Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

What made this trip special were the other people on it. All twelve seemed to have something in common with the others. No loners, losers, or weirdos. Add to that a hotel staff that pulled out all the stops to ensure we enjoyed our stay, and a group leader who was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and witty ensured it was a holiday to remember.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro, the group leader, is a man in right the job. Brilliant

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you suffer from insect bites. Take antihistamine tablets, and anti mosquito spray with you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to choose. The Cares Gorge was what I'd been looking forward to and was breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvado really understood how to be a good leader. He knew the area well, he recognised whenever someone needed an extra bit of support, he had an excellent sense of humour and could laugh at himself too!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the final summit on the last day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

What can I say. Alvaro was just a treat to be with. He has so much experience and knowledge and is a lovely person. Very encouraging and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking is graded Moderate, but I would advise you to get a little training in beforehand to really enjoy it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the Cares Gorge and seeing at close hand the engineering involved in building the canal/aqueduct to deliver water to the hydroelectric power plant. Walking the Roman mining trail to the isolated village of Bulnes and beyond to the col for lunch.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro was outstanding. Not only knowledge of every track and trail in the region, which gave him the ability to vary the daily program to make the most of the weather and ensure we were not left exposed in the electrical storms prevailing at the time but also of all the flora and fauna, thus adding another dimension to the treks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not assume Spain in summer means sun and dry conditions. Take a light waterproof and over trousers and a fleece or sweater as just walking in cloud can be cool and wet. If you want to do the canoeing option (something of a highlight for me) on the free day take a swimming costume and shoes you are happy to get wet. Make sure you are protected against the sun, especially the tops of your feet. I found the waterproof product P20 excellent and it only has to be applied once per day. I noticed P30 and 50 are now available.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole of the twin summits of Mancondiu walk, a great scramble up a gully to the first peak, a knee trembling ridge walk to the second peak, and a bonus peak later in the day up to San Carlos at 2212m, where we had a amazing 360degree vista, including watching two vultures gliding beneath us.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro was a real star, very knowledgable and with a great love of the area. Nothing was too much trouble, this was a challenging week and Alvaro managed to guide us up some tricky routes in a manner that empowered all of us. He managed to engage on a personal level with everyone from day one. Probably the best group leader I've ever walked with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go, the first big reveal of the amazing scenery from the top of our first ridge just carried on getting better each day. Our experience was greatly enhanced by having a group where all the members were physically up to the challenging walks, some of the days were in excess of 9 hours, but the effort to get fit is so worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's always pot luck as to who your fellow group members are, but it is always fantastic when you get on with everyone despite the mix of personalities and backgrounds.  Great moments included the wonderful views as our daily climbs got a little higher, the siesta in the field on the way down from one walk wtih the cow bells tinkling in the background, the magnificence of the Carres Gorge, the cameraderie and chat over the post walk/pre dinner beer and the sampling of the local delicacy of percebes at the well recommended fish restaurant in Llanes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvarro was the perfect guide, his local knowledge of flora and fauna was excellent. He was enhtusiastic and keen and more than willing to answer the many questions our group had for him on the local area and the history of his country.  His knowledge and insight into the history of his country would put most of us to shame.  His English was excellent and he was extremely patient with those of the group who found one particular part of one walk a little tricky - he even picked one of the ladies up and carried her down - to the accompaniment of some rather loud screams.  When Alvarro said 'you will love it' we invariably did!!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you think you want to lose a couple of pounds on a walking holiday don't pick this one!! The food was excellent, from the breakfast through to the packed lunch and the wonderful evening meals. The countryside was beautiful and in early October we hardly met another soul (apart from Carres Gorge).   

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day had at least one WOW moment. The (slightly scarey) view looking deep down into the Carres Gorge. Sharing the exhileration of climbing a 2000m summit with the rest of the group. Falling asleep in a sunny meadow after lunch. A cup of coffee bought from a mountain refuge on a chilly morning.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro was fantastic. He made us all feel welcome right from meeting us at the airport with a big smile. He was excellent at preparing us for each walk - what to expect in terms of difficulty and what weather to expect. He was  very good at judging the pace of the group, supporting members when needed to acheive that final scramble to the summit. He was very knowledgeable about his country's history, heritage and wildlife and was also interested in finding out about each person in the group. He had a good sense of humour and a charmingly creative use of English. Now, if he was only to get a decent hair cut.....  

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like walking in mountains but without the extremes of too much scrambling or difficult descents then this is the perfect trip. We were lucky with the weather in early October but be prepared for wet or cold weather particularly up high.

Most Inspirational Moment

Creeping up on the Gryphon vultures perched on top of a hill.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader is one of the best I have ever had. Very enthusiastic and knowledgable about all the flora and fauna, geography and geology of the Picos.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, book this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the refuge with the "postcard" views, a family with 3 young children running it, and donkeys, a cat etc.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro was very considerate, sweet and keen. There is nothing negative to say.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a very sturdy/strong pair of walking boots with you as the paths are very rocky in Picos.

Most Inspirational Moment

I went on the Challenging itinerary and the views from the summits we reached were incredible. The walking was varied and well suited to everybody in the group and I loved every minute of it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro was one of the very best guides I have been on a trip with. Highly competent, great with people and always ready with a joke or two. Fantastic organiser and a top man.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do the challenging itinerary.....you won't regret it!