8-day Picos de Europa Mountain Trek

Picos de Europa Mountain Trek

Day 1 Arrive and Unwind

The start point of your epic mountain trek in Picos de Europa begins today in Arenas de Cabrales, located in Asturias, a province of northern Spain.

After settling into your accommodations, set out on an optional walk where you’ll have the chance to visit an ancient Roman church and also peruse the local shops for any last-minute items you may need for your trek.

This evening, unwind on a cozy terrace within the town while sipping on a traditional local cider.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Arenas
Distance: Flexible
Meals: None

Day 2 Circular walk from Arenas

Ascent to the summer meadows of Nava, situated 500 m above the Cares River with excellent views of the Picos. A strenuous but very rewarding walk, especially in early summer when the meadows display a multitude of brightly coloured flowers.

Option of doing an alternative shorter walk through the shady countryside at a lower elevation.

Overnight Location: Hotel in Posada de Valdeón
Distance: Regular route: 3.5-4 hours, 10km, 380m of ascent, 380m of descent
Extended route: 5 hours, 10.5 km, 650m of ascent, 650m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 3 From Tielve to Sotres

Short transfer to Tielve, one of the most authentic villages in this part of the Picos. Walk to Valfríu, where residents still produce the famous local blue cheese, Queso de Cabrales. A gradual ascent through a fairy-tale landscape of heather, old beech woods and streams to a pass at 1240 m, then down to Sotres (1050 m), one of the highest villages in the Picos de Europa.
Overnight Location: Hostel in Espinama
Distance: 3.5-4 hours, 9 km, 575m of ascent, 250m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 4 The Eastern Massif

Circular walk through the Eastern Massif of Picos, an area exploited by mining industries in the 19th century. A limestone landscape of sharp ridges, deep depressions and bottomless shafts. Brightly coloured alpine flora among the rocks. Good chance of seeing chamoix, vultures and different types of eagles.

Optional ascent to Pico San Carlos.

Overnight Location: Hotel in Sotres
Distance: 5.5 hours, 12.5 km,  550m of ascent, 840m of descent

Optional ascent to Pico San Carlos: + 6 km, + 3 h, + 500 m ascent and descent

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 5 From Sotres to Vega de Urriellu

This spectacular route takes you up to the mountain hut at Vega de Urriellu, situated at the foot of the impressive ‘Picu Urriellu’ – also called ‘el Naranjo de Bulnes’. You start off with a transfer to Pandébano Col (elevation 1240 m). From there you begin a steep ascent along a stone footpath, into a lunar landscape of outstanding beauty. This is the very heart of the Picos de Europa, home to chamois, vultures and alpine choughs.

Once at the hut, after a well-deserved rest and time to properly admire the Peak, you retrace your steps - down to Pandébano Col - and continue walking back to Sotres.

*In spring and autumn, snow may prevent you from doing the walk up to the refuge. In that case, today and tomorrow you will choose from the walking routes offered for Day 6.

Overnight Location: Hotel in Sotres
Distance: 6.5 hours, 18 km, 1000m of ascent, 1000m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 6 Choice of walks from Sotres

Today you choose from three different walks.

The first option is The Capercaillie Route, an adventurous and varied circular walk through meadows and beech woods near Tresviso, with views deep down into the Urdón Gorge and quiet woodlands where you might hear the call of this rare bird - the ‘urogallo’.

Valle de Áliva is a technically easier walk to the summer meadows of Áliva and back, exploring an interesting glacier valley at elevations of up to 1650 m, beneath impressive limestone walls of the Central and Eastern Massifs. Half-way you can stop for a rest on the terrace at the Hotel Refugio de Áliva, enjoying extraordinary views.

The last option is a Circular walk from Sotres, a relaxing shorter walk, which starts directly from your hotel and takes you through woodlands and fields in the peaceful area around Sotres.

Overnight Location: Hut at Picu Urriellu
Distance: Capercaillie Route: 6-6.5 hours, 14 km, 500 m ascent, 700 m descent

Valle de Áliva: 6.5 hours, 19 km, 6.5 hrs, 635 m ascent and descent

Circular walk from Sotres: 2.5 hours, 6 km, 2.5 hrs, 300 m ascent and descent

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 7 Trek to Bulnes via the Camburero Gorge

Your last day will be spent doing a short ascent up to Pandébano Col, followed by a long descent on all kinds of footpaths. This beautiful route takes you from Sotres up to the pass, then down to Bulnes. This authentic village, nestled among peaks, can only be reached on foot or (since 2001) by funicular railway. Once in Bulnes you can either take the funicular down to Poncebos or continue another 1,5 to 2 hours on foot - through the spectacular Texu Gorge.

Optionally, you can spend the day walking the Cares Gorge - a mainly flat, there-and-back walk.

Overnight Location: Hotel in Arenas
Distance: Bulnes: 5 - 6 hours, 13 km, 425 m ascent, 1100 m descent

Cares Gorge: 6.5 - 7 hours, 23 km, 6.5 - 7 hrs, 600 m ascent and descent

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Depart Arenas

The time has come to depart Arenas as your mountain trek in the Picos de Europa comes to an end. Enjoy one final breakfast before making your way to the airport to depart!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast