When to go
April – October
Price
From £1,445 pp (including flights)
Flight time
01hrs 40mins
Introduction
Picos de Europa, the third-tallest mountain range in Spain, is renowned for its challenging terrain, tranquil scenery, and – at times- inaccessible nature. This makes it the perfect challenge for beginner and experienced hikers. During your journey across this beautiful part of Span, you will get the chance to marvel at various vantage points, watch the native birds – including eagles, griffon vultures, and chamois – soar in the sky, and admire the blooming wildflower.
At a Glance
Duration
8 days & 7 nights
Guide price
Group: £1,445pp (including flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Bilbao – Arenas de Cabrales – Vanu – Classic Cares Gorge Walk – Pandescura Peak – Nava – Summit Main Range – Collado de Pandebano – Bulnes – Peña Main – Collado de Pandebano – Mancondiu – San Carlos Peak – Bilbao
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour | Walking/Trekking
Activity Level
3 out of 7 - Moderate
Age Range
16+
Star Rating of Tour
Superior
Accommodation
Hotel Torrecerredo
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Minimum 4 people with a maximum of 15
Start/Finish
Bilbao-Bilbao
Extensions
Highlights
Varied Walks In and Around Spain’s Oldest National Park
Containing glaciated peaks, alpine meadows, and tiny harbor enclaves, Picos de Europa was first established in 1918 and is in close proximity to Santander and Gijón. It provides memorable and engaging walking trails, with challenging sections that will reward visitors with stunning scenery, dizzying drops, and dark tunnels begging to be explored.
Visit Traditional Mountain Villages
Picos de Europa is situated close to many local villages, including Canales, Cain, and Tielve. These villages will give you a chance to see what life is like in a traditional area, where they come from, and how they live in modern society.
Enjoy Delicious Home-Cooked Meals
To help keep you energized during your journey, you will enjoy 3-course meals on a daily basis. The meals will be lovingly prepared by expert chefs, using the freshest ingredients, and including a wealth of local influences to delight your taste buds.
Recommended Hotels
Hotel Torrecerredo
Sample Itinerary
Walking Tour of Picos de Europa
Famous for its challenging yet rewarding trails, scenic vantage points, and traditional local villages, Picos de Europa is an incredible place to visit. In this 8-day sample itinerary, you will walk up the twin summits of Mancondiu, descend to the Majada de Belbin (where local cheese is produced), and take an optional caving, canoeing, or canyoning trip. You will also enjoy comfortable accommodation in a family-run hotel, along with lovingly prepared, home-cooked meals each day.
Day 1: Arenas de Cabrales
Arrive in the small town of Arenas de Cabrales and gather at the hotel for a welcome briefing.
(D)
Day 2: Arenas de Cabrales – Vanu – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure
Start your walk from the hotel and leave the village. Pass through Vanu and marvel at the Picos de Europa peaks. Proceed to the main valley of Cabrales where, in Spring, you can see a wide range of flowers blooming in the fields.
For lunch, visit the village of Inguanzo and then complete the final walking section.
Distance: 10mi (16km)
Ascent: 2,395ft
Descent: 2,395ft
Duration: Approximately 7 hours of walking
Highest point: Los Fresnos col at 2,362ft (720m) above sea level
Classic Cares Gorge Walk – Level 5 (Challenging) departure: See Day 4 of the Level 3 (Moderate) itinerary description for more details.
(B, L, D)
Day 3: Pandescura Peak – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure
Transfer to Canales village. In the morning, follow farm tracks and climb up the Collado de los Buitres. You may witness griffin vultures flying through the sky. Ascend to Pandescura Peak and enjoy the stunning views of the western massif peaks.
Distance: 9mi (14km)
Ascent: 1,804ft
Descent: 1,903ft
Duration: Approximately 6 hours of walking
Highest point: Pandescura peak at 3,281ft above sea
(B, L, D)
Reach the high pastures of Nava – Summit of Juan Robre – Arenas de Cabrales – Level 5 (Challenging) departure
Start your walk from the hotel. Follow an ancient roman path to the Nava pastures. You may see a wide variety of flowers if you visit in May and June.
From there, head to the summit of Juan Robre, and marvel at the incredible views of Arenas de Cabrales. Then descend the Juan Robre ridge and return to Arenas de Cabrales. If the weather permits, you may do this walk in the opposite direction.
Distance: 9mi (14km)
Ascent: 2,461ft
Descent: 2,461ft
Duration: Approximately 7 hours of walking
Highest point: Cabeza Juan Robre at 2,858ft above sea
(B, L, D)
Day 4: Classic Cares Gorge Walk – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure
Go on a 7.5mi (12km) walk through the Classic Cares Gorge trail, a unique path in the form of a rock face. The trail was built in 1940 and the highest point is 6,592ft.
Then proceed to the village of Cain for lunch and return to Puente Poncebos via the same path. Return to your hotel in Arenas with a gentle, mostly flat surface walk.
Ascent: 1,804ft
Descent: 1,804ft
Duration: Approximately 7 hours of walking
Highest point: Los Collaos at 1,673ft
(B, L, D)
Summit Main Range – Collado de Pandebano – Bulnes – Level 5 (Challenging) departure
Walk by the village of Tielve and ascend to one of the most exquisite viewpoints of Picos. From the summit, descend to Collado de Pandebano for more incredible views.
Begin the second part of the journey by descending the Bulnes hamlet. If you wish to end the walk there, take an optional train to the hotel. Otherwise, continue to follow the trail.
Ascent: 3,773ft
Descent: 4,921ft
Duration: Approximately 10 hours of walking
Highest point: Cabeza la Mesa at 5,288ft
(B, L, D)
Day 5: Free Day of Leisure
Enjoy a free day of leisure and relaxation to explore the town and its many shops, cafes, and restaurants. There is also optional activities like caving, canoeing, and canyoning. Talk to the local staff to organize these activities for you.
(B)
Day 6: Summit of Peña Main – Picos – Collado de Pandebano – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure
Starting from Tieve village, walk up to the Main range and the Peña Main summit. Then walk to Collado de Pandebano and make the descent.
Ascent: 3,445ft
Descent: 2,428ft
Duration: Approximately 7 hours of walking
Highest point: Cabeza la Mesa at 5,288ft
(B, L, D)
Lakes of Covadonga – Majada de Belbin and Peak Pandescura – Level 5 (Challenging) Departure
Head west to the Covadona lakes, stopping by the Covadona Sanctuary on the way. Loop around the mountain farming area and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Picos.
Afterwards, descend to the Majada de Belbin and learn about the local cheese production industry. Enjoy a rest break, and then go on an ancient Roman path to reach the ascent of Peak Pandescura.
From there, walk through the green hills and reach the Cabrales valley, finishing at the hamlet of Canales.
Ascent: 1,804ft
Descent: 4,101ft
Duration: Approximately 7 hours of walking
Highest point: Majada las Bovias at 4,167ft
(B, L, D)
Day 7: Mancondiu – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure
Make your way to Mancondiu, twin summits with the highest peaks of your journey. Spend most of the time walking on disused mining tracks, enjoying the fantastic views of the eastern and central massifs.
Ascent: 2,411ft
Descent: 2,411ft
Duration: Approximately 5 hours of walking
Highest point: Macondiu peak at 6,562ft
(B, L, D)
Twin Summits of Mancondiu – San Carlos Peak – Level 5 (Challenging) Departure
Visit the Mancondiu twin summits. Spend most of the day walking on disused mining tracks. Enjoy fantastic views from the central and eastern massifs. Take an optional walk between two peaks over an exposed ridge. Please note there are steep drops on this trail.
After Mancondiu, climb the San Carlos peak and enjoy the tremendous views of the valleys from the top. Then backtrack to the beginning of your walk.
Ascent: 3,871ft
Descent: 3,871ft
Duration: Approximately 9 hours of walking
Highest point: San Carlos or Sagrado Corazon at 7,257ft
(B, L, D)
Day 8: Arenas de Cabrales
Enjoy the last breakfast and start your journey home. If you wish to stay longer, talk to your sales consultant, and extend your hotel stay.
(B)
