Traverse of the Picos de Europa Map and Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrive 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 and other UK and European airports. Arenas de Cabrales is a charming village nestled in the foothills of the Picos. 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 night 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: From Poncebos or Tielve to Sotres

Ascent on foot or by funicular railway to reach the village of Bulnes, nestled among peaks with no road access. You then continue on up, following an ancient cobbled footpath, to gorgeous green pastures and the village of Sotres (elevation 1050m). If this 1200m ascent seems too much for a first day, you can do the walk from Tielve and start at 700m).

Walk: 12/9km, 5/4 hrs1100/400m Ascent, 355m Descent,

Overnight: Sotres Hotel boasts tranquil surroundings with traditional cuisine. It has spacious and comfortable bedrooms and in the evening you can head down to the restaurant and enjoy some wholesome stew, freshly prepared from local ingredients.

DAY 3: Circular walk in the Eastern Massif

Enjoy a circular walk through the Eastern Massif, an area exploited by mining industries in the 19th century. A limestone landscape of sharp ridges, deep depressions and bottomless shafts. Brightly coloured alpine flora among the rocks. You have a good chance of seeing chamois, vultures and different types of eagles. Several options to shorten or extend your walk.

Walk: 12km, 5 hrs, 630m ascent, 935m descent

Overnight: Sotres Hotel

DAY 4: From Sotres to Vega de Urriellu

Ascent to the spectacularly located Vega de Urriellu mountain refuge, located at 2000 m at the foot of the silhouette of Picu Urriellu, right in the heart of the Central Massif. You take just your sleeping sheet and a few things to spend one night at the refuge. The rest of your luggage is transported to your next accommodation.

Walk: 11km, 6hrs, 1120m ascent, 165m descent.

Overnight: Refugio Vega de Urriellu

DAY 5: Across the Central Massif to Espinama

You completely traverse the Macizo Central, crossing the Jou Sin Tierra, one of the deepest and widest natural depressions (dolines) in the Picos. You then ascend to a pass at 2350m moving through a truly impressive moonlike landscape to the southern edge of the massif. Descent by cable car and on to Espinama to spend the night.

Walk: 12/23km, 6/8hrs, 575/635m ascent, 750/1100m descent

Overnight: Hostal Nevandi, Espinama

DAY 6: Walks on the South Side of the Picos

Today you can be as active or lazy as you wish, you’ve earned it. Opt for a day of rest, or do a spectacular circular walk which goes from Fuente Dé (1100m), along a jeep track to Caben Remoña (1750m). From there, an steep old mining path leads you up in zigzags to the lovely Vega de Liordes (2100m).

Walk: 11/10km, 5/6hrs, 500/1000 ascent/descent

Overnight: Hostal Nevandi, Espinama

DAY 7: From Espinama to Treviño

After several strenuous days, you do an easier walk through quiet beech woods from Espinama to your rural accommodation in Treviño, an authentic 17th century farmhouse. Or optional rest day (travel with the luggage).

Walk: 10.5km, 4hrs, 600m ascent, 1600m descent

Overnight: La Casona de Treviño

DAY 8: From Treviño to Llánaves

You start off along a jeep track going through woods and high meadows to Collado de Llesba (1650 m). You then have the option of ascending Pico Coriscao (2234m) to enjoy excellent views of the Picos. At the end of the day, you walk down over grassy slopes to Llanaves de la Reina.

Walk: 15km, 6hrs, 930m ascent, 320m descent

Overnight: Hotel San Glorio, Llánaves

DAY 9: “La Tierra de la Reina”

Your walk today explores the vast open region on the south side of the Picos, where bears and wolves still successfully manage to hide out from humans. Here you will admire strange conglomerate rock and totally different flora, and traverse the former domains of the queen of Spain passing nearly abandoned villages and huge grazing lands which were once summer residence for huge herds of sheep. Walk: 22/27km, 8/9hrs, 850m ascent, 1100 descent Overnight: Hotel Tierra de la Reina, Boca de Huérgano

DAY 10: Via Oseja to Soto de Sajambre

Transfer to Pontón Pass (1450m) for a 4-hour walk, mainly through dense beech woods, down to the village of Oseja, then up again to your cozy hostel in Soto de Sajambre. If you are feeling a bit tired from yesterday’s walk, you can shorten the route by riding to Oseja (1,5hrs to walk) or rest today, and ride with the luggage transport.

Walk: 5/13km, 2/4.5hrs, 650m ascent, 300m descent

Overnight: Hotel Peña Santa, Soto de Sajambre

DAY 11: The Archdeacon’s Trail

Today you will enjoy the most wonderful walk along the Senda del Arcediano, a historical footpath created by an enlightened archdeacon in the 17th century. You first walk up to Collado de Beza (1495m) to then descend through quiet summer meadows and open beech woods, enjoying pastoral scenes on the way. At the end of the route, you can take a taxi from Amieva or continue along a partly surfaced track right to the door of your typical rural pension in Santillan.

Walk: 12/22km, 5/8hrs, 485/625m ascent, 850/1250m descent.

Overnight: Hotel Casa Remigio, Santillán

DAY 12: Onward travel

We can arrange taxi transfers to the closest town to connect with public transport or to the airport (Oviedo, 1h20, Santander, 2h00 or Bilbao 3h30). Additional Nights and Extensions We can add on extra nights and tailor make any itinerary to suit.