A flexible self-guided walking holiday in Spain’s Picos de Europa National Park, with a choice of easy or challenging routes each day, based in two mountain villages in Asturias.
8 Days / 7 Nights
Moderate, with easier and harder route options daily
Asturias, Picos de Europa National Park, Spain
1 April to 31 October
Varies by daily route choice, roughly 6 to 23 km per day
€675
The Picos de Europa rise dramatically from Spain’s northern coastline, forming a natural boundary between the green, damp Asturian coast and the drier plains of Castille further south. A network of well-marked tracks connects villages that have changed little for centuries, among them Bulnes, reachable only on foot or by funicular railway.
This 8-day holiday stays on the north side of the Picos, in Asturias, based in two villages rather than moving on every night. From open meadows grazed by cattle to river gorges where vultures nest, the landscape changes daily, and each day offers a choice of easier or more demanding routes, including the option to climb to the mountain hut beneath the well-known peak of Picu Urriellu.
Accommodation:
Two family-run hotels, rated 2 and 3 stars, both with outdoor terraces and one with a swimming pool. Rooms are spacious and en-suite. Standard accommodation is at the Hotel Picos de Europa in Arenas de Cabrales and the Hotel Sotres in Sotres. If either is unavailable, a similar alternative is arranged and confirmed at the time of booking. Additional nights can be added at either hotel.
Meals:
Bed and breakfast throughout, with 4 dinners included in Sotres. Dinners in Arenas de Cabrales aren’t included, but the town has plenty of restaurants. Lunches can be bought from hotels or village shops along the way.
Availability:
Starts any day of the week, between 1 April and 31 October.
Difficulty:
Graded moderate overall, with a choice of easier or more challenging route options built into most days, so the trip suits a wide range of walking abilities, including families.
Settle into your hotel in the centre of this picturesque village. There's time to try the local cider on one of the terraces, wander the quiet squares and back lanes, or visit the Romanesque Santa Maria de Llas church. Arenas is also a good place to pick up any last walking gear or food supplies.
Overnight: Hotel Picos de Europa, Arenas de Cabrales
Option 1: 10 km, 350 m ascent, 350 m descent, around 3.5 hrs
Option 2: 11.5 km, 650 m ascent, 650 m descent, around 5 hrs
A climb to the summer meadows of Nava, 500m above the Cares River, with excellent views over the Picos. Strenuous but rewarding, especially in early summer when the meadows are full of wildflowers. A shorter, lower-elevation alternative is also available.
Overnight: Hotel Picos de Europa, Arenas de Cabrales
Distance: 9 km, Ascent: 575 m, Descent: 250 m, Walking time: around 3.5 hrs
A short transfer to Tielve, one of the most authentic villages in this part of the Picos, followed by a walk to Valfríu, where locals still produce the region's well known blue cheese, Queso de Cabrales. A gradual climb through heather, old beech woods and streams leads to a pass at 1,240m, then down to Sotres at 1,050m, one of the highest villages in the Picos and your base for the next four nights.
Overnight: Hotel Sotres
Option 1: 12 km, 550 m ascent, 840 m descent, around 5 hrs
Option 2: 18.5 km, 1,045 m ascent, 1,335 m descent, around 8.5 hrs
A circular walk through the eastern massif of the Picos, on rocky paths and a disused mining track through limestone terrain of sharp ridges and deep depressions. Alpine flora grows among the rocks, and there's a good chance of spotting chamois, vultures or eagles.
Overnight: Hotel Sotres
Option 1: 6 km, 300 m ascent, 300 m descent, around 2.5 hrs
Option 2: 14.5 km, 840 m ascent, 840 m descent, around 5.5 hrs
Option 3: 18.5 km, 635 m ascent, 635 m descent, around 6.5 hrs
Option 4: 19 km, 1,000 m ascent, 100 m descent, around 7 hrs
Four different routes to choose between over these two days, depending on weather, fitness or preference: up to the Vega de Urriellu mountain refuge at 2,000m, at the foot of Picu Urriellu; through meadows and woods near Tresviso, home to the rare capercaillie; up to 1,650m through a glacier valley grazed by sheep, horses and cattle; or a quieter stroll along farm tracks near the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Sotres (both nights)
Option 1: 13 km, 425 m ascent, 1,100 m descent, around 5 hrs
Option 2: 23 km, 600 m ascent, 600 m descent, around 7 hrs
Farm tracks lead up to the Pandebano Pass at 1,245m, then an old footpath descends through meadows to Bulnes, an authentic mountain village reachable only on foot or by funicular. Take the funicular down through the tunnel to Poncebos, or extend the walk through a gorge where vultures nest, before a local bus back to Arenas. On days when the weather isn't ideal, a taxi transfer to Poncebos allows for a walk into the Cares Gorge instead.
Overnight: Hotel Picos de Europa, Arenas de Cabrales
The holiday ends after breakfast.
From
€675
per person
Minimum 2 people per booking; high season supplement may apply
