Overview
A twelve day self-guided journey, hiking the Picos de Europa Mountains of northern Spain, rightly protected by national park status. This tour takes you into the heart of a landscape of limestone spires and twisting trails, covering its three central, eastern and western massifs. Categorised as a moderate to strenuous hiking tour, with highlights including Cares Gorge, El Frade Pass (1,785m) and sublime saunters through the sweeping Valdeón Valley. Stay in a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, inns and a mountain hut, including three nights in Sotres, the highest village in the Picos at 1,050m.
- Picos de Europa National Park
- Picu Urriellu (Naranjo de Bulnes)
- Ándara Massif
- Cares Gorge
- Chamois, golden eagles and Griffon vultures
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Arenas de Cabrales
Check-in to your hotel in Cabrales in the heart of the Picos de Europa and home to the famous Cabrales cheese. If time allows, we recommend exploring the village with a visit to the Romanesque Iglesia de Santa María de Llas. If it’s your thing, we do recommend also trying the local sidra (cider) at one of several bars.
- Accommodation: Hotel La Rivera or similar in Cabrales
Day 2: Arenas de Cabrales circular walk | 10 or 11.5km
Walk up to the meadows of Nava, located 500m above the Cares River with excellent views of the Picos. It is a challenging but rewarding walk, especially in early summer when the meadow flowers are in full bloom. For a shorter day, there is an option to walk through shadier and lower elevations. Return to Cabrales for the evening.
- Walking for the day: 11.5km, 5h, ↑650m ↓650m or 10km, 3.5h, ↑410m ↓410m
- Accommodation: Hotel La Rivera or similar in Cabrales
- Meals: breakfast
Day 3: Cares Gorge | 17.9km
Begin the day with a 5mins transfer to the start of the Cares Gorge walk in Poncebos. Follow the footpath, which was originally created for workers going to and from the hydroelectric station from, as far as Caín, From there, continue another 8km up the valley or take a taxi (payable locally) to the hotel in Posada de Valdeón.
- Walking for the day: 17.9km, 7h, ↑700m ↓125m or 12km, 3.5h, ↑300m ↓50m
- Accommodation: Hostal Residencia Campo or similar in Posada de Valdeón
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Posada de Valdeón circular walk | 16.8 or 20.8km
A short transfer takes you to Posada de Valdeón. Today is more relaxed, with a circular walk in the wooded areas near Valdeón as far as a shepherd’s refuge on the north side of Vega de Llos (1,545m), an excellent place to stop for a rest. There is the option of continuing on up to El Frade pass (1,785m) for views all the way to the sea. From Posada de Valdeón is only 2.8km back to Posada de Valdeón.
- Walking for the day: 16.8km, 5h, ↑650m ↓650m, El Frade Pass + 4km, 1.5h, ↑200m ↓200m
- Accommodation: Hotel Cumbres Valdeón or similar in Posada de Valdeón
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 5: Posada de Valdeón – Espinama via Liordes | 17 or 18km
The day starts with an ascent along El Camíno del Mercadillo, a historic traders’ path which joins Posada de Valdeón to Liébana. After 7km, you come to some open meadows at Caben Remoña, on the border between the provinces of León and Cantabria. Here, there is a choice of walking straight to Espinama (9km, ↓900m) or taking the high route via Vega de Liordes down to Fuente Dé, followed by a bus or taxi to the hotel (payable locally).
- Walking for the day: 18km, 8-9h, ↑1,270m ↓1,120m or 17km, 6-7h, ↑850m ↓900m
- Accommodation: Hostal Remoña or similar in Espinama
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 6: Rest day in Potes or walk to Horcados Rojos | 18km
Optional rest day today, either spend time relaxing in the hotel garden by the pool or take a trip to nearby medieval town of Potes. Alternatively, take the bus to Fuente Dé (1,100m) and then the cable car (payable locally) up to 1,835m. The walking trail then takes you to Horcados Rojos, a superb viewpoint of the Picos. There is also an option of a shorter walk on rural tracks and footpaths through woodlands in the Espinama Valley.
- Walking for the day (optional): 18km, 6h, ↑550m ↓725m or 17km, 6-7h, ↑850m ↓900m
- Accommodation: Hostal Remoña or similar in Espinama
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 7: Espinama – Sotres | 17km
A long but technically easy walk today. First along footpaths through woodlands near Pembes, then along farm tracks to Áliva Pass (1,645m), finally follow a glacier moraine down the Duje River to reach Sotres. At 1,050m, this is the highest village in the Picos, and home for the next three nights, as it’s an ideal base for some excellent walking routes.
- Walking for the day: 17km, 7-8h, ↑925m ↓775m
- Accommodation: Hotel Sotres or similar in Sotres
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 8: Ándara circular walk | 12-18km
After a short transfer, start the route in Ándara in the eastern massif. The first section follows a historic mining track into the heart of the massif. Continue on to reach an elevation of 2,215m. Descend via cattle trails back down to the hotel in Sotres.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 5-6h, ↑550m ↓840m; Pico San Carlos + 6km, 3h, ↑500m ↓500m
- Accommodation: Hotel Sotres or similar in Sotres
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 9: Tresviso circular walk | 14km
After a short transfer, walk through fields and woodland to the nearby village of Tresviso, with views of Urdón Gorge. This area is well known for being a habitat for the rare capercaillie bird, so listen out for its laughing call.
- Walking for the day: 14km, 5-6h, ↑500m ↓700m or 6km, 2-3h, ↑300m ↓300m)
- Accommodation: Hotel Sotres or similar in Sotres
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 10: Sotres – Vega de Urriellu | 12km
The route today takes you to the region’s iconic Picu Urriellu, also called Naranjo de Bulnes. Start off by following farm tracks from Sotres up to Pandébano Col. before following a footpath into the lunar landscapes at the heart of the central massif, with a night at Refugio Vega de Urriellu.
Please note: early in the season, snow can prevent access. If the hut cannot be reached, the alternative programme is a circular walk to nearby Tielve and one more overnight stay in Sotres.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 5-6h, ↑1,085m ↓180m
- Accommodation: Refugio Vega de Urriellu
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 11: Vega de Urriellu – Poncebos via Bulnes | 10km
Your last day of walking explores the Picos further as you traverse a steep footpath down Camburero Gorge to reach the village of Bulnes. Continue to descend through Teju Gorge to reach Poncebos, finally returning to Cabrales and the start of your trek. Early in the season, the descent may not be possible due to the water level from snow run-off. The alternate route goes via Pandébano. From Poncebos, take the local bus (payable locally) to Arenas de Cabrales.
- Walking for the day: 10km, 5-6h, ↑50m ↓1,900m
- Accommodation: Hotel La Rivera or similar in Cabrales
- Meals: breakfast
Day 12: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
- Meals: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, country inns and a mountain hut. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria, including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. Most of them have private en-suite rooms, the only exception being Refugio Vega de Urriellu on day ten, where accommodation is in mixed-gender dormitories with shared facilities.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel La Rivera (Arenas de Cabrales)
- Hotel Cumbres Valdeón (Posada de Valdeón)
- Hostal Remoña (Espinama)
- Hotel Sotres (Sotres)
- Refugio Vega de Urriellu (Vega de Urriellu)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation
Meals
All breakfasts and eight dinners are included in the programme. Lunch packs can be pre-ordered at the hotels, or you can buy food in the villages along the way. If dinner is not included at a location, it will be available either from the restaurant in your accommodation or restaurants in the village near your hotel.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated moderate to strenuous, with daily distances ranging from 10-22km. The walking sections require an excellent fitness level as there are some steep descents and ascents. The hike includes varied terrain, following 4×4 tracks, wide paths, narrow footpaths and animal trails. When wet, paths may be muddy and slippery. On some days, there are a couple of exposed sections that would not be suitable for those who suffer from vertigo (read more about difficulty grades).
The routes on this trip are generally well-marked, but marking can be poor in places, and you will need to follow the route notes and maps provided by us. You will be walking in the high mountains, and the ability to navigate with a map and compass in the event of bad weather is recommended. We strongly advise you to follow the trails and never shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed route notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season. You can start any day of the week from mid-May until mid-October.
Temperatures in the Picos are milder than other parts of Spain, with daily averages around 20C. Whilst sudden mists are common in the Picos, they usually burn off by mid-day. As with all mountainous areas and particularly because of the mountain’s proximity to the coast in this area, the weather can also change suddenly, and there can be sudden rain-showers or even snow at any time of year. To find out more about when to go, take a look at our blog Best time to go to Spain.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airports for this tour are Asturias Airport (OVD), Seve Ballesteros-Santander Airport (SDR) and Bilbao Airport (BIO).
By train or bus
- Asturias Airport – bus or taxi to Oviedo bus station (45mins), then take the bus to Unquera (2h). From Unquera take a taxi to Arenas de Cabrales (45mins)
- Bilbao Airport – bus or taxi to Bilbao bus station (14mins), then take a bus to Unquera (3h)
- Santander Airport – bus or taxi to Santander bus station (15mins), then take the bus to Unquera (1h 20mins)
- For further information, timetables and tickets, visit the national bus operator Alsa or use the Omio planner above
- You can also arrive into Santander or Bilbao by ferry from the UK or to Bilbao from Ireland with Brittany Ferries
Inclusions
Included
- 10 nights private accommodation
- 1 night in a mountain refuge (mixed-gender dorms, shared facilities)
- 11 breakfasts
- 8 dinners
- Detailed digital holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps. Please note that the info pack is emailed to you prior to departure, and no printed documents are mailed or provided on-site.
- Transfers on days three, four, five, eight and nine according to the programme. A private transfer on day 11 is included only if the bus is not running
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, three dinners, drinks and snacks
- Luggage transfers
- Bus tickets
- Cable car ticket on day six
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Optional luggage transfers on all walking days (one piece per person max 20kg). Please note: as the refuge on day 10 is not accessible by car, you’ll carry just the things you need for the day and night, while your luggage will be transported directly to the next hotel.
- Extra nights along the trail are bookable upon request
- Airport transfers are bookable upon request
Spain’s legal requirement for personal information
Please note: in December 2024, the Spanish government introduced a new law making it a legal obligation for all visitors to Spain to share personal details with their accommodations and car rental companies. Consequently, as we book your accommodation for you, we are obliged to pass these on to our local partners on the ground. After booking your holiday, we will send you a form to complete requesting all the legally-required information, including: name, nationality, gender, passport number, DOB, address, phone numbers and email address. This applies to all travellers aged 14 and over. If you are travelling with people under 14 years old, you need to declare your relationship to them. We apologise for any inconvenience. For more information, see here.
