Picos de Europa to the Coast

We’ve handpicked some of the gentler, more accessible walks in the striking Picos, so anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can join. That said, it’s a mountainous region, so expect some rocky paths (they can get a bit slippery when wet!) and the occasional steep drop-off that’ll test your balance and head for heights.

Two of the walks are a little more on the challenging side. First up is the iconic Cares Gorge walk—worth every step, but it does include a significant ascent. If that sounds like a bit much, no problem! You can always turn back partway, as most of the climb happens early on. For those with a touch of vertigo, we’ve thought of you too. You can opt for an alternative plan: travel with your luggage to Arenas de Cabrales and enjoy a gentler (and equally lovely) loop walk instead.

The second tougher option is on Day 3, where you can choose to take on the summit of Horcados Rojos. It’s an optional detour that shifts the day from “moderate” to “moderately strenuous”.

Before your tour, we recommend walking regularly and incorporating some hilly terrain into your routine. Be sure to check the daily distances and elevation changes outlined in your itinerary.

The routes take you across diverse terrain, including animal tracks, wide trails, and narrow footpaths, with some more challenging elevation changes along the way. Expect gravel, loose rocks, grass, and dirt paths, which can become muddy and slippery when wet. There are a few exposed sections that may be unsuitable for those with vertigo.

Stream Crossings: On this trail, you may encounter areas where the path crosses streams or dry streambeds. In most cases, you won’t find bridges, as these streams are typically shallow enough to cross with sturdy boots or by stepping on stones. However, in spring and autumn, water levels may rise, requiring you to remove your boots and wade through ankle-deep or slightly higher water. Avoid wading if the water is above knee level, as it can be unsafe.

Stepping stones, while convenient, can be slippery, so proceed with caution. Trekking poles are highly recommended for added balance and stability. In many cases, walking directly on the streambed is safer than stepping on wet, mossy, or muddy stones. Always take care and assess the conditions before crossing.

This tour is graded easy to moderate overall, with a couple of days rated more challenging that come with shorter or alternative options if you'd prefer. Within the tour, individual days may vary in difficulty - some might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

Accommodation is specifically selected to make the most of your stay, offering a warm welcome, traditional hospitality and delicious local food throughout. We'll always try to use the hotels detailed in your itinerary, but if these aren't available we'll let you know and book an alternative of a similar standard when confirming your booking.

Unfortunately, this is not available to solo travelers. We can, however, offer single rooms if you are traveling with others. These are available for a supplement.

A hearty breakfast is included each morning, along with a handful of dinners at hotels along the way. If your usual dinner stop isn't available, we'll arrange an alternative of a similar standard (with a small discount where relevant) - for example, one hotel's restaurant is closed on Tuesdays, in which case a transfer to a nearby town for your evening meal is arranged instead. Your accommodations are happy to provide a packed lunch if requested on arrival, or you can pick up lunch in the villages or along the trail - your route notes have details for each day.

This tour is available to start any day of the week between the beginning of May and the end of October. This is when the weather is most comfortable for mountain walking, though sudden mists are common and usually burn off by midday. Because the mountains are so close to the coast here, the weather can change suddenly, with sudden rain showers or even snow possible at any time of year - so come prepared with waterproof gear and plenty of sunscreen. We'd also recommend checking the daily forecast while you're out there, and taking extra care when crossing streams, which can fill up during spring and autumn.

Your bags are transferred between accommodations on the days you change location, and moved on to your next overnight stop. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

The routes on this tour are generally waymarked, though signage can be unclear at times.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Getting to the start
This tour starts in Tama, and an included transfer will pick you up there. Tama is near Unquera in the Asturias region, reachable from two main airports.

From Bilbao Airport, take a bus or taxi (around 25 euros) to the centre of Bilbao, then a bus from Bilbao bus station to Unquera (2.5 to 3 hours). Vueling flies here from the UK, and you can also connect via European hubs with airlines such as KLM and Air France.

From Santander Airport, take a bus or taxi to the centre of Santander (around 15 minutes), then a bus from Santander bus station to Unquera (1 hour 20 minutes).

Macs Adventure can also arrange a private transfer directly to Tama from either Bilbao or Santander Airport - please ask for prices if you're interested.

Getting from the end
Take one of the regular buses to nearby Llanes (around 20 minutes). From Llanes there are regular buses on to Santander (2 hours), Asturias (3 hours) or Bilbao Airport (4 hours 15 minutes).

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport.

The Picos de Europa are popular, so it's worth booking as soon as your plans are confirmed to secure your preferred accommodation and dates. If you're interested, a cheese factory visit and tasting session can also be arranged locally during your stay - just ask for details.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation