Hiking the High Trails of the Picos de Europa

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.

Hike: 15kms, +610m, -610mWith 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.

Hike: 15km, +650m, -600mOur 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.

Hike: 8km, +700m, -400mTonight 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. 

Hike: 8km, +800m, -850mAny 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.

Hike: 8km, +750m, -550mTurning 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.

Hike: 8.5km, -1750mIt 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.  

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.

After breakfast, you take your airport or ferry transfer to Bilbao for your travel home. Time to plan your next escape!