Picos de Europa hiking

Bilbao to Espinama.

In the midst of the imposing verticality and idyllic scenery of the mountains of Picos de Europa National Park lies Espinama, small town's famous cableway. Espinama is a gateway to magical forests, mountain slopes and scenic overlooks that make up a natural paradise of incomparable beauty and a magnificent way to recharge after returning from an excursion in the area.

Fuente Dé - Mirador del Cable - Collado Jermoso (mountain hut).

20 km Circular route. Optional get on the Cable-cabin to save the very first step 700 m height.

The starting point of this magnificent week will be Fuente Dé. From there we’ll hike to the Collado Jermoso Refuge, the oldest hut in Picos de Europa located in a really beautiful place in front of the Torre del Friero. We could climb La Padiorna peak. Enjoy stunning views down the forested Liebana Valley and ahead to the high limestone cliffs. The final descent to Fuente Dé can be done by walking on Liordes valley.

Fuente Dé - Mirador del Cable - Cabaña Verónica - Horcajos Rojos.

24 km. Optional ascent to Tesorero peak or Peña Vieja peak 2619 m height. Circular route.

On day 3, we walk 24 km circular to reach Cabaña Verónica where we have lunch at . It’s a curious refuge built from the remains of an aircraft carrier. Our next goal day will be to ascend to Peña Vieja peak through the Horcados Rojos. At 2619m, the summit of Peña Vieja are the highest point we reach during the week. The top offers fantastic views of the Central and Eastern Massifs and is a fantastic icing on the cake of the day.

Ascent to Tresviso village.

12 km.Return by the same way.

One of the most impressive ways of Los Picos de Europa by the slope that runs, about 800 m. With views to the Gorge of la Hermida and the Eastern massif or Andara. We start this morning with a short drive to Urdón from where we start our walk at 300 m. We follow old shepherds' paths up to Treviso where we will stop for a lunch break en route. After lunch we will continue down the Balcon de Pilatos to Urdon.

Tresviso was trapped by snow for a month during winter 2015: “For the residents of Tresviso the isolation has taken them back to the time when the walls of snow were a yearly occurrence” “Every time the villagers hear the sound of the helicopter approaching through the snow-packed mountains, they breathe of relief”.

Garganta del Río Cares.

22 km. Return by the same way.

This morning we drive down through Alpine scenery to Puente Poncebos at 218 m. Here the medieval pack horse bridge spans the Cares river. This marks the starting point for the walk through the dramatic gorge of the Garganta del Cares - a cleft over 1000 m deep and some 11 km long.

The classic Cares Gorge has been described as the jewel in the crown of Spanish hiking. For 12 km, the engineered path has been blasted into the rock face. Originally built in the 1940s as part of a hydroelectric scheme, it is now one of the most popular walks in Spain. The path literally cuts into the cliffs in places; only with the aid of tunnels and bridges is it possible to traverse its entire length.The walk is relatively flat with a gradual ascent of just 350m from Puente Poncebos to Cain.

Poncebos-Bulnes-Vega Urriello mountain hut.

18 km.Naranjo de Bulnes. Circular.

A spectacular walk takes you right into the heart of the Picos de Europa. First to Bulnes, small mountain village nestles in a deep valley of the central massif, and can be reached by funicular railway from Poncebos. Its only communications to the exterior used to be old donkey tracks until 2001, when a funicular railway was constructed. On the view, upwards, the

Naranjo de Bulnes (Picu Urriellu 2,519m)

, rearing straight up from the surrounding rockscape, this rust-coloured mountain is the famous iconic image of the Picos. We walk up to the base where there is a refuge, well stocked with drinks and snacks. We retrace our steps to Pandebano and finally again reach Poncebos.

Llanes and Bufones de Prias.

14 km.

Only a short distance from the beach, these bufones are one of the most spectacular formations to be found in limestone cliffs. They are created in the cliffs next to the sea via little cracks in the limestone rock. The bufones comprise a cave or chamber in the rock that leads vertically upwards and here, under great pressure, seawater and air are expelled, due to the force of the tide. As a result howling jets of water shoot up to 30 metres in the air, a feature unique to this part of the coast.

Transfer to Airport connection / Bilbao / train station.

Farewell.