On foot in the Picos de Europa
Amazing Hiking in the Picos De Europa
This short break takes us into the rugged and isolated region of Asturias in 'Green Spain'. We take a cable car high into the massif to begin our walk, follow glacial valleys, roam old pack-horse trails and cross Roman bridges. We enter the unspoilt and near-primeval landscapes of the Central Massif. Here, we hike to the base of the rust-coloured sugarloaf of the Naranjo de Bulnes.
FUENTE DE & THE ASCENT INTO THE SKY
We start by taking a cable-car 1000m above the valley floor to a land of frost-shattered rock and soaring limestone peaks - the views are tremendous. From this vantage point we descend down to the verdant lower pastures. Following an immense U-shaped valley we travel to the hamlet of Sotres, our base for the next 5 nights.
SOTRES & THE NARANJO DE BULNES
After (perhaps) sampling the region's speciality - 'moving' cheese! - we set out on foot for the uninhabited plateau of the Massif de Los Urrieles. We hike through flower-filled meadows and past freshwater springs to a majada (alpine pasture) below the giant monolith of the Naranjo de Bulnes (2519m) - the 'trademark' of the Picos. The energetic can walk further and explore the karstic moonscape.
GARGANTA DEL URDON & THE CARES GORGE
We hike into the “Garganta del Urdonâ€, one of the Picos most impressive valleys, taking an old miners trail that zig-zags down from Tresviso. A highlight is our walk along a spectacular path carved into the cliff face through the dramatic chasm of the Garganta de Cares before returning to Sotres.
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Itinerary / Highlights
Among the many highlights featured on this trip we particularly mention:FUENTE DE
Cable car into the Picos.
PICOS TREKKING
6 days exploring the range.
EL NARANJO DE BULNES
Amazing monolith.
CARES GORGE
One of the most spectacular in Europe.
DAY 1. SUNDAY. JOIN TOUR BILBAO AIRPORT; DRIVE TO ESPINAMA
Arrive at Bilbao airport and transfer to the hotel in Espinama. Leaving Bilbao behind us we head into the Cordillera Cantabrica. Standing on the river Nevandi at the southern edge of the Picos, Espinama makes an excellent base to prepare for our walk into the Central Massif. This once isolated village is surrounded by meadows and woods, dominated by the imposing karst peaks.
We stay in a small family run posada.
DAY 2. DRIVE TO FUENTE DE; CABLE CAR TO UPPER STATION; WALK TO ESPINAMA
We drive a short distance (4 kms) to Fuente De, nestling in a steep sided valley located at 1000m. The cable car whisks us up 900m & the views are already outstanding. Sharp ice shattered rocks and scree surround us as we hike by the Canal de San Luis to the top of Pico La Padierna (2319m).
From here we can clearly see the meadows of Vega de Liordes, our destination for the day. As we descend on our way down we hope to see Rebecos. Crossing the Majada de Pedevejo, we follow a track which winds it way back to our base at Espinama (900m) (approx 6 hours walking) . In the evening we recommend a visit to a sidreria for a draught of the Asturian speciality & Sidra.
DAY 3. WALK VIA MAJADA DE IGUEDRI & PUERTOS DE ALIVA TO SOTRES
We strike north, taking a track leading through farms and fields & a stiff 300m ascent to the Iguerdi pass, our route now is more moderate as we reach the Puertos De Aliva, the top of the pass framed by massif cliffs. From here an enormous U-shaped valleys extends beneath us, the tiny chapel of Ermita de la Sanctuaria de Avila giving us an idea of scale of this dramatic landscape.
We follow the valley bottom, the product of massive glaciers from long ago, running parallel to the Rio Duje. Our base for the next 5 nights lies above us in Sotres, at 1045m it is the highest inhabited village in the Picos (approx 6 hours walking). Our hotel has been recently renovated but retains its tradition character.
Sample the delights of Asturian gastronomy, relax in the bar or sit down beside the fire in the cosy lounge. The village of Sotres is in the heart of the Picos National Park & beside its splendid location, this traditional settlement is home to Cabrales cheese, famous amongst connoisseurs worldwide.
DAY 4. IN SOTRES; WALK IN THE AREA
We drive the short distance down to the collection of red-roofed buildings known as Invernales de Cabao and cross the river. Then, ascending along a series of switch-backs, we gain height quickly to reach a viewpoint looking back towards Sotres. The track levels out now, ascending more gradually onto a kind of plateau. Here stands the tiny hamlet of Pandebano, where, in AD718, a battle took place between the Visigothic Christians and the remnants of a somewhat depleted Moorish army.
Leaving our vehicle, we walk up to a saddle, where the huge monolith of the Naranjo de Bulnes (Pico Urriello 2519m) comes into view. Rearing straight up from the surrounding rockscape, this rust-coloured mountain is the ‘trademark' of the Picos. We retrace our steps to Pandebano where our transport awaits us to return to our hotel. (approx 6 hours walking).
DAY 5. WALK VIA TREVISO TO BALCON DE PILATOS; DRIVE TO SOTRES
We take a trail up to the Antesoles pass and descend to the hamlet of Treviso. From here we descend to Balcon de Pilatos on an old mining track which zig-zags into the Garganta (gorge) del Urdon & one of the wildest gorges in the area.
This spectacular path was used to transport cheese by donkey down to the road head below & vultures are frequently seen from the 2 natural balconies en route. Our route is carved into the cliff face and takes us to the fast-flowing river beneath us. From here our transport returns us to Sotres (approx 6 hours walking). The remainder of the day is free to relax.
DAY 6. DRIVE TO PUENTE PONCEBOS; WALK THE CARES GORGE TO CAIN AND BACK; DRIVE TO SOTRES
This morning we drive down through Alpine scenery to Puente Poncebos at 218m. 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 1000m deep and some 12km long. 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.
This is one of the highlights of any visit to northern Spain and is a six hour round trip on foot, although walkers can turn back at any point and return to Poncebos where there are places to eat and drink. Finally, we return by vehicle to Sotres for a well-earned rest. (7-8 hours walk).
DAY 7. DRIVE TO LA CABALLAR; WALK TO ARENAS DE CABRALES VIA COLLADA ENTREJANO; DRIVE TO SOTRES
A short drive takes us to the start of today's walk, our path leading to the Majada de Tobaos & from here there are wonderful views of the Pico de Naranjo massif. We descend to a rugged valley and follow the old Roman road which finishes in the village of Arenas de Cabrales. We have time to explore before returning to Sotres for our final evening.
DAY 8. SUNDAY. DRIVE TO BILBAO AIRPORT
We leave the hotel very early in the morning for our 3 hour drive to Bilbao airport, where our tour ends.
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