Walking the Picos de Europa

The small but endearing town of Arenas de Cabrales acts as a major gateway to the Picos de Europa. It’s here we gather at the hotel. When everyone’s arrived, we’ll have a welcome briefing – an excellent chance to meet the group and leader.

Alternatively, if you’d like a little time to settle into the adventure, speak to us about booking hotel nights before the trip begins

The walk begins directly from our hotel. After leaving the village, a path leads us up to the pastures of Vanu with the most famous peaks of Picos de Europa visible on sunny days.

We continue onwards where the scenery changes and we can view across the main valley of Cabrales. In spring, it’s possible to see a large variety of flowers. Looking skywards it is also possible to spot some vultures soaring above.

For lunch, we will approach the village of Inguanzo before completing the final part of the walk. This section is more undulating and provides us with fresh views; a comfortable last mile takes us back to Arenas de Cabrales.

Most of this first day’s walk follows wide easy tracks for warming up with some steep ascents. There is only a short section of downhill walking.

Distance: 10mi (16km); ascent: 2,395ft (730m); descent: 2,395ft (730m); duration: seven hours; highest point: Los Fresnos col at 2,362ft (720m) above sea level

See day 4 of Level 3 (Moderate) itinerary description for further details.

A short transfer takes us to the village of Canales. The first part of the day follows farm tracks before a short climb up to the Collado de los Buitres. If you are lucky, you may see griffon vultures soaring above. We then follow open terrain, slowly ascending to the base of the Pandescura peak. A simple ascent to the top will lead us to an ideal lunch spot with superb views of the western massif peaks. We then descend through green hills to the village of Demues.

Distance: 9mi (14km); ascent: 1,804ft (550m); descent: 1,903ft (580m); duration: six hours; highest point: Pandescura peak at 3,281ft (1,000m) above sea level

The walk begins directly from our hotel. After leaving the village, an ancient Roman path leads us up to the high pastures of Nava, which in May and June are alive with a sea of flowers. We continue up where the scenery changes, with limestone outcrops jutting out of the landscape. Looking skywards, we may spot eagles and vultures riding the thermals.

The path leads us to the summit of Juan Robre, which rewards us with commanding views of Arenas de Cabrales far below and the jagged peaks of the central massif in the distance. We descend via the Juan Robre ridge, which brings us back to Arenas de Cabrales and an opportunity to sample a refreshing glass of cider.

This walk may be done in the opposite direction according to the weather conditions.

Distance: 9mi (14km); ascent: 2,461ft (750m); descent: 2,461ft (750m); duration: seven hours; highest point: Cabeza Juan Robre at 2,858ft (871m) above sea level

The Cares Gorge trail has been described as the jewel in the crown of Spanish hiking. For 7.5mi (12km), the engineered path has been blasted into the rock face. Originally built in the 1940s as part of a hydroelectric scheme, it is now one of the most popular walks in the country. In places, the surrounding peaks rise more than 6,562ft (2,000m) above the path and, if we’re lucky, we glimpse the rare and beautiful wall creeper bird.

The path eventually emerges in the village of Cain, where we lunch before returning along the same path to Puente Poncebos. Transport will be waiting here to take us back to our hotel in Arenas. The walk is relatively flat with a gradual ascent of just 1,148ft (350m) from Puente Poncebos to Cain.

Distance: 15mi (24km); ascent: 1,804ft (550m); descent: 1,804ft (550m); duration: seven hours; highest point: Los Collaos at 1,673ft (510m)

We start the walk by Tielve village (2,133ft/650m above sea level). An ascent of 3,281ft (1,000m) through hazel and beech woods surrounded by limestone takes us to one of the classic viewpoints of the Picos; the summit of Main range. From the summit, we descend to the area of the Collado de Pandebano with fantastic views of the central massif and the northern valleys.

From here, we start the second part of the descent into the hamlet of Bulnes, which is in the shadow of vast cliffs and its only communications to the exterior used to be old donkey tracks until 2001, when a funicular railway was constructed. Those wishing to end the walk here can take the train to the bottom (approximately €17 per person), while those wishing to continue will follow a small and narrow valley down to the old bridge.

Distance: 9mi (14km); ascent: 3,773ft (1,150m); descent: 4,921ft (1,500m); duration 10 hours; highest point: Cabeza la Mesa at 5,288ft (1,612m)

Today is free for you to visit the coast, self-guided canoeing, or canyoning. Our local staff can help organise any of these activities.

Starting close to the village of Tieve, we walk up into the Main range and summit Peña Main, one of the classic viewpoints in the Picos. We walk to Collado de Pandebano and then begin our descent.

Distance: 7mi (11km); ascent: 3,445ft (1,050m); descent: 2,428ft (740m); duration: seven hours; highest point: Cabeza la Mesa at 5,288ft (1,612m)

A very short transfer takes us to the start of the walk. We initially start walking on a steep farm track for 1.5km which then becomes a winding footpath passing through woodland until we reach the open pastures known as Bierru. This is where the local blue cheese (Queso Cabrales) is produced. The route then continues steeply up through more woodland until reaching the highest point of the day, the beautiful pastures of Tordin and the imposing entrance to the “Cueva la Grayera” (Magpie cave). Afterwards the route starts to gently descend across open terrain to the pastures of Tambrin. From here we follow the partly cobbled Roman footpath “Camino se Caoru” down into the village of Arenas.

Distance: 9mi (14km); ascent: 3,608ft (1100m); descent: 3,600ft (1,095m); duration: eight hours; highest point: Collado de fuentes viña at 4,012ft (1,223m)

At 6,562ft (2,000m), the twin summits of Mancondiu are the highest point we reach during the week. Most of the walking, apart from the last 656ft (200m), is on disused mining tracks. The top offers fantastic views of the central and eastern massifs and is a fantastic end to a diverse week of walking.

Distance: 7mi (11km); ascent: 2,411ft (735m); descent: 2,411ft (735m); duration: five hours; highest point: Macondiu peak at 6,562ft (2,000m)

At 6,562ft (2,000m), the twin summits of Mancondiu are the highest point we reach during the week. Most of the walking, apart from the last 656ft (200m), is on disused mining tracks. The top offers fantastic views of the central and eastern massifs and is a fantastic end to a diverse week of walking. There is the option to traverse between the two peaks across an exposed ridge, but this is not recommended for those who are uncomfortable with steep drops.

From Mancondiu, we can see San Carlos, the next peak we will climb. This ascent is easier but longer than Mancondiu and we will enjoy views over the valleys and ranges to the south of the Picos. We will then backtrack for approximately one hour before we reach an alternative footpath that will take us back to the beginning of the walk.

Distance: 9mi (15km); ascent: 3,871ft (1,180m); descent: 3,871ft (1,180m); duration: nine hours; highest point: San Carlos or Sagrado Corazon at 7,257ft (2,212m)

After one final breakfast, you’ll begin your return journey home. Of course, if you’d like to continue the adventure, you can always speak to your sales consultant and extend your hotel stay.