Transport

Transport, including airport transfers, is usually by private air-conditioned minibus.

Others

5 days centre-based walking; 1 free day Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader. Min age 16 yrs Altitude maximum 2214m, average 1000m Challenging departures available Reasonable fitness required

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.

Meals

All breakfasts, five picnic lunches and six dinners are included. The region has several delicious specialities to try. The area is known for producing 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, a 30-minute drive away. The local wine is very drinkable, though a glass of local cider can be more refreshing. Breakfast: 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 anise cake. Lunch: generally includes a large bread roll, with a choice of fillings daily, chocolates and fresh fruit. Dinner: a homemade four-course meal usually consists of soup or salad to start, a choice of three main courses (meat, fish or vegetarian) and a homemade dessert. Wine: to accompany the evening meal, the hotel has a reasonably comprehensive wine list. 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.

Guide

Tour leader throughout

Not included:

Flights

International flights are not included

Others

— Travel insurance — Visas and vaccinations — Single supplement

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Start Arenas De Cabrales (Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start Arenas De Cabrales (Dinner)

The small but endearing town of Arenas de Cabrales acts as a major gateway to the Picos de Europa. It’s here we gather at the hotel. When everyone’s arrived, we’ll have a welcome briefing – an excellent chance to meet the group and leader.
Day 2 Day 2: Visit The Arenas De Cabrales Valley; Pastures Of Vanu And Spectacular Views – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Visit The Arenas De Cabrales Valley; Pastures Of Vanu And Spectacular Views – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure (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 can view across the main valley of Cabrales. In spring, it’s 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 is more undulating and provides us with fresh views; 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. Distance: 10mi (16km); ascent: 2,395ft (730m); descent: 2,395ft (730m); duration: seven hours; highest point: Los Fresnos col at 2,362ft (720m) above sea level
Day 3 Day 3: Ascent To Pandescura Peak With Superb Views Of The Western Massif – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Ascent To Pandescura Peak With Superb Views Of The Western Massif – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure (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 Demues. Distance: 9mi (14km); ascent: 1,804ft (550m); descent: 1,903ft (580m); duration: six hours; highest point: Pandescura peak at 3,281ft (1,000m) above sea level
Day 4 Day 4: Classic Cares Gorge Walk, One Of The Most Popular Trails In Spain – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Classic Cares Gorge Walk, One Of The Most Popular Trails In Spain – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

The Cares Gorge trail has been described as the jewel in the crown of Spanish hiking. For 7.5mi (12km), 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 the country. In places, the surrounding peaks rise more than 6,562ft (2,000m) above the path and, if we’re lucky, we glimpse the rare and beautiful wall creeper bird. The path eventually emerges in the village of Cain, where we lunch before returning along the same path to Puente Poncebos. Transport will be waiting here to take us back to our hotel in Arenas. The walk is relatively flat with a gradual ascent of just 1,148ft (350m) from Puente Poncebos to Cain. Distance: 15mi (24km); ascent: 1,804ft (550m); descent: 1,804ft (550m); duration: seven hours; highest point: Los Collaos at 1,673ft (510m)
Day 5 Day 5: Free Day. Optional Activities Include Self-Guided Canoeing, Canyoning, Or A Trip To The Coast – Level 3 (Moderate) And Level 5 (Challenging) Departures (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Free Day. Optional Activities Include Self-Guided Canoeing, Canyoning, Or A Trip To The Coast – Level 3 (Moderate) And Level 5 (Challenging) Departures (Breakfast)

Today is free for you to visit the coast, self-guided canoeing, or canyoning. Our local staff can help organise any of these activities.
Day 6 Day 6: Summit Of Peña Main, One Of The Classic Viewpoints Of The Picos; Continue On To Collado De Pandebano – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Summit Of Peña Main, One Of The Classic Viewpoints Of The Picos; Continue On To Collado De Pandebano – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure (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 viewpoints in the Picos. We walk to Collado de Pandebano and then begin our descent. Distance: 7mi (11km); ascent: 3,445ft (1,050m); descent: 2,428ft (740m); duration: seven hours; highest point: Cabeza la Mesa at 5,288ft (1,612m)
Day 7 Day 7: Walk Up To The Twin Summits Of Mancondiu For Fantastic Views Of The Central And Eastern Massifs – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Walk Up To The Twin Summits Of Mancondiu For Fantastic Views Of The Central And Eastern Massifs – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

At 6,562ft (2,000m), the twin summits of Mancondiu are the highest point we reach during the week. Most of the walking, apart from the last 656ft (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. Distance: 7mi (11km); ascent: 2,411ft (735m); descent: 2,411ft (735m); duration: five hours; highest point: Macondiu peak at 6,562ft (2,000m)
Day 8 Day 8: End Arenas De Cabrales (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: End Arenas De Cabrales (Breakfast)

After one final breakfast, you’ll begin your return journey home. Of course, if you’d like to continue the adventure, you can always speak to your sales consultant and extend your hotel stay.

8 days tour

Walking The Picos De Europa

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Walking The Picos De Europa

Day 1: Start Arenas De Cabrales (Dinner)

Day 2: Visit The Arenas De Cabrales Valley; Pastures Of Vanu And Spectacular Views – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 3: Ascent To Pandescura Peak With Superb Views Of The Western Massif – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 4: Classic Cares Gorge Walk, One Of The Most Popular Trails In Spain – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 5: Free Day. Optional Activities Include Self-Guided Canoeing, Canyoning, Or A Trip To The Coast – Level 3 (Moderate) And Level 5 (Challenging) Departures (Breakfast)

Day 6: Summit Of Peña Main, One Of The Classic Viewpoints Of The Picos; Continue On To Collado De Pandebano – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 7: Walk Up To The Twin Summits Of Mancondiu For Fantastic Views Of The Central And Eastern Massifs – Level 3 (Moderate) Departure (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 8: End Arenas De Cabrales (Breakfast)

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