Walking the Picos de Europa
Walking the Picos de Europa
8 Days Starting and ending in Arenas de Cabrales
Visiting: Las Arenas, Cabeza Pandescura, Calle Juan Cabeza, The Cares Trail, Tielve, Funicular de Bulnes (Poncebos), Caín de Valdeón, Bulnes, Pandebono, Peña Maín, Picos de Macondíu
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TSQ
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Physical rating:
Moderate
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
From:
$1792
$1525 (USD)
Operator discount: -$267
-15%
Tour Overview
Spain's third-highest mountain range, the Picos de Europa is a region of dramatic limestone peaks and lush valleys. Carpeted in beautiful wildflowers in spring, this area is also known as 'Green Spain'. Its terrain, tranquillity and inaccessibility make the Picos a walker's paradise. Chamois, Griffon vultures, Golden eagles and many other species are regularly seen, and, although more rarely spotted, bears, wolves and boars still survive in this incredible wilderness. We base ourselves at the friendly, family-run Hotel Torrecerredo, positioned in the heart of the region and offering breathtaking panoramas of the highest peaks from its welcoming bar and restaurant.
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Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Arenas De Cabrales.
Location: Las Arenas
Meals Included: Dinner
The trip starts in Arenas de Cabrales this afternoon. Those on the group
flights will be met at Bilbao Airport and transferred to our hotel, which has
views up to the highest peak in the national park.
**
Day 2 : Visit The Arenas De Cabrales Valley; Pastures Of Vanu And Spectacular Views- Moderate Departure (Level 3)
Location: Las Arenas
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The walk begins directly from our hotel. After leaving the village, a path
leads us up to the pastures of Vanu with the most famous peaks of Picos de
Europa visible on sunny days.
We continue onwards where the scenery changes and we are able to view across
the main valley of Cabrales. During Spring time, it is possible to see a
large variety of flowers. Looking skywards it is also possible to spot some
vultures soaring above.
For lunch we will approach the village of Inguanzo before completing the
final part of the walk. This section of the walk is more undulating and
provides us with fresh views and a comfortable last mile takes us back to
Arenas de Cabrales.
Most of this first day’s walk follows wide easy tracks for warming up with
some steep ascents. There is only a short section of downhill walking during
today's walk.
Walking approx. 16km/ 10 miles; duration 7 hours; ascent +730m; descent
-730m. Highest point (Los Fresnos col): 720m.
Day 3 : Ascent To Pandescura Peak With Superb Views Of The Western Massif- Moderate Departure (Level 3)
Location: Cabeza Pandescura, Calle Juan Cabeza
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short transfer takes us to the village of Canales. The first part of the
day follows farm tracks before a short climb up to the 'Collado de los
Buitres'. If you are lucky you may see Griffon vultures soaring above. We
then follow open terrain, slowly ascending to the base of the Pandescura
peak. A simple ascent to the top will lead us to an ideal lunch spot with
superb views of the Western massif peaks. We then descend through green hills
to the village of Bovia.
Walking approx. 14km/ 9 miles; duration 6 hours; ascent +550m; descent -580m.
Highest point (Pandescura peak): 1000m.
Day 4 : Classic Cares Gorge Walk, One Of The Most Popular Walks In Spain- Moderate Departure (Level 3)
Location: The Cares Trail, Tielve, Funicular de Bulnes (Poncebos), Caín de Valdeón, Bulnes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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. In places, the surrounding peaks
rise over two thousands metres above the path and if we're lucky, we may
catch a glimpse of the rare and beautiful wall creeper bird. The path
eventually emerges in the village of Cain, where we have lunch before our
return along the same path to Puente Poncebos. Transport will be waiting here
to take us to back to our hotel in Arenas. The walk is relatively flat with a
gradual ascent of just 350m from Puente Poncebos to Cain.
Walking approx. 24km/ 15 miles; duration 7 hours; ascent +550m; descent
-550m. Highest point (Los Collaos): 510m
Day 5 : Free Day. Optional Activities Include Caving, Self-Guided Canoeing, Canyoning Or A Trip To The Coast- Moderate (Level 3) & Challenging (Level 5) Departures
Location: Pandebono
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free for you to visit the coast or try a spot of caving, self-guided
canoeing or canyoning. Our local staff will be able to help organise any of
these activities.
Day 6 : Summit Of Peña Main, One Of The Classic Viewpoints Of The Picos; Continue On To Pandebano Col- Moderate Departure (Level 3)
Location: Peña Maín, Cabeza Pandescura
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Starting close to the village of Tieve, we walk up into the Main range and
summit Peña Main, one of the classic viewpoint in the Picos. We walk to
Pandebano Col and then begin our descent.
Walking approx. 11km/ 7 miles; duration 7 hours; ascent +1050m; descent
-740m. Highest point (Cabeza La Mesa): 1612m
Day 7 : Walk Up To The Twin Summits Of Mancondiu Offering Fantastic Views Of The Central And Eastern Massifs- Moderate Departure (Level 3)
Location: Picos de Macondíu
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
At 2000m, the twin summits of Mancondiu are the highest point we reach during
the week. Most of the walking apart from the last 200m is on disused mining
tracks. The top offers fantastic views of the Central and Eastern Massifs and
is a fantastic end to a diverse week of walking.
Walking approx. 11km/ 7 miles ; duration 5 hours; ascent +735m; descent
-735m. Highest point: Macondiu peak 2000m
Day 8 : End Arenas De Cabrales.
Location: Las Arenas
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip ends in Arenas de Cabrales this morning.
**
What's Included
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners.
* All breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners included
* All accommodation
* Transfer for group flights
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What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single supplement
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Visas & Vaccinations
Accommodation
Hotel Torrecerredo is a 19-room, family-run hotel in the rural village of Arenas de Cabrales. It is ideally situated for our adventure: a 30 minute drive to the Picos de Europa mountains and a five-minute walk from the village centre.
It has a garden terrace attached to the cafe-bar and the restaurant has views of the Picos mountains. The hotel also has a residents lounge with lots of comfortable seating, where you can enjoy more mountain views. Every evening, owners Pilar and Jim serve home-cooked traditional dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, which you can enjoy with a glass or two of local wine.
Amenities
Restaurant serving traditional Asturian dishes
Bar/cafeteria for light snacks and drinks (open every day)
Residents lounge to relax in the evenings
Worth knowing
Single accommodation is available on request. Paying for a single supplement only guarantees a room for single use and does not under normal circumstances mean a twin or a double for sole occupancy will be provided.
Food
All breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners are included.
The region has several delicious specialities for you to try while you are
staying here. The area is famous for its gold-medal-winning blue cheese,
Queso Cabrales, which is matured in some of the thousands of deep limestone
caves that dot the hills. Lesser known, but equally appealing is the local
lamb Cordero al la Menta and a wholesome bean stew, Fabada Asturiana. Fresh
fish comes from the coast at Llanes and Ribadesella, half an hour's drive
away. The local wine is very drinkable, though a glass of local cider can be
more refreshing.
*Breakfast:*Â Fruit juice, tea, freshly ground coffee, cereals, bread, cold
meats, cheeses and a selection of local fruit (depending on season) offered
buffet-style. There are also eggs cooked to order, sponge and Anis cake.
*Lunch:*Â Generally includes a large bread roll, with a choice of fillings
daily, chocolates and fresh fruit.
*Dinner:*Â Homemade four-course meal usually consists of soup or salad for
the first course, a choice of 3 main courses, with meat, fish, or vegetarian,
followed by a homemade dessert.
*Wine:*Â To accompany the evening meal, the hotel has a reasonably
comprehensive wine list available.
Over the years, the hotel has developed tasty vegetarian alternatives. Please
let us know in advance if you are vegetarian or have any other special
dietary requirements.
Check out our Q&As
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.