Walking in the Picos de Europa

DAY 1

Arrive Spain / Arenas de Cabrales

Santander is the nearest airport (100kms/1hr20) to Arenas de Cabrales. However, Oviedo (124kms/1hr36) and Bilbao (230kms/2hr21) are other options. All three airports serve flights from London Stanstead.

Arenas de Cabrales is a picturesque village in the East of Asturias. Visit the Romanesque Santa Maria de Llas Church or try the regional dish, Fabada Asturina, a hearty stew made with regional ingredients.

Overnight: Hotel La Rivera

Your hotel for the first two nights is the Hotel La Rivera. This cosy, welcoming hotel is the ideal starting point for  your trek into the Picos de Europa National Park.

DAY 2

Circular Walk from Arenas

Start your trip with an ascent through seasonal meadows. You follow mostly stone paths and be rewarded with outstanding views of the Picos de Europas and down to the Cares River. A challenging first day but well worth the effort.

Walk: 9.5km, 5 hrs, 650m ascent, 650m descent

Overnight: Hotel La Rivera

DAY 3

Walk from Tielve to Sotres

After a short 20 min transfer, you walk from Tielve, one of the most authentic villages of Cabrales onto Valfríu where you can sample the local blue cheese, Queso de Cabrales. Walking through old beech woods and streams you reach an elevation of 1240m , then down to Sotres one of the highest villages in the Picos de Europas. Sotres is an agricultural village where they famously mature Queso de Cabrales in the limestone caves which are abundant in the local area.

Walk: 9km, 4 hrs, 575m ascent, 250m descent

Overnight: Sotres Hotel

Tranquil surroundings with great traditional cuisine. It has spacious and comfortable bedrooms.

In the evening head down to the restaurant and enjoy some wholesome stew, freshly prepared from local ingredients or wander to the local inn and have a chat with the villagers.

DAY 4

Circular Walk to Ándara, Eastern Massif

A day of contrasts awaits you. Firstly, a steep ascent via a disused mining track and rocky paths. You will be rewarded with impressive views of a limestone peak before following cattle trails through woods, heather and pastures back to Sotres. Take time to explore the moon-like landscape and observe vultures and eagles soaring high above. Views of The Bay of Biscay can be seen on clear days.

Walk: 13km, 5 hrs, 630m ascent, 895m descent.

Overnight: Sotres Hotel

DAY 5

Ascent to Vega de Urriellu

A spectacular  walk takes you right into the heart of the Picos de Europas. At the foot of Picu Urriellu (2,519m) you will be at the Vega de Urriellu a small refuge hut. The refuge is well stocked with drinks and snacks which are brought up by horseback each day from Pandébano. The walk takes you through meadows up to the Collado Pandebano (1240m) before a steep ascent to the refuge. Lunar landscapes will compliment your walk as you ascend. Truly beautiful!

Walk: 17kms, 6.5 hrs, 1005m ascent, 1120 descent.

Overnight: Sotres Hotel

DAY 6

Circular walk to Áliva

Inspiring limestone walls of the Central and Eastern Massifs and a magnificent glacial valley keep you company as you wind on up to Áliva. Take a rest at the Refugio de Aliva and sit back and absorb the surrounding scenery before returning to Sotres.

Walk: 18 km, 6.5 hrs, 755m ascent, 635m descent.

Overnight: Sotres Hotel

DAY 7

Walk to Arenas de Cabrales

You start your day descending along an ancient footpath arriving at Bulnes, an isolated village only accessible by foot or more recently, funicular railway. From Bulnes you can take the funicular to Poncebos or continue on foot to the spectacular Texu Gorge. Alternatively, walk the famous mile-deep Cares Gorge with the village of Caín at it’s head.

Walk: 12.5 km, 6 hrs, 335m ascent, 950m descent

Overnight: Hotel La Rivera

DAY 8

Departure Day

Transfers are available from the hotel to your chosen airports. These must be booked in advance, please contact us for details.

Grade & Fitness

This walking tour is graded Moderate. Walks of 4  -  6 hours and there is an ascent/descent of between 550m to 1005m. The hike covers varied terrain following jeep tracks, wide paths, narrow footpaths and animal trails with some steep ascents or descents. You will walk on gravel, loose rock, grass and dirt. When wet, paths may be muddy and slippery.

Navigation

The routes on this trip are generally marked but this can be sketchy in places and you will need to follow the route notes and maps supplied. 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.

Availability

 This trip is available from the 8th April to the 31st October. The best time for walking in the Picos de Europa National Park is July to September

Accommodation

We specifically select your accommodation to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food.  We aim to give you an authentic experience and use local family run accommodations.

Alternate accommodation

During high season, you might be booked into a different accommodation which is not listed in the description, and the start or end of some of your walking routes may be slightly altered. Any alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard as those described.

Single Rooms

If you require single rooms  within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.   

Solo Walkers

This holiday is available for solo walkers but we would recommend that you are experienced in walking and navigating alone. If you are travelling solo the holiday is slightly more expensive as some costs are not shared.

Meals

A delicious breakfast is included at the Arenas de Cabrales and the Sotres Hotel each morning and 4 dinners whilst at the Sotres Hotel.  The accommodations are happy to provide a packed lunch - this should be requested on arrival. Or you can pick up lunch in the village or stop along the trail.  Your route notes have details for each day.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.

Getting to Arenas de Cabrales

From Bilbao Airport - Take a bus or taxi (Approx 25€)to the centre of Bilbao. From Bilbao bus station take a bus to Unquera (2.5 to 3hrs). From Unquera you take a taxi to Arenas de Cabrales (45mins).

From Oviedo Airport - Take a bus or taxi to the centre of Oviedo (45mins). From Oviedo bus station take the bus to Unquera (2 hrs). From Unquera you take a taxi to Arenas de Cabrales (45mins).

From Santander Airport - Take a bus or taxi to the centre of Santander (15mins). From Santander bus station take the bus to Unquera (1hr 20mins). From Unquera take a taxi to Arenas de Cabrales (45 mins).

To Airports - There are ample bus services to the airports. A very useful website is www.alsa.es. Please bear in mind that services at the weekend are less frequent. If you have a very early flight it’s advisable to stay in the city prior to your flight the night before.

For further information please refer to our travel blog

Frequently Asked Questions

We are often asked the following questions and I hope that you will find the answers useful. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further queries.

How fit do I need to be?

The walking is graded moderate so you will enjoy the holiday more if you already enjoy an active lifestyle.  Most of the paths are easy to follow. The walks are between 4 & 6 hours each day with varying ascents and descents.

Which is the best airport to fly to?

You have a choice of 3 different airports in Spain. Santander is the closest followed by Oviedo then Bilbao. All three airports are linked to Arenas de Cabrales by bus and train. For further information see our travel blog.

How far in advance do I need to book?

We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as this holiday is extremely popular.  Please note you can start this holiday on any day of the week between April and October.   You will find up to date availability on our website and we will always try and accommodate your plans.

What personal equipment do I need?

You will need good walking shoes/boots, comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack, warm clothing in the early/late part of the year and hats etc during the summer. We supply a detailed packing list with your information pack.  

When is the best time of year?

The best months for walking are in the summer months between June and September when the wild flowers are in bloom and the weather is fair.  However we do offer this holiday between the months of April and October, so any time during this period will be good for walking.

This holiday is available to start any day of the week between 8th April - 31st October . To make a provisional reservation select "Book". Option & Extension prices will be displayed as part of the booking process.

Because every holiday we book is unique availability changes from day to day and our booking process works as follows:

• You provisionally book the tour/s you are interested in on your preferred dates and pay a 20% deposit online or by phone.
• We confirm availability and book all your accommodation and options and send final confirmation as soon as everything is confirmed (max 5 working days).
• If we are unable to accommodate you on your confirmed dates/tour or an alternative of your choice your deposit is fully refunded.