit in its immediate range, but not the highest point in the wider local skyline.
The view from the summit
From La Cotorra, the most notable nearby high points within 25 km are the following. They give a good sense of the surrounding ridge system and the relative height of the summit.
- Talas del Somo — 1,409 m, 0.4 km W
- Flor — 1,338 m, 2.6 km E
- Cantona — 1,353 m, 4.9 km S
- Mojon Acuchillado — 1,354 m, 8.6 km N
- Revillallanos — 1,297 m, 9.8 km N
- Tablones — 1,248 m, 23.0 km W
The closest of these, Talas del Somo, is slightly lower and only a short distance away, while the others mark the main ridges around the mountain. On clear days, this kind of setting usually gives broad views across the Obarenes ridges and the lower country beyond.
The range
La Cotorra belongs to the Obarenes Mountains, where it is the highest peak. The range’s high point is therefore the summit itself, and La Cotorra ranks first among the range’s 117 named peaks. In the wider chain, the mountain sits within the Southern Basque Mountains, then the Basque Mountains, then the Cantabrian Mountains, on the Iberian Peninsula.
This makes it a reference summit for the Obarenes Mountains rather than a minor local hill. Its position at the top of the range gives it importance for route planning, navigation and understanding the relief of the natural park around it.
Access and starting points
The nearest settlement listed for access is Valderrama, about 4.8 km west of the summit. From there, the rough walking estimate is about 6.3 km on foot with 820 m of ascent, which suggests roughly 2–3 hours by Naismith’s rule. A marked route, Sendero del Humión, runs over or next to the summit and is the clearest named hiking line in the area.
Close to the top, Virgen de Humión lies about 540 m west of the summit. Water points mapped nearby include Fuente de Yédramo 650 m south, another drinking-water point 960 m south, and Fuente de la Asnilla 1.6 km east. These features make the summit area easier to plan than a completely dry ridge, but the approach still needs careful route-finding.
Climate and weather
Climate estimates from NASA POWER suggest that the summit is cool but not severe for much of the year. The warmest month is August, at about 16 °C on average at the summit, while the coldest is January, at about 2 °C. Mean temperatures stay above freezing in every month listed. The surrounding area receives about 600 mm of precipitation a year, with the wettest month in November at about 75 mm and the driest in August at about 25 mm.
In this part of northern Spain, weather can change quickly on ridges, with wind, cloud and wet rock after rain. In colder periods, frost and occasional snow are possible at altitude, while summer heat can still make the ascent tiring on exposed slopes.
Best time to visit
Because the summit stays above freezing on average through the year, La Cotorra can be climbed in several seasons, but the most comfortable conditions are usually in late spring, summer and early autumn. The drier part of the year is around August, while November is the wettest month, so autumn approaches may be muddier and more slippery.
For a hill of this height in northern Spain, the best days are often those with settled weather, light wind and good visibility. After rain, the limestone and earth tracks common in the region can become slick, so timing the ascent for a dry spell is sensible.
Nature and wildlife
The summit area lies in Parque Natural Montes Obarenes-San Zadornil, so the mountain is part of a protected natural landscape. Around this elevation in northern Spain, slopes often carry a mix of grassland, scrub, rocky ground and woodland, with more open terrain near ridges and denser vegetation lower down.
Wildlife in such mountains commonly includes birds of prey, small mammals and forest species adapted to the seasonal climate. The protected status of the area means visitors should stay on established paths where possible and avoid disturbing plants, nesting birds and grazing land.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain like La Cotorra, a certified guide is usually not essential for experienced hikers in settled weather, but it can be useful if you want help with route-finding, pace, weather decisions or a longer outing in the surrounding range. In Spain, the Spanish Mountain Guides Association (Asociación Española de Guías de Montaña, AEGM) is an IFMGA/UIAGM member, and the Spanish Federation of Mountain Sports and Climbing (FEDME) is the national federation.
Visitors often also turn to local tourist offices in nearby towns and to established guiding companies working in Spain’s mountains, such as Spanish Highs in Granada’s Sierra Nevada. A guided day usually covers route choice, pacing, safety and equipment advice; the cost depends on the number of days, group size, hut nights and technical gear needed.
Safety and preparation
La Cotorra is not a technical peak, but it still asks for mountain fitness, steady footwear and attention to weather, especially on exposed ridges and in wet conditions. The ascent from Valderrama is long enough to require water, food and a realistic pace, and the protected area means visitors should stick to paths and respect local access rules.
For emergencies in Spain, the mountain rescue number is 112. It connects to the single emergency system, so it is the number to use if conditions deteriorate or someone is injured.
Interesting facts
La Cotorra is the highest peak in the Obarenes Mountains and the highest of their 117 named summits. The nearest higher point listed is Talas del Somo, which is 1,409 m and lies only 0.4 km to the west. That close neighbour shows how tightly packed the high ground is in this part of the range.
The mountain also sits within a protected natural park and has a marked hiking route passing over or beside it. Those features make it both a range high point and a practical objective for walkers exploring the Obarenes ridges.
FAQ
How high is La Cotorra? It reaches 1,437 m above sea level.
Where is La Cotorra? It is in Valle de Tobalina, in Burgos, Castile and León, in northern Spain.
What mountain range is La Cotorra part of? It belongs to the Obarenes Mountains, within the wider Southern Basque Mountains, Basque Mountains and Cantabrian Mountains.
What are the nearest peaks to La Cotorra? The closest listed peaks are El Cueto to the northeast, Alto de la Mota to the northeast, and Talas del Somo just west of the summit.
Is there water on the way to La Cotorra? Yes. Mapped water points include Fuente de Yédramo south of the summit and Fuente de la Asnilla to the east. Even so, carry about 1.5–3 litres for a day, depending on heat and route length.
Are there huts on La Cotorra? OpenStreetMap shows no hut or shelter within 2 km of the top, so hikers usually plan the ascent as a day trip or carry their own tent.
How long does it take to walk up La Cotorra from Valderrama? The rough estimate is about 2–3 hours from Valderrama, based on distance and height gain. The real path may take longer.
Will my phone work on La Cotorra? There are 16 mapped communication masts within 10 km, and the nearest is about 5.3 km away to the north. On an open summit a signal is likely, but it can fail in valleys or behind ridges. Always keep 112 available and download maps before setting out.