Explore the trails in these northern Spanish mountains. The Picos de Europa are a compact and dramatic range of limestone mountains in northern Spain. The rugged and unspoilt landscape is home to vultures and chamois, and is dotted with remote villages.
This trekking itinerary follows a circular route and passes through some of the most well-known areas, including the Cares Gorge, a dramatic chasm up to 1000m deep. Elsewhere, you will visit the natural amphitheatre at Fuente Dé and the remote valley of Valdeon before heading out of the mountains and reaching San Vicente, a delightful old fishing village on the coast.
• Walk in the dramatic Picos
• Picturesque villages
• Spectacular scenery
Itinerary
Day 1: Fly to Bilbao - After your flight to Bilbao you transfer to your accommodation in Arenas de Cabrales. From here you have views up to the highest peak in the national park. Distinctive hotel - 7 nights.
Day 2: Walk up Juan Robre - Today starts with a walk straight from the door of your hotel. Once you are out of the village, a Roman path takes you up to the high pastures of Nava, which become a sea of flowers in May and June. As you continue up, the scenery may start to look more familiar as features similar to the Yorkshire Dales appear, with limestone outcrops jutting out everywhere. If you look up in the air, you may be lucky enough to see a variety of eagles and vultures soaring above you and floating on the thermals. The path then leads you up to the summit of Juan Robre, from where you will have commanding views of Arenas far below and the jagged peaks of the Central Massif in the distance. You descend via the Juan Robre ridge, which brings you back to Arenas where you can enjoy a well deserved cold drink to cool you down. (BLD)
Day 3: Cares Gorge - Described as the "jewel in the crown of walking in Spain", today you visit Cares Gorge. For 12km , the engineered path has been blasted into the rock face. Originally built in the 1940s as part of a hydroelectric scheme, it has now become one of the most popular Spanish walks. The surrounding peaks reach over 2000m in places, making for a stunning backdrop. If you are lucky, you may also catch a glimpse of the rare and beautiful wall creeper; a pretty bird which is mostly grey with rounded black wings that have central red patches. You eventually emerge in the village of Cain, where you stop for lunch before returning back along the same routeto Puente Poncebos, where transport will be waiting to take you back to Arenas. (BLD)
Day 4: Pandebano Col - Today you walk up to the Pandebano Col with amazing views of the monolithic peak of Naranjo de Bulnes. From here you continue on up to what is one of the classic viewpoints of the Picos at the summit of Peña Main. You then descend through forest and pastures until you reach the village of Tielve, where you meet your transport and head back to Arenas. (BLD)
Day 5: Free Day - Today is a free day so you can choose what you want to do, whether you want to visit the coast or try a spot of caving, canoeing or canyoning. Alternatively, if you are really keen, you can go for another walk!
Fuente Dé is one of the important tourist attractions in Cantabria due to the existence of its cable-car, which dates back to the beginning of the 20th Century. The top station (1834m) offers a fantastic viewpoint over the Picos and the surrounding mountains of the Cordillera Cantábrica. Fuente Dé itself is an impressive rock amphitheatre, actually a glacial corrie, of enormous dimensions. It is possible to walk up to the top cable car station, although the route gets rather steep at the end.
From the top, it is possible to walk down through the pastures of Áliva towards Espinama and Fuente Dé, perhaps stopping en route at a hotel to enjoy a drink and take in stunning views of the impressive rock face of Peña Vieja, the highest mountain in Cantabria at 2613 m. It is also possible to enjoy a refreshing dip in the Lagos de Lloroza. (B)
Day 6: Western Massif - A short drive takes you to the rarely visited foothills of the Western Massif for a varied circular walk, which includes an ascent of Peña Pandescura (1000m) before dropping down through an ancient forest to the Casaño Gorge, where in the summer months it's possible to bath in the rockpools along the course of the river. (BLD)
Day 7: Twin Summits of Mancondiu - To round off your holiday, your last full day will be spent enjoying the remaining stunning peaks. At 2000m, the twin summits of Mancondiu are the highest point that you reach during the week. The majority of the walking today will be done on disused mining tracks, apart from the last 200m. When you reach the top you will be rewarded with fantastic views of the Central and Eastern Massifs and for the brave, an easy but exposed traverse between the two summits marks a highlight to a varied week in an area that has been described as, "The most scenic exposure of compact limestone in Western Europe". (BLD)
Day 8: Fly Home - Today, it is time to say goodbye to Spain and your new found friends. You will drive to Bilbao where the trip ends for Land Only clients. Clients on group flights will fly home.
8 days from £669
Visit the Adventure Company Website or Tel 0845 609 0837
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