This week-long trekking adventure takes us into the beautiful high mountain scenery of Picos de Europa National Park. We explore the area in depth with walks in the unspoilt and wild landscapes of the western, central and eastern massifs. We base ourselves for six nights in Sotres – the highest inhabited village in the Picos. This tour showcases some of Spain’s finest scenery and includes a hike to the base of the iconic Naranjo de Bulnes mountain. On a trip highlight we trek along cliff-cut pathways through the imposing Cares Gorge - over 1000 m deep and 12 km long.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
1
Join tour Oviedo airport; drive to Benia de Onis
Arrive Oviedo airport, transfer to Benia de Onis and check-in at hotel. We spend our first night in this tranquil mountain town.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel
2
Drive to Covadonga Lakes; Walk to Ordiales viewpoint
We drive a short distance to Covadonga Lakes visiting the Basilica Santa Maria la Real of Covandonga on route. We start todays trek at 1100 m from where we will climb to the refuge at Vegaredonde (1500 m), a walkers rest stop and an opportunity to enjoy a warm drink in the open before continuing to the Ordiales viewpoint at 1700 m. From here we will return to the lakes from where we will catch our bus to Sotres. Approx. 7 hours walking (+600 m / -600 m, 23 km)
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3
Walk from El Collado de la Caballar to Arenas de Cabrales
We starts our day witha short transfer to El Collado de la Caballar (1100 m) from where we start todays walk. We start with a gentle descent to Toboad Majado (900 m) from here we start our ascent to Collado de Pasadoir (1215 m). We follow the ridge through the prairies of Portudera, Tambrim, and Todrin from where we will have some spectacular views (weather permitting) along the ridge of all three massifs before we start our descent to the outskirts of the Arenas de Cabrales where we join and follow an original roman road for 1.5 km. We return to Sotres for the night. (+350 m / -550 m, 17 km)
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4
Walk to iconic Naranjo de Bulnes mountain
We drive the short distance down to the collection of red-roofed buildings known as Invernales de Cabao and cross the river. Then, ascending along a series of switch-backs, we gain height quickly to reach a viewpoint looking back towards Sotres. The track levels out now, ascending more gradually onto a kind of plateau. Here stands the tiny hamlet of Pandebano, where, in AD718, a battle took place between the Visigothic Christians and the remnants of a somewhat depleted Moorish army. Leaving our vehicle, we walk up to a saddle, where the huge monolith of the Naranjo de Bulnes (Pico Urriellu 2519 m) comes into view. Rearing straight up from the surrounding rockscape, this rust-coloured mountain is the famous iconic image of the Picos. We walk up to the very base of the mountain where there is a refuge and the chance to see climbers attempting to scale the improbable sheer face. We retrace our steps to Pandebano where our transport awaits us to return to our hotel (approx 7 hours walking). (+800 m / -800 m, 16 km)
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
5
Walk via Treviso to Urdon, La Hermida Gorge; drive to Sotres
We start this morning with a short drive to Jito de Escarandi from where we start our walk at 1395 m through the Valdediezma beech forest and the Sobra Valley to Treviso where we will stop for a lunch break on route. After lunch we will continue down the Balcon de Pilatos to Urdon where we will meet our bus and return to Sotres for the evening. (approx 5 hours walking) (-1150 m, 10 km)
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
6
Drive to Puente Poncebos; walk the Cares Gorge to Cain and back; drive to Sotres
This morning we drive down through Alpine scenery to Puente Poncebos at 218 m. Here the medieval pack horse bridge spans the Cares river. This marks the starting point for the walk through the dramatic gorge of the Garganta del Cares – a cleft over 1000 m deep and some 12 km long. The path literally cuts into the cliffs in places; only with the aid of tunnels and bridges is it possible to traverse its entire length. This is one of the highlights of any visit to northern Spain and is a six hour round trip on foot, although walkers can turn back at any point and return to Poncebos where there are places to eat and drink. Finally, we return by vehicle to Sotres for a well-earned rest. (6-7 hours walk). (+300 m / -300 m, 24 km)
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
7
Drive to El Teju; Walk to Caseton de Andara via Aldea Col; drive to Sotres
A short drive to takes us to Hito de Escarandi (1395 m) take us to the start of our walk to the Caseton Refuge from where we wills tart to ascend to Aldea Col (1850 m) where we will have a rest and enjoy a picnic lunch on the Andara Vegas prairie. After lunch we will descend back to the Refuge traversing the Macondiu mountain (1725 m) and the continue onto Jito de Escarandi (1300 m) where the minibus will be waiting to return us to Sotres. We will arrange a transfer back to the hotel or you may choose to walk the final 30 minutes back to Sotres. (Approx 5 hours walking + / - 1300 m, 12 kms)
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
8
Drive to Oviedo airport
Tour ends after breakfast. We can take in the moutain scenery a final time en route to the airport.
Included meals: Breakfast
