Picos de Europa - Mountain Paths & Coastal Trails
8 days Guided Groups, Fixed Departures, Twin Centres
This twin centred guided trip explores the best of the contrasting scenery offered by Spain's magnificent Picos de Europa National Park and the nearby Cantabrian coast, a unique combination of mountain and seaside walking unmatched elsewhere in Europe. Not as populated as the Alps or as high as the Pyrenees but of surely equal stature as far as dramatic silhouettes and excellent walking terrain are concerned, the Picos de Europa are Spain's most spectacular mountains. Located less than 25km inland from the Cantabrian Sea, this impressive range's limestone peaks rise to over 2600 metres. The bulk of the National Park falls within the boundaries of Asturias - not only Spain's greenest, wildest and most mountainous region, where bears and wolves still roam and a traditional way of life remains, but also blessed with some of the country's most attractive coastline, an endless succession of grassy pastures, rocky headlands and sandy shores. Our expert local guides take you on classic walks in these unique mountains - through lunar landscapes and alpine meadows with eagles and chamois observing you from rock outcrops towering above, while cattle and shepherds meander below - and on little known paths along the cliff tops and coastal meadows linking secret coves and golden beaches. The entire area is pocketed with ancestral hamlets, historic buildings and gorgeous bistros where the region's flavourful seafood, meats and cheeses are all washed down with the famous local apple cider. This is a surprising part of Spain unknown to most, an emerald landscape where Celtic pride and the eerie sound of bagpipes are deep rooted in the local culture - it captures the hearts and minds of all who come.
- Day 1. Outbound
- Fly to Oviedo and transfer to Cangas de Onis, first capital of Christian Spain and gateway to the Western Massif of Picos de Europa.
- Day 2. Lagos de Covadonga & Mirador de Ordiales
- Transfer to the pretty alpine lakes of Covadonga. Walk to Mirador de Ordiales, one of the finest viewpoints in the Picos, and burial site of Don Pedro Pidal, Marquis of Villaviciosa-founder of the National Park. Return via little visited meadows dotted with traditional stone built shepherd's huts where a delicious local cheese is cured. Transfer to Sotres (2220 metres) for the next three nights.
- Day 3. Naranjo de Bulnes
- Walk from the Pandebano meadows up to the base of Naranjo de Bulnes - locally known as Picu Uriellu. This huge sugarloaf monolith is considered Spain's most emblematic mountain, and was first climbed by Don Pedro Pidal. Today its sheer 600 metre faces are a magnet for climbers from all over Europe.
- Day 4. Cares Gorge
- The most famous walk in Picos de Europa! Follow the course of the Cares River on a sinuous path carved out of the rock, with steep limestone walls towering above.
- Day 5. Tresviso
- Take local paths through high pasturelands and forest from Sotres to Tresviso, perched over the Hermida Gorge, then down the impressive zig zags of the miners' trail to Urdon. Transfer to your base for the next three nights on the coast near the bustling town of Llanes.
- Days 6 and 7. Coastal Trails of Llanes
- Spend the next two days exploring this area's wonderful network of lovely coastal trails with stops to relax in secret coves and beaches. Highlights include a visit to some spectacular geysers and a walk along a cliff top section of the famous Pilgrim's Way to Santiago.
- Day 8. Homeward
- Transfer back to Oviedo to catch your flight home.
