Sierra de Híjar
| Sierra de Híjar | |
|---|---|
 The Sierra de Híjar range, viewed from Valdecebollas. In the foreground, the peaks of Peña Labra, Tres Mares, and Cuchillón are visible. In the background, Peña Agujas, Cueva del Cobre, and the Picos de Europa. | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Cuchillón |
| Elevation | 2,179–2,222 m (7,149–7,290 ft) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 24 km (15 mi) NNW |
| Area | 0.16 km2 (0.062 sq mi) |
| Geography | |
| Country |
 Spain |
| Parent range | Cantabrian Mountains |
The Sierra de Híjar is a mountain range between the Spanish provinces of Cantabria and Palencia. Its tail has a length of 24 kilometers and follows the direction WNW-ESE. The highest peaks in the range are concentrated in the first 18 kilometers to Collado de Somahoz. From this point, the altitude declines until Las Hoyos (1080 m). It has a maximum width of 5200 meters, between Penaguda and Sel de la Fuente.
The range's highest point is at the peak of Cuchillón, though its exact altitude differs by author: 2174 meters according to the National Geographic Institute of Spain, and 2222 meters according to Francisco Hernández-Pacheco[1] and other publications by the same National Geographic Institute.[2]
This system marks the boundary between the region Campoo of Cantabria and La Pernia of Palencia, in Castile and León. It is one of the southernmost foothills of the Cantabrian mountain range and the last to raise in excess of 2000 meters.[3]
Main Heights
The highest points are concentrated in the central sector, including Tres Mares and Cueto Manin. The western sector contains the long spine of Peña Labra and an access point to the summit from Polaciones. The eastern sector, extending from Sestil to Alto de Hoyos, is the lowest and is called the Cinto Brotherhood.
| Name, altitude | Coordinates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Peña Labra, 2029 m | 43°02′44″N 4°25′55″W / 43.04556°N 4.43194°W | At this peak there is a triangulation station of the first order. It ends a characteristic plateau, which joins the Fuente del Chivo with a 2000 meter boundary. |
| Tres Mares, 2171 m | 43°02′16″N 4°24′14″W / 43.03778°N 4.40389°W | There is a terrace at the top that acts as a great viewpoint. |
| Las Hoyas, 2106 m | 43°01′50″N 4°23′39″W / 43.03056°N 4.39417°W | |
| Cuchillón, 2174–2222 m | 43°01′36″N 4°23′27″W / 43.02667°N 4.39083°W | Highest point in the range. It is also referred to as "Canchal de la Muela" and "Peña del Pando", or "Rock of Pando", due to the summit's flat shape. |
| Cotomañinos o Guzmerones, 2144 m | 43°00′35″N 4°22′42″W / 43.00972°N 4.37833°W | This point and the previous point form the glacial basin of Hoyo Sacro and Guzmerones. |
| Cueto Mañín, 2122 m | 43°00′19″N 4°22′28″W / 43.00528°N 4.37444°W | Peña de las Agujas rises in this point's southern slope. |
| Valdecebollas, 2143 m | 42°58′00″N 4°21′54″W / 42.96667°N 4.36500°W | A ridge to the south of the range's main line. |
| Sestil, 2065 m | 42°58′20″N 4°20′53″W / 42.97222°N 4.34806°W | Between this point and Cueto Manin lies Sel de la Fuente. |
| Peña Rubia, 1937 m | 42°57′58″N 4°18′00″W / 42.96611°N 4.30000°W | Forms the long crest that births Camesa. |
| Cuesta Labra, 1951 m | 42°58′00″N 4°16′55″W / 42.96667°N 4.28194°W | On its north side are the glacial basins of Bucer and Vitor. It binds to the east with Peña Ensillada towards Somahoz.[4] |
Toponymy
According to cartographic studies by the National Geographic Institute of Spain and other works, the name "Peña Labra" is often used to refer to this system, especially as seen from the south side.[5] From this perspective, the top of Peña Labra appears most prominently, though it is not the highest in the system. However, all previously existing mapping, including the first series of the National Geographic Institute, or those of Francisco Coello and Quesada and Pascual Madoz, refers to this mountain as "Sierra de Híjar."
References
- ↑ Hernández-Pacheco 1944, p. 44, https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/807360644.
- ↑ Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España (2008). "Temario básico y bibliografía recomendada para la preparación de la Oposición al Cuerpo de Ingenieros Geógrafos.Conocimientos avanzados en Geografía y Cartografía" (PDF) (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- 1 2 Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España. "visor Iberpix". Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ↑ Luis Francisco, Felices Crespo; Felices de la Fuente, José Luis (2006). Andando por el Cielo de Cantabria (in Spanish). Santander: Artemásdiseño. p. 52. ISBN 84-611-2768-4.
- ↑ Alcalde Crespo et al. 1983, p. 15, https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/18106988.