Guided Picos de Europa Walking Holiday

Make your own way to Bilbao. From either the Airport or Abando Rail Station, we then transfer you to the delightful Hotel Torrecerredo, our base in Arenas de Cabrales, a key gateway to the Picos de Europa National Park. This will be your ‘home from home’ for the first 4 nights. After a quick check-in, you can settle into your room before an evening welcome briefing and dinner in the restaurant. 

11 km, 300m ascent/descent
No trip to the Picos de Europa would be complete without doing this world-renowned classic. It is the signature walk of the range. This 1.5km-deep narrow canyon separates the western and central massifs, and is home to a route, which only exists because of a mind-boggling feat of engineering in the 1920s, when the water canal for the Poncebos hydroelectric power station was built.  The path follows an impressive ledge high above the river, offering constant views of the narrow valley. Our route is an ‘out and back’ covering about two-thirds of the impressively long gorge.

Shorter Route: 9.6 km, 570m ascent/descent | Longer Route: 11.8 km, 750m ascent/descent
Starting in open high meadows, we climb towards an old mining area and the Casetón de Ándara hut, once used by miners and now a small mountain refuge. From here there are far-reaching views towards the coast, and sometimes a chance to see the famous mar de nubes (sea of clouds). After reaching the hut, the day may continue with a circuit around Pico Mancondiú, or a shorter continuation to the small lake of Pozo de Ándara.

10 km, 390m ascent/descent
The twin lakes of Lago Enol and Lago Ercina are another ‘must-do’ of the Picos. After enjoying both lakes, we seek out the quieter trails of the surrounding landscapes. We have a few options here, which are shared and mulled over on the eve of this day out. Firstly, we could walk towards the Mirador del Rey and marvel at the western massif. Secondly, we could venture to Refugio Vega de Ario and gaze down on the enormity of the Cares Gorge. Finally, we can opt for ancient mule trails which traverse traditional majadas, verdant pastures where shepherds permanently watch over their flocks. If time permits, another option is the famous basilica and cave of Covadonga, where the Christians gained their first victory over the Moors in the 8th century.
(Today includes a 1hr. transfer each way and perhaps a local shuttle bus along the approach road to the lakes).

After breakfast, we check-out of Hotel Torrecerredo.  We then visit one of the traditional Cabrales cheese caves in Arenas, where renowned blue cheese is matured, culminating with a tasting of both Cabrales cheese and cider. We then make the scenic transfer to Fuente De, stopping in the vibrant medieval town of Potes, before the short ride to the welcoming Parador de Fuente De.

9 km (5.6 miles), 500m ascent/descent
The impressive Fuente De glacial cirque is the starting point of one of Europe’s most spectacular cable car rides, ascending 753m in under 4 minutes. It propels you to another of the range’s must-do hikes. This leisurely ramble first explores the Aliva upland pastures, where cattle roam and the historic Chalet Real, King Alfonso’s hunting lodge, proudly stands. A cuppa at the Aliva Refugio allows us to marvel at sweeping views. If time permits and the group is willing, we can include an exploration of the old mine workings from the days when minerals were heavily mined here.

8.5 km, 400m ascent/descent
A sublime walk, which introduces you to the idyllic, step-back-in-time character of the foothills, featuring sleepy hamlets dotted about the flower-rich upland pastures and pretty woodlands. This walk starts at the supremely quaint village of Mogrovejo and weaves its way between the hamlets of Redo and Tanarrio, through stunning meadows and forests, before passing beneath the high flanks of the Picos mountains, giving you a mindboggling close-up of imposing limestone cliffs, plus an exquisite view into the Liebana Valley. 

After breakfast, we transfer you back to Bilbao (Airport or Rail Station). This takes approx. 3hrs, so the earliest possible drop-off is at 1130. Please do not book flights departing before 1330.