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Picos de Europa group tour
- Qualified mountain guide (UIMLA certified)
- Routes off-the-beaten track
- Splendid variety of landscapes: rivers, valleys, woodlands and peaks
- Some steep ascents and great views as a reward for your effort
- Welcoming family-run accommodations in lovely settings
- Tasty local cooking and artisan blue Cabrales cheese
From: 675 €
Tripcode: ESGW105
2 Comfort
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
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4 Difficulty
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
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Duration: 8 days
Details
Picos de Europa Group Tour
The Picos de Europa: a tiny mountain range where where rushing rivers have etched their way through the limestone, creating deep gorges and towering peaks. Three spectacular massifs and some of the most vertical terrain in all of Europe. With elevations ranging from 120m to 2648m, the Picos are home to unique ecosystems with an incredible variety of flora and fauna. On our 8-day trek, we venture into the very heart of this paradise to enjoy highlights such as the Cares Gorge, Fuente Dé and the legendary Picu Urriellu. We'll also explore areas off the beaten track, walking through a variety of ever-changing landscapes: idyllic pastures, mysterious woodlands, glacier valleys, rushing streams and limestone spires. At the end of each day, we'll be served tasty regional gastronomy, sparkling apple cider and a grand selection of locally-produced artisan cheeses, including the delicious blue, Cabrales cheese.
Itinerary
Expand itinerary Collapse itineraryDay 1: Arrival in the Picos de Europa
Arrival at our accommodation in Poncebos de Cabrales, Asturias. Welcome chat with the guide and presentation of our program for the week.
Challenge: Travel to the Picos de Europa
Villages along the way: Poncebos de Cabrales
Day 2: The Cares Gorge
The most spectacular gorge in the Picos de Europa can only be traversed on foot. It's 11km of stunning scenery, carved right through the rock by the crystal-clear waters of the River Cares. Once we reach Caín, you can choose to do another 8km on foot - to Posada de Valdeón - or ride with the luggage transport to our accommodation.
Challenge: Minimum of 4hrs, minimum 300m in ascent
Villages along the way: Poncebos, Caín
Day 3: Circular walk from Posada de Valdeón
Today's route begins right at the door of our hotel. We venture 'off-the-beaten-track', hiking through beech woods and alpine meadows in the Western Massif. We may not actually see tracks of wolves and bears, but we will certainly feel their presence. Spectacular panoramas from the highest point on the route, at 1725m.
Challenge: 5.5hrs, 14km, 800m ascent and descent
Day 4: Vega de Liordes
We start off in ascent, with a transfer by land rover which takes us 800m up the mountain to Caben Remoña Pass (1750m). Here, we begin our walk up to Vega de Liordes (2100m), an idyllic valley nestled among towering peaks. We'll see some amazing flora and have the chance of spotting chamois, vultures and alpine birds such as the Wall Creeper, Snow Finch and Rock Thrush. A steep descent along a zig-zag mining path takes us down to Fuente Dé. Our welcoming hostel in Espinama, famous for its regional cooking, has a garden and tiny swimming pool.
Challenge: 5hrs walking, 13km, 400m ascent and 1100m descent
Day 5: From Fuente Dé to Sotres
After a short drive back to Fuente Dé, we take the cable car up into the Central Massif to start our walk at 1835m. You can then choose to continue in ascent to splendid views at Horcados Rojos (2434m) or stroll down to Aliva Pass and the large glacier morraine, where thousands of sheep, cows and horses graze in summer. We continue in descent, among pastures and stone cabins, to reach Sotres on the north side of the Picos.
Challenge: Minimum 4hrs, 11km, 150m ascent and 800m descent. Optional ascent adds another 3,5km and 350m ascent / descent.
Villages along the way: Fuente Dé, Valle de Áliva, Vegas de Sotres
Day 6: Choice of walks from Sotres
Today we have 2 walks to choose from: a true alpine hike to Vega de Urriellu at the foot of the Picos' most famous summit (Central Massif) OR a shorter route up into the old mining district of Ándara (Eastern Massif). Both walks include a short transfer in the morning.
Challenge: 7hrs, 14km, 950m ascent, 1125m descent OR 5hrs, 12.5km, 600m ascent, 900m descent
Day 7: From Sotres to Arenas
After several days in an alpine paradise, today we walk back down to "civilization" on an ancient Roman footpath. We'll see the stone cabins at Valfriu and Tobaos, where the famous Cabrales cheese is made in summer. In the morning, splendid views south toward the Central Massif. In the afternoon, we descend through woodlands of beech, holly and chestnut trees to reach our welcoming hotel in the village of Arenas de Cabrales.
Challenge: 6.5 to 7 hrs, 17.5km, 600m ascent and 1400m descent
Villages along the way: Sotres, Tobaos, Valfríu, Monte Caoru
Day 8: End of program
Our trek comes to an end today after breaksfast. Departure from Arenas de Cabrales.
Challenge: Travel from the Picos de Europa
Practical info
Included:
- Qualified Mountain Guide (UIMLA international certification) service
- Accommodation on a half-board basis
- Luggage transport on Days 2,4,5 and 7
- Transfers according to program, Days 2 to 7, including cable car on Day 5
Not Included:
- Lunches
- Transport to / from the Picos de Europa at start / end of group program
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, drinks, etc.
Optional Services:
- Bus tickets or taxi transfers on arrival / departure
- Extra nights before / after the group program, at charming rural accommodations on the coast or city hotels in Oviedo, Gijón or Bilbao
Reviews
Start: Poncebos de Cabrales
Finish: Arenas de Cabrales
Dates & prices
Trip availability: From May to September. Group dates
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| In double room: | 675 €/person |
| In single room: | 785 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| In double room: | 695 €/person |
| In single room: | 845 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| In double room: | 695 €/person |
| In single room: | 845 €/person |