A Local’s Guide to the Picos de Europa National Park
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As it happens with anything that is worth knowing, there are quite a lot of stories about where the name of Picos de Europa comes from. Some say the title of “Peaks of Europe” - which would be its English translation - was given to this area by sailors returning to Europe from America, since these mountains of up to 8,000 feet were the first glimpse of the European continent that they saw from the ocean.
Others claim the name derives from central European pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago, who were surprised by the mountains’ steep summits and similarity to the Swiss Alps.
Regardless of where the name comes from, the central conclusion remains unchanged - the Picos de Europa are so named because they are one of the most impressive mountain ranges that southern Europe has to offer.
This awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping chain of summits rising in the regions of Asturias, Cantabria, and León, and just 18 kilometers away from the Cantabrian Sea in the most northern areas of the park, is the most visited national park in mainland Spain.
The reason behind that success is crystal clear: the Picos de Europa are a natural playground that offer something for every type of adventurer: hikers, food-lovers, water sport fanatics, bikepackers, history seekers, and simply anyone after pretty landscapes and great views will find plenty to keep them entertained.
Here, in a land of mountains, forests, lakes & rivers, and tiny, picturesque villages, you can feel the wildness, remoteness, and magic that northern Spain is known for.
So, if you’re ready to venture in the wild, why don’t you join me on a little hike as we delve deep into the park?
Table of Contents
Where are the Picos de Europa?
The Picos de Europa is a national park located in the north of Spain, spread out over three regions: the coastal regions of Asturias and Cantabria, plus the inland region of León. Of course, as this is not an enclosed space with entrance gates, ticketing fees, or anything like that, the borders are not neatly defined and exactly where the park begins and ends isn’t especially important or easy to decipher.
Even so, we can say that the Cantabrian Sea lies as the northern limit of the park, since it’s there that the mountains rise up, just a few kilometers inland. On the east and west, the boundaries are two rivers - the Sella on the western side, and the Deva on the eastern end. And the southern border of the Picos, lying in the area of Riaño, is what divides these mountains from the Spanish Meseta (plateau) - where everything becomes drier, sunnier, and flatter.
There are two towns that we usually consider to be the gateways or “capitals” of the national park - Cangas de Onís in the west, and Potes in the east. Generally, people coming from places like Gijón and Oviedo will enter the park from Cangas de Onís, while those coming from east (cities like Santander, Bilbao, or San Sebastián) will typically arrive through Potes.
Why visit
One of the two famed “Lakes of Covadonga”
As I’ve just mentioned, the Picos de Europa are known for their diversity of attractions and ability to offer something to all types of visitors, no matter what they’re after.
Are you into biking? Well, then I offer you the Lagos de Covadonga, the most iconic climb in the history of Spanish cycling. A climb that starts right from the Holy Cave of Covadonga, whose sanctuary is the place where Spain was born in 722 - so there you have, also, some history to enjoy.
More interested in local food? Well, you’re in luck, because the Asturian villages of Cabrales hold probably the most famous cheese in the Iberian Peninsula - as well as some typical Asturian and Cantabrian dishes like fabada, cocido liebaniego, and the decadent cachopo, whose calories you’ll have to work hard to burn off.
Of course, that’s no problem here, considering that fabulous hiking trails weave their way all throughout this park, offering endless miles of some of the best trekking in Spain.
So, rather than asking “why visit the Picos de Europa”, I think the tougher question is whether you can find any reasons not to come…
Weather and when to visit
Riaño Lake in the southern end of the Picos de Europa. Photo: Machovaada, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Modified
In my opinion, the beginning or end of summer, meaning June or September, is the best time to visit the park. If you can’t make it during those months, July and August are also good options that will essentially guarantee solid weather.
Summer
I always recommend a summertime visit because this is the warmest, driest, and sunniest time of year in northern Spain, an area that is known for its abundant rainfall and frequent grey skies throughout the rest of the year. If you’re coming to the park to hike, cycle, or just enjoy the outdoors, this is unquestionably the ideal time of year.
And while the intense summer heat is a big issue elsewhere in Spain, the north of the country sees much more moderate temperatures during this season, so while it will be warm-to-hot, you’ll rarely have to contend with sweltering days.
Now, while the weather is good all throughout the summer, I especially recommend June and September because these two months are much quieter than July and August, so you’ll have nice weather and can avoid the “crowds”. June also has the longest days of the year, with daylight hours extending until quite late, letting you maximize your time exploring.
July and August are when Spaniards take their summer holiday, so you’ll find lots of domestic travelers in the park during those months. The most popular trails and towns can get pretty crowded during this time, but there are always still plenty of quieter areas.
Spring and Fall
Spring and fall are much less predictable in terms of weather, with rain becoming much more frequent, and there are also fewer daylight hours, meaning you’ll have to plan a bit better and will have tighter timelines for hikes. The scenery is gorgeous in both seasons though, as the deciduous forests of oaks, beeches, and ash trees show their most marvelous face during the fall, giving the mountains a beautiful autumnal palette.
Meanwhile, the spring is green and lush, with wildflowers coming into bloom. The highest peaks will almost certainly still have snow on them, which can be a plus or a negative depending on how extreme you’re looking to get, and you will of course need to be prepared for muddy trails.
During both seasons, the afternoons will be pleasantly warm, but mornings and evenings can be pretty chilly.
Winter
And the winter…well, the winter in the Picos de Europa is cold, rainy, probably snowy, and the days are far shorter than during the rest of the year - sunset, in fact, might take place by as early as 5:00 PM. However, you can enjoy skiing in the humble San Lorenzo Station, or try wild alpinist adventures elsewhere in the snowy Picos.
The mountains and park are of course lovely when blanketed with snow, and this is a great time to warm yourself up with rich and calorie-heavy Asturian and Cantabrian dishes like the already mentioned fabada, or the cocido liebaniego (a hearty stew of chickpeas, potatoes, collard greens, and various meats). Sitting beside a fire while dipping into a bowl is a pretty unbeatable experience.
How long to spend in the park
Assuming you’re fitting the Picos de Europa into a larger trip, I think three days is the perfect amount of time to set aside for the park. This gives you a chance to see some different areas and landscapes, while making time for hikes and/or bike rides, and exploring the villages and historic landmarks (of which there are a few). Basically, 3 days allows for a solid and varied introduction to the park, enjoying a bit of everything that makes it so special.
As for an itinerary, for your first day I would suggest starting on the eastern side of the national park, where you can set off on what is probably the most famous hike (and one of the best!) in the Iberian Peninsula - the Ruta del Cares. This is a superb 24-kilometer trail that runs along a narrow valley - which at times becomes a canyon - carved out by the Cares River. The views are varied and spectacular. An out-and-back hike, it will take the better part of the day, from 6-8 hours.
On your second day, take it easy and enjoy a more “hedonstic” side of park, indulging yourself with a day of feasting. To do this, head just a bit north to Cabrales, where you’ll find 9 little villages that are home to the famous Cabrales cheese, as well as many sidrerías, cider houses where traditional Asturian cider is sold along with very generous portions of homemade food. There’s also plenty of good hiking to be found here and incredibly clear rivers where you can go kayaking or just relax by the water.
For your third day, I think this is a nice to discover the historic side of the Picos, paying visit to the Holy Cave of Covadonga - the place dedicated to the Virgin Mary where, legend tells, the Catholic Reconquista of the Peninsula started back in the year 722. Not far from the cave is the Covadonga Sanctuary, as well as the stunningly gorgeous and high-altitude Covadonga Lakes, which I’m sure you’ve already seen photos of. The ascent to the lakes is an incredible climb that’s super popular with cyclists (you should do it!), but you can also drive up.
Where to base yourself
Looking out on the town of Potes. Photo: Photo: Jose Luis Filpo Cabana, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Modified
As I said above, the Picos de Europa is not an enclosed national park where you have to pay an entrance fee and leave every evening before it shuts its doors. Rather, here, you can stay in little villages within the boundaries of the park, from where you can basically start your hikes right from your bed.
That said, I think Cangas de Onís and Potes, two bigger towns, are the most obvious choice for the majority of visitors, since they have everything you need for your trip - from restaurants, hotels, and camping sites to easy access to hiking routs, bikeable roads, and places of cultural interest -.
Cangas de Onís is in the northwestern and Asturian side of the national park, while Potes lies on the opposite end of the park, in the northeastern and Cantabrian side. Both towns share many similarities, from their architecture, hearty mountain village fare, amazing views to the Picos, and good selection of accommodation.
However, if you want a deeper, wilder, and more “secluded in the mountains” experience, you should look into smaller towns like Sotres, Caín de Valdeón, or Fuente Dé. These are tucked away little mountain villages where you’ll feel completely removed from modern life and can forget all about your regular responsibilities and stresses.
A few things to be aware of
One of the best parts of visiting the Picos de Europa is that you don’t have to worry at all about entrance fees, tickets, permits or anything of the sort - if you’re coming from the United States and are expecting a Yellowstone or Yosemite-type experience, this is certainly not that. Here, you come and you leave anytime you like, and you arrive into the park from wherever the roads take you. You just need to follow the rules.
Typical “entrance points”
Even so, people typically arrive into the park from the north, as northern Spain’s population centers are mostly along the coast, and for foreign visitors, they’re typically traveling elsewhere around the north before coming here.
Probably the most spectacular entrance is the eastern road that goes through La Hermida Gorge, the only way to get to the village of Potes. Two of the other more usual entrances to the heart of the park are Arenas de Cabrales (in the north), and Cangas de Onís (to the northwest).
On the other hand, if you’re coming from the center of Spain (as anyone arriving straight from Madrid would be), you’ll probably enter the park through the town of Riaño, which lies all the way north on road N-625.
Parking
When it comes to parking, be aware that the main villages get really busy during the high season and finding parking in them can be a serious challenge. Similarly, parking at the most popular sights and trailheads will fill out early in the day, often requiring you to park fairly far away. You’re unlikely to
Amenities/services
Regarding restaurants, shops, and any other type of facilities, you can easily find them in villages like Potes, Cangas de Onís, or Arenas de Cabrales, located inside the national park but fully prepared to receive and equip the many visitors that come here every year.
Actually, both Potes and Cangas have a visitors center, where you can get specific and first-hand information about the weather, road conditions, accommodation, etc.
Finally, depending on the type of route or activities you’re considering - let’s say via ferrata, a kayaking trip through the Sella River, or a high-difficulty mountain route -, you might need the help of a local guide. But you can also find companies dedicated to this type of active tourism in the towns of Cangas and Potes.
Camping
Camping in the park is one of my absolute favorite things to do, but you need to be aware that this is not somewhere that you can camp freely. You will need to either reserve a spot at one of the dedicated campsites or set up your tent in the fields right outside some of the villages, where free camping is allowed.
What to see & do in the Picos de Europa
Here I give a list with the best places to see and best plans to carry out when you go to Picos de Europa. And remember - this is a national park where you can get a bit of everything, from history to sports to cuisine:
1. Go to the Covadonga Lakes
When any Spaniard with a bit of knowledge of this country thinks of the Picos de Europa, the first thing that comes to mind is the Covadonga Lakes - the popular name given to the twin mountain lakes of Enol and Ercina, located 1,134 meters above sea level and the perfect representation of a typical Picos de Europa landscape.
Surrounded by granitic peaks and semi-wild animals that graze in the adjacent land, the Covadonga lakes are the iconic symbol of this national park. During the high season for tourism, the road up to the lakes is closed, so you’ll probably have to take a public bus from Cangas de Onís to get to this astonishing, famed spot. It’s either that or…
Lago Enol, one of the two famed Covadonga Lakes. Photo: Zarateman, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Modified
2. Get ready for a climb and cycle your way up to the Covadonga Lakes
…train a lot with your bike before you come to the Picos de Europa, because the road that goes up to the Covadonga Lakes is open all year long for cyclists. But the ascent is not an easy one, far from it, so be prepared for a grueling climb. Internationally famous since the first time La Vuelta a España climbed this mountain back in 1983, the pass has become the ultimate connection between bicycling and the Picos de Europa.
The climb is 13.9 kilometers long and has an average slope of 6.92% - but some stretches go up to an average of 12% or even 13%, so yes, you better train properly before taking on this monster!
Cows on the road leading up to the Lakes of Covadonga. Photo:McBodes, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Modified
3. Visit the Holy Cave of Covadonga and the Basilica in Covadonga
When you’re in the area of Covadonga and you’ve already seen the lakes and and done your active pursuit (hiking or cycling), maybe it’s time for a bit of history. And that you have here in spades, since the most historic place in the Picos de Europa is just a few kilometers away: the Holy Cave of Covadonga.
Legend says that Pelayo, a nobleman from the area, and his Christian warriors started the Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula against the Muslim armies right here back in 722. And although it took seven more centuries to be finished, this cave has remained an important symbol of the war.
Supposedly, the Virgin Mary helped the Christian warriors win the battle here despite the odds being heavily against them, but you don’t have to believe that to enjoy this wonderful and secluded place. After checking out the cave, you should make a visit to the Basilica, located back down in the town of Covadonga.
The chapel and cave of Our Lady of Covadonga. Photo: Cardoso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Basilica de Santa Maria la Real de Covadonga (in Covadonga)
4. Naranjo de Bulnes peak
The Naranjo de Bulnes or Pico Urriellu is also a legend - but, in this case, a definitively true one. Although it’s not the highest peak in the Picos de Europa, this is indisputably its most well-known summit. Located a few kilometers from the tiny village of Bulnes, where cars aren’t even allowed (!), Pico Urriellu was first climbed in 1904 by the aristocrat Pedro Pidal y Bernaldo de Quirós and a local shepherd named Gregorio Pérez Demaría.
Ever since, climbing Naranjo de Bulnes has become a proof of skill/class among Spanish alpinists and climbers. If you want to try it, you’d better come very well prepared. If not, a simple walk from the town of Bulnes to the base of the peak will still give you a feel for its greatness.
Naranjo de Bulnes. Photo: Juan La Cruz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Modified
5. Paddle down the Sella River
Here you have one of the great “sporting” events in all of the Picos de Europa: the International Sella River Descent. The Sella is the Asturian river that marks the western frontier of the Picos de Europa, and every year on the Saturday after August 2nd, thousands of people flock to the river around the town of Arriondas (near to Cangas de Onís) to drop in and paddle down it. all the way to the Cantabrian Sea at the town of Ribadesella.
This is a serious race with professional competitors, but the vast majority of people are just here for the fun and excitement - drinking cider along the way and enjoying one of the most unique parties you can experience in Spain. If you’re not planning to come to the Picos that exact weekend, no worries: there are companies that will organize the trip down the river for you throughout the year - cider included.
Swimmers in the Sella River. Photo: Francis Warents, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Modified
6. Feast at El Abuelo restaurant in Cangas de Onís
So far in this guide, I’ve mentioned lots of active plans, which are of course most people’s focus when visiting the park, but long days of active pursuits need to be rewarded with some good meals, don’t they?! I think that’s especially true when you’re in Asturias, a region where you can feast like kings and queens on some of the heartiest and tastiest food in Spain.
Well, if you want my top recommendation for great meal, it will always be none other than El Abuelo Restaurant, right in the town of Cangas de Onís. Whatever it is you’ve done so far in your trip - climbing the Naranjo de Bulnes, descending the Sella River, walking half the Picos de Europa, or simply nothing -, this spot is the perfect place to recover from your efforts.
And make sure to try the house specialties: peas with ham, the Asturian fabada, and their incredible pote asturiano, the region’s famous stew that is packed full of ingredients and which has been feeding mountaineers for centuries.
7. Sample the cheese of Cabrales
Let’s continue with the food theme for a moment, because right from the center of the Picos de Europa, in secluded towns like Arenas de Cabrales, Sotres, and Tielve, you’ll find one of the most famous Spanish cheeses - the Cabrales cheese. Made from either unpasteurized cow’s milk or a blend of cow, goat, and sheep’s milk, the cheese is then aged for a few months in nearby caves, where the cold temperatures and humidity remain stable all year long.
The result of this rather particular aging process is a strong, acidic, almost blue cheese that is fairly similar to Gorgonzola and Roquefort. It’s certainly a strong taste, suitable for something coming straight from the heart of the mountains.
8. Ride the cable car from Fuente Dé
If you’ve seen the cable cars in San Francisco or Lisbon, you might think you already know what to expect from this one, but I have to warn you, they’re nothing alike, because what we’ve got in the Picos de Europa are high mountain lifts, rising hundreds of meters up, up, and up.
There’s a very nice one that takes you up to the town of Bulnes (which is unreachable by cars), but the most famous is the one from the tiny village of Fuente Dé, which goes all the way up to the highest peaks of the park’s mountains.
Located in the eastern side of the park in Cantabria, the Fuente Dé cable car covers a 753-meter vertical drop and a total length of 1,450 meters. Lots of people ride it just to enjoy the astonishing views during the ride and at the summit (which is at 6,000 feet), but there are also some incredible hiking routes that start from there and will take you to the tops of the tallest mountains in the park.
Looking down on Fuente Dé from the cable car. Photo: Juan Fernandez, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Modified
9. Drive through La Hermida Gorge
If you’re coming from the north, there is only one road that will take you up to the town of Potes, the “capital” of the northeastern side of the Picos. And you’re in luck, because that road - the N-621 - is one of the most jaw-dropping, striking, postcard-perfect roads in the whole Iberian Peninsula.
It runs straight through La Hermida Gorge, a canyon eroded by the Deva River on its way down from the mountains. Stretching for 21 kilometers, La Hermida is Spain’s longest canyon and the drive through it is filled with incredible scenery.
Of course, a drive is not the only way to enjoy the canyon, so trekkers can set off on its hiking trail, while even more adventurous folks can do the via ferrata that crosses it. La Hermida also holds some hot springs, as well as a pretty famous lookout, Santa Catalina.
A stretch of road in La Hermida gorge. Photo: Johan N, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Looking out at the gorge from the Santa Catalina lookout. Photo: Frobles, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Modified
10. Do the Ruta del Cares… by Jeep!
As I’ve already said and will expand on further in the hiking section of this guide below, there’s no hike in the Iberian Peninsula that can match the fame, beauty, and reputation of the Ruta del Cares. It is, beyond question, the most iconic route in the Picos de Europa.
But being a 21-kilometer trail, this trek is not for everyone, so we need an alterantive for those who can’t or just don’t want to walk that much.
That alternative is doing the Cares Route (or at least half of it) by car, in a Jeep. There are a few licensed companies that offer off-road routes in the area of Cares, so you can enjoy this beautiful area of the Picos without needing to do a strenuous hike.
A rocky and exposed stretch of the Ruta del Cares. Photo: Gabriel González, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
11. Dive into the quietness of the Valdeón area
The Picos de Europa is the second most visited national park in Spain - only behind Teide National Park in the Canary Islands, which shouldn’t even count because it feels like half of Germany is there! What this means is that at times, in particular during summer weekends, areas of the Picos can get a little bit unpleasantly busy, especially the places closest to the villages of Cangas de Onís and Potes.
What’s the solution, then? Well, if you venture to the southern side of the park, in the area that belongs to the region of León, you’ll quickly see the crowds rapidly disappear, all but vanishing. Here, the towns are more secluded and the mountains have that otherworldly, removed-from-modern-life feel. Tiny villages like Cordiñanes de Valdeón, Posada de Valdeón, or Prada de Valdeón are among the best choices if you’re looking for a truly remote experience.
The tiny village of Cordiñanes de Valdeón. Photo: ROSUROB, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mirador del Tombo, near Posada de Valdeón. Photo: Machovaada, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Modified
12. Be on the lookout for wildlife
Little shepherds’ villages still exist in the Picos de Europa, and herds of goats, sheep, and cows live semi-freely in the high prairies of the park, watched over by mastiffs that defend them from wolves’ attacks -mastiffs that you better make sure your dog doesn’t annoy, because your furry friend would have everything to lose.
Of course, there are also wild animals that live completely freely in these mountains. Endemic animals like the rebeco, a type of ram that is the king among the peaks of the Picos, majestic birds like the quebrantahuesos (“bone breaker”) - a vulture that gets its name from its practice of dropping bones from great heights to break them up so they can get at the marrow -, grey wolves, Cantabrian brown bears, wildcats, deer, eagles & falcons, and much, much more.
A rebeco, the undisputed king of the park. Photo: Davidfase, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
13. Spend a day in Potes
Along with the Asturian town of Cangas de Onís, Potes, located in the eastern and Cantabrian side of the park, is the other capital of the Picos de Europa. A tiny village with a population of about 1,200 people (but which swells to many times that size during the summer months), Potes is a quaint, pleasant town where you can still get a feel for what life in these mountains used to be like.
The perfect place to relax after a good hiking session, the town has lots of good restaurants, good bars, good hotels and camping spots, and “good” freezing cold river for anyone brave enough to dip into the icy mountain water.
The pretty town of Potes. Photo: Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Modified
14. Head to Riaño to see its marvelous lake
The village of Riaño, on the southern end of the park, is at the crossroads between the Spanish Central Plateau and the mountains that announce your arrival in the Picos. And nestled away in those Riaño mountains, you’ll find one of the most picturesque lakes in northern Spain - the Lake of Riaño.
I should note that this is actually a reservoir that was created in the 1980’s when the government decided to build a dam here. The flooding of the surrounding area actually caused the original village of Riaño to be completely submerged, so the town that you’ll see is a much more modern replacement. There are a number of things to see and do around here, including some good walking paths by the reservoir, boat trips on it, a hermitage, and one of the most scenic benches in all of Spain.
So get in your car and head south, reserve a camping spot or a hotel by the lake, and enjoy a day in unequalled natural surroundings.
Riaño Lake/Resrvoice. Photo: Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Modified
15. Enjoy the views from the lookout points
Given that this park has among the most impressive peaks, lakes, gorges, and rivers in Spain, it should come as no surprise that it also offers up fantastic lookout points basically everywhere you go. There are far too many to attempt to list even a fraction of them, but here are my four favorites:
Mirador del Pozo de la Oración: Located in the Cabrales area, it offers a splendid view of Pico Urriellu (also known as Naranjo de Bulnes), the most iconic peak in the park, rising up at the edge of a valley. An absolute must.
Mirador Collado de Llesba: The Pass of San Glorio is an ancient mountain pass that connects the Picos de Europa with the Spanish Plateau, and this lookout point right at Puerto de San Glorio is the perfect place to say hello or goodbye to the Picos.
Mirador de la Cruz de Priena: Do you remember the story of how Christian warriors defeated a Moorish army back in 722 to start the Reconquista? Well, from the lookout of Cruz de la Priena you’ll be able to look down on the secluded cave where it all again, as well as the sanctuary of Covadonga.
Mirador del Fitu: Although it’s not strictly within the park, with these amazing views, who cares about boundaries? This is the perfect place to understand just how close the Picos de Europa and the Cantabrian Sea are to one another.
The Monumento al Oso at the Mirador Collado de Llesba. Photo: Rodelar, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Modified
Some of my favorite hikes in the Picos de Europa
A stretch of trail on the Camino Vadiniense between Fuente Dé and Portilla de La Reina. Photo: Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Modified
The Picos de Europa are a paradise for hikers, and there are far too many trails here for me to give you anything approaching a comprehensive list. So, instead, I’ve recommended some of my favorite hikes below, organized from easiest to hardest.
Olla de San Vicente is a cyrstal-clear natural pool located a few kilometers away from Cangas de Onís, which you can visit via a pleasant walk along the Dobra River. About 6 kilometers round-trip, this easy hike is the perfect option on a hot summer day.
As I’ve already mentioned, the Covadonga Lakes are the undisputed symbol of this national park, so how could they not have their own hike? At 10 kilometers long but with an elevation gain of only 250 meters, the trail starts by the lakes’ parking sites and then circles them, before finally climbing a little hill to enjoy the views from above.
The Fuente Dé cable car is an incredible ride in and of itself, but it’s also the perfect way to get up to some easy hiking routes through the highest peaks in the park. After hopping on the lift and saving yourself a climb of almost 1000 meters, you can set off on the trail, which will take you to some of the best climbing spots in the park. And all with a limited effort: the route is less than 14 kilometers and not even 300 meters of elevation gain.
The most iconic, famous, and unmissable hiking route in the Iberian Peninsula. Period. A must-do for every hiking fan who comes here, this 24-kilometer out-and-back trail takes you past incredible scenery all the way through the gorge created by the Cares River.
Visit the base of Pico Urriellu
Rock climbing on the iconic Pico Urriellu/Naranjo de Bulnes is only doable for really serious climbers, but even if you’re not Alex Honnold, you can still visit the base of this massive peak, a symbol of Spanish climbing. The trail is 13 kilometers long and has 950 meters of elevation gain, so it’s definitely not an easy “walk in the woods”, but the panoramic views that await you are definitely worth the effort.
If you’re not a very seasoned mountain hiker, alpinist, or climber, you can (and probably should) skip this last recommendation. The Anillo Picos trail is a 7-day adventure, spanning 131 kilometers and winding all the way through the park. It’s an astonishingly beautiful route and will certainly be an unforgettable experience. If you don’t want to do the whole route (or don’t have the time), you can do sections of it as day hikes, but just be prepared for some legitimately difficult trekking.
More Spain travel info
For more advice on travel in Asturias and Northern Spain, check out some of our other guides and itineraries!
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