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Hiking the High Trails of the Picos de Europa
Northern Spain
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Reviews
- Packing list
Grade:
Challenging
Type:
Activity
Transfers
Duration:
8 Nights
4 - 12
Group size
Leaders
Tour Highlights
- Total immersion with hut to hut trek and exciting high mountain trails
- Explore Covadonga and charming Picos towns of Potes & Cangas de Ons
- Unspoilt national park with bear, wolf, chamois and more
- Traditional hotels and comfortable mountain refuge accommodation
Hike the best high mountain trails in the Picos de Europa
On this hiking holiday in Northern Spain, you'll explore the best high mountain trails and unspoilt wildlife that Spain has to offer.
A little-known gem of a mountain range, the Picos de Europa (‘Peaks of Europe’) spread for 20km across the stunning autonomous regions of Asturias, Cantabria, Castile and León, leading down to the emerald green coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. They offer some of the best hiking in Spain.
This ‘challenging’-level hike through the Picos de Europa takes place during the summer when the snows have melted from the high passes of the range. The joy of this adventure is being able to hike through the central massif and stay at altitude, journeying from one stunningly situated mountain refuge to another, via steep gradients and some scrambling and more technical sections.
Enjoy the timeless mountain culture of hikers and climbers as you revel in the expansive mountain views leading down to the bright blue ocean, and the clean, fresh air. Wildlife to be found up here include the nimble chamois, lammergeier vultures and eagles, though bears and wolves have been reintroduced to the mountains lower down.
(Available as a small group tour or tailor-made holiday)
If you would like to learn more, you can watch our Northern Spain webinar here.
One of the first National Parks to be founded in Europe, the limestone peaks reach up to 2,600m where eagles and lammergeiers soar, from deep valleys and verdant pastures dotted with delightful rural villages and grazing animals. A widely accepted origin for the name is that they were the first sight of Europe for ships arriving from the Americas, and they remain deeply impressive as ever, yet somehow overlooked by mainstream tourism.
The central massif of the Picos, which stages our adventure, is without a doubt, the most wild and spectacular scenery in the national park; home to Torrecerredo, 2650m ‘Closed Tower’, the highest peak in the range and Naranjo de Bulnes, 2519m ‘The Orange Tree of the village Bulnes’, certainly the most iconic.
Day 1: Arrival into Bilbao
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
3 star hotel
Arrive into Bilbao and be met and transferred to our hotel in Arenas de Cabrales, Asturias. A small town, nestled into the mountains, it is the perfect place to start your adventure.
Depending on your arrival time, freshen up, relax or explore independently before meeting your English speaking Spanish guide in the evening, and enjoying a briefing and traditional Spanish welcome dinner.
If you need some ideas on structuring your first afternoon, don't hesitate to let us know.
Day 2: Hike to Vega de Ario
Breakfast
Dinner
3 star hotel
Hike: 15kms, +610m, -610m
With a packed lunch in our backpacks, we start our adventure with a warm up hike from one of the stunning Covadonga Lakes, to get incredible panoramic views of the Central Massif; our ‘playground’ for the next few days.
The hike to Vega de Ario takes us past shepherd huts, up to the Marques de VillaviciosaRefuge where we pause for a very scenic lunch, with views of the entire Massif Central, the Cares Gorge, the small town of Cain and the Penas Santas in the background. We return by the same track to Majadas Las Bobias where we turn towards the Majada de Belbin, famous for its Gamonedo cheese, before arriving back at Ercina Lake.
In the afternoon we stop off in Covadonga to visit the Royal site of Covadonga and its beautiful Cathedral (Basilica de Santa Maria la Real de Covadonga). It was here that Christian Spanish began to fight back against the Moorish Invaders to establish the Kingdom of Asturias in 722.
Day 3: Hike Along the Aliva Glacier Valley
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
3 star hotel
Hike: 15km, +650m, -600m
Our first route in the Central Massif crosses the gorgeous Aliva Glacier Valley, part of the GR-202 ‘Route of the Reconquest’. Starting from the town of Sotres we pass by 'Vegas del Toro’, a collection of picturesque red roofed buildings against a backdrop of lush mountain pastures.
Following the Duje River, which divides the Central & Eastern Massifs of the Picos, and forms the border between Asturias & Cantabria, we walk along the impressive moraine of the great Aliva Glacier, to the Hotel-Refugio Aliva. It is the perfect place to pause for a snack and to drink in the superb views of the ‘Pena Vieja’ and ‘Pena Olvidada' peaks (both over 2600m).
The afternoons trails take us through the high mountain pastures (majadas), a simple hermitage and the hamlet of Invernales de Iguedri, which signals the start of our gentle descent to Espinama. We transfer to the charming medieval town of Potes this afternoon where you can meander the streets at your leisure.
Day 4: Valcavao to Collado Jermoso Refuge
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
Mountain refuge
Hike: 8km, +700m, -400m
Tonight we stay high in the mountains (2064m) sleeping in the stunningly situated mountain refuge of Collado Jermoso, with modern facilities; single sex dormitory bedrooms, shared bathrooms, restaurant, bar, hot shower & fantastic sunsets!
First thing, we transfer to Pandetravemountain pass and onwards, on the track to Horcados de Valcabao for the start of our fabulously scenic walk. Following trails along the Canal de Pedabejo, beneath a large smooth rock wall, we climb up for spectacular views of the Massif of Llambrion, near the Vega de Liordes (which we explore tomorrow) and along the cliffs of Colladinas (5 small hills hanging towards an abyss) till we reach the Refuge. The sunset from here will be fantastic with far reaching views over the Valdéon valley & the Western Massif.
Day 5: Collado Jermoso to Urriellu Refuge
Breakfast
Dinner
Mountain refuge
Hike: 8km, +800m, -850m
Any reluctance to leave Collado Jermoso can be countered by the knowledge that tonight will be spent at the famous Urriellu Refuge, again with modern facilities; single sex dormitory bedrooms, shared bathrooms, restaurant, bar, hot shower & fantastic sunsets, at the base of the Western Face of the Naranjo de Bulnes.
We leave Collado Jermoso, heading to the Collada Ancha and Tiro Casares to reach the slightly surreal Cabana Veronica Refuge. From here we descend to Horcados Rojos offering incredible views of the renowned Naranjo de Bulnes and on, down to the moonscapes of the Jou de Los Boches by a steep and exposed slope (not suitable for those with vertigo). We enjoy a hearty dinner and overnight stay in this striking location.
Day 6: Urriellu Refuge to Cabrones Refuge
Breakfast
Dinner
Mountain refuge
Hike: 8km, +750m, -550m
Turning our backs on the imposing Western face of Picu Urriellu, we walk up the Corona del Raso before enjoying a short scramble through Brecha de los Cazadores, which takes us closer to the Horcada Arenera (2283m). Ascending a nearby summit, we navigate some exciting and complex mountain terrain pitted with karstic holes known locally as ‘Jous’ where the limestone has been sporadically eroded.
Our destination, the Cabrones Refuge is one of the most wild and spectacular places of the Picos… you are right in the heart of this fabulous destination. Expect modern facilities similar to those at Collado Jermoso and Urriellu Refuges.
Day 7: Cabrones Refuge to Poncebos
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
3 star hotel
Hike: 8.5km, -1750m
It is downhill all the way today! You may be reluctant to leave the peace and beauty of the high Picos, but our route today is an exciting and technical descent! We pass through aerial cornices with the help of fixed ropes and delicate steps until we reach the Cuesta del Trave. A sharp descent towards the Majadas de Amuesa takes us to the town of Bulnes.
We rest our knees and enjoy a fabulous meal in the village before our final descent down the Canal del Tejo to Poncebos, where our transport is waiting to take us to the coastal town of Llanes in time to enjoy a cider factory visit (we get to sample the cider with our evening meal) and a typical Asturian dinner.
Day 8: Visit Oviedo and local environmental organisation; FAPAS
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
3 star hotel
In response to our clients asking how they can offer something back to the local area they have so enjoyed on their holiday with Yellowwood, where possible we link up to an appropriate organisation who we feel are doing their best to support either the ecology and environment or local communities within an area.
FAPAS (Fund for the Protection of Wild Animals) is a small non-profit association who run a number of practical and innovative projects in the Picos de Europa. They study and work with local communities to protect some of the most emblematic Cantabrian species: the Iberian wolf, the griffon vulture, and the brown bear.
With their HQ based outside of Oviedo, before we leave the beauty of N.Spain, FAPAS offer us the opportunity to hear in more detail about the conservation challenges in the Picos de Europa, and to contribute for a few hours, to one of their worthy projects. It is a wonderful way to end our time in the area putting into perspective our travel experience.
Day 9: Travel Home
Transfer
Breakfast
After breakfast, you take your airport or ferry transfer to Bilbao for your travel home. Time to plan your next escape!
Adventure Optional Extras
Single Room Supplement
Single rooms are available on a first come, first served basis, however, due to the nature of the accommodation we are using on this adventure (mountain refuges), there are several nights where single rooms are not possible, so the supplement price reflects this. We will charge on a pro-rata basis if a single room is not available to book for part of the trip where it would have been possible.
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
Not Included
- International flights (or ferry) and taxes
- Insurance
- Tips (allow approx £100)
- Lunches, snacks & drinks
Contents
Accommodation
We fully believe in, and practice, Responsible Tourism, using hotels run by locals. The accommodation on this adventure is a mixture of comfortable and welcoming hotel accommodation offering rooms with ensuite facilities, plus immersion into the mountain landscapes with 3 nights in stunningly situated mountain refuges. All refuges offer modern facilities, expansive views and a warm ambiance, but expect shared bathrooms and dormitory accommodation.
We put time and effort into building our relationship with accommodation suppliers to ensure you have a great trip;
We choose accommodation based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra travel) and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Wherever we can we will choose smaller, more characterful, individual hotels, but in areas where tourism is still developing, or in remote areas (like the mountains), we may not have a wide range of options. An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things with are exciting and memorable and reflects the countries we are visiting.
The list below gives information on our first choice of accommodation for this adventure. Where hotels and refuges are fully booked or unavailable, we will use an alternative of a similar standard, and equally well situated. We will provide you with an accurate list of accommodation, with contact information to leave with relatives, prior to departure on your adventure.
Arenas de Cabrales: (Day 1 & 2): Hotel Picos de Europa, Arenas de Cabrales, Espana (+34 985846491). Ensuite rooms, garden, outdoor pool & Wifi.
Casa Cayo, Potes (Day 3): Characterful mountain Hotel Restaurant in Potes (+34 942730150). Ensuite rooms.
Collada Jermoso Refuge (Day 4): Diego Mella Refuge, Collado Jermoso, Valdeon Valley (+34 636998727), Mountain refuge at 2064m. Dormitory accommodation (7 or 8 beds) with shared bathrooms and restaurant facilities.
Urriellu Refuge (Day 5): Dramatically situated refuge at the base of Naranjo de Bulnes @ Hotel (+34 984090981). Dormitory accommodation (7 or 8 beds) with shared bathrooms and restaurant facilities.
Refuge de Cabrones (Day 6): Refuge at 2034m altitude (+34 6507780381). Dormitory accommodation with shared bathrooms and restaurant facilities.
Gran Hotel Paraiso, Llanes (Day 7): Calle Pidal, 33500 Llanes, Asturias (+34 985402325). Ensuite rooms, air con & Wifi
Facilities
Unless you have booked a single room (where they are available) and paid the single room supplement for those nights, you will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender).
Guiding & Your Group
Supporting you on your holiday will be a local, English speaking Spanish guide who is qualified to lead walkers in the mountains and knows the Picos like the back of his hand! This ensures you are in excellent hands and that you have access to local knowledge.
We work jointly with our Spanish Tour Operator partners both before and during your adventure to ensure that they understand your needs and the standard that YellowWood Adventures expects. We believe that it is a very important positive aspect of Responsible Tourism, to employ the expertise of local suppliers, as well as offering you a much more informative and authentic experience.
Should we get bookings for more than 7 clients then also accompanying you for the duration of the trip will be a qualified International Mountain Leader from YellowWood Adventures. This ensures the right ratio of leaders to clients with a slightly larger group.
Your Group
Your group will be any number from our minimum group size of 4, up to a maximum of 12 clients. This number works really well with the ratio of guides, and ensures the optimum level of service to you during your adventure.
We get clients booking alone, as couples and in small groups of friends. If you have a group of friends or family who are interested in having their own customised trip, then please let us know and we can cost it for you.
Am I fit enough?
Your itinerary involves hiking at altitude (up to 2500m), over passes and traversing mountain slopes. You will encounter rough terrain, steep gradients, scrambling and some vertiginous paths at varying times. Trails will not always be defined and will be narrow and rocky at times. You will be walking for extended periods of time and on consecutive days.
To get the most of out of this adventure, you need to be a walker with experience of consecutive days higher-level walking in the mountains, and be in good physical condition.
You will be carrying a 30-40L rucksack each day. Any hiking is undertaken at the natural pace of the group, with regular stops for photos, snacks etc. Walking boots that have already been worn in are essential on this adventure.
For convenience, peace of mind, and to reduce the purchase of single use plastic water bottles, we highly recommend a filtration water bottle such as Aquapure Traveller (offer available - please contact us for details).
Travel
For those of you who choose to fly into Northern Spain, Bilbao airport is a fully functioning, international airport welcoming domestic flights and those from Europe. Airport services include Duty Free, ATMs and Currency Exchange. On arrival at the airport you will go through passport control to baggage reclaim and onwards to Arrivals where you will be met by a driver / guide with a YellowWood Adventures sign.
Included in the cost of your adventure is a group transfer to and from the airport.
Group transfers are only available on the official start and end dates of the trip. Arriving or departing on any other days means group transfers will not be included. If you plan to arrive before or after the adventure dates and need assistance with transfers or accommodation, please add these services when booking, or contact us directly to make the arrangements.
Once you have made a booking, you will be prompted to complete a travel information form where you can provide us with your exact flight times and details. This will enable us to organise your private transfers accordingly. Please note that private transfers may be subject to availability.
You are also welcome to book your travel independently, and we will provide clear instructions on how to meet the group at the designated time and location at the start of your trip.
Finding flights
Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool when searching for flights, such as skyscanner or www.momondo.co.uk.
We will send you a Flight Information Sheet with further pointers on which flights to book for your adventure.
Travel by Ferry
Although the most timely way to get to the Picos is to use a low cost airline, there is much joy to be found in incorporating your travel into your adventure and choosing the lower carbon footprint option of the ferry. You can travel to Bilbao from Portsmouth (23hrs 45mins), with Brittany Ferries. An added bonus to this form of travel is the opportunity to spot whales and dolphins in the Bay of Biscay!
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. As the situation in our destination countries can change, please do ensure you check regularly before your adventure.
We also receive notifications direct from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) so we are always aware of the ‘status’ in our destination countries.
Brexit
We have put together a journal post with a short summary of Brexit Advice for Travellers to Europe.
Arrival
For those of you who choose to fly into Northern Spain, Bilbao airport is a fully functioning, international airport welcoming domestic flights and those from Europe. Airport services include Duty Free, ATMs and Currency Exchange. On arrival at the airport you will go through passport control to baggage reclaim and onwards to Arrivals where you will be met by a driver / guide with a YellowWood Adventures sign.
For those choosing to arrive by ferry, you will also be met by a driver/ guide with a YellowWood Adventures sign, in the ferry Arrivals Terminal.
All group specific, final details on where to meet your guide will be sent to you prior to the start of your adventure.
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately, anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend arranging your insurance cover when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered.
YellowWood partners with battleface as a travel insurance provider. Click here for a quote.
battleface insurance is provided in the UK by battleface Insurance Services Limited, a UK insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details provided on this webpage are for information only. Terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations apply. Always read the description of cover contained within your policy to ensure it is suitable for your needs.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hour emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
You must ensure the travel insurance you purchase provides you with suitable cover for the entirety of your trip. Your travel insurance must include cover in the event that you have to cancel for a reason outside your control prior to departure, for any medical expenses you may incur whilst away (including repatriation in the case of medical need) and for the activities which you may participate in during your trip.
General information on Spain
For information on Northern Spain, such as climate, weather, language, social norms, food & drink etc, please have a read of our Country specificinformation.
Reviews
YellowWood Adventures
This is a new itinerary for YellowWood and as such, we do not yet have any reviews. We would love you to be the first to review the adventure!
Receive a 15% discount off Water-to-Go filtration water-bottles to help reduce plastic waste.
Compulsory
- € Currency, or US$ / £GB to exchange
- Passport & insurance documents
- Credit / debit card for use in ATMs
- Prescription medication & antibiotics such as Azithromycin to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea
- First aid kit: paracetamol, anti-diarrhoea tables, rehydration sachets, antihistamine cream, ibuprofen cream, thermometer & blister kit (eg plasters & zinc oxide tape).
- Washbag & usual contents - small travel bottles please! Biodegradable multi purpose soap can be used for washing clothes & self.
- Flannel & Towel (ultralight, quick drying travel towel)
- 'On the go' Toilet kit: toilet roll, wet wipes & ziplock bags for carrying paper out. Biodegradable wet wipe brands: Canny Mum, Close Pop & Travel Buddy
- Insect repellent
- Hand sanitiser (70% alcohol) & min of 2 reusable & 10 disposable face coverings
- Sunglasses & high factor suncream
- Sun hat or baseball cap
Items for hiking
- 40-45L Rucksack with waist & chest strap
- Sleeping bag & pillowcase - lightweight bag as blankets and pillows will be provided in huts.
- Water-to-Go filtration water-bottle & additional storage water-bottle - ideally 2 litres per person
- Waterproof stuff sacks & liners to keep kit dry. Esp. important for sleeping bags & spare clothes
- Walking boots - already broken in & ideally with goretex.
- Torch with spare batteries / charger
Clothing
- General socks (2-3 pairs) & underwear
- Suitable clothes (eg leggings) /pjs for sleeping in at night (NB some dormitory accommodation)
- Light clothes for day time - 2-3 short sleeved 1st layer t-shirts. NB technical fabrics dry quickly in hot or wet weather when hiking.
- Primaloft or lightweight down, long sleeved layer. This is better than a fleece as weighs less, compresses better and serves as a 2nd or 3rd layer.
- Buff or neck gaiter for cold weather / sun protection.
- Good quality Walking trousers & shorts
- Flip flops or lightweight sandals for evenings
- Warm hat & gloves
- High Quality Waterproof jacket - goretex if possible
Optional
- Spare ziplock bags for dirty clothes, waterproofing phones, rubbish & general organising
- Camera & charging cables / plug
- Phone & charging cables / plug
- EU plug adaptor
- Walking poles
- Bum bag or grab bag for essentials
- Lightweight waterproof trousers
This trip supports
Need a little help?
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
Related Adventures
Booking Process
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
Check the box to agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Make Booking: Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Travel Trust Association.
Your booking will show as 'pending' in your YellowWood online account.
Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)
Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.
You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
Get in touch
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