Traverse of the Picos de Europa

Day 1: Arrive in Cangas de Onis

Rendezvous at the group hotel in Cangas de Onis. A complimentary group airport transfer from Santander is provided. The small farming town of Cangas de Onis is our gateway to the Picos de Europa. KE Land Only package services begin with the evening meal. Meals included – Dinner (D)

Day 2: First day of trekking to Pico Cotalba

We have breakfast at our hotel and pick up packed lunches, before making the short transfer to Lago de Enol (1063m / 3488ft) and the start of the day's walk. Setting off beside the lake's tranquil waters, we walk on a good trail through fertile meadows, passing shepherds' cabins, until a final short climb leads to Collado Gamonal. Here, we have our first view of the Vegarredonda Refugio (1460m / 4790ft), our overnight accommodation. Used as an explosives store during the Spanish Civil War, it was rebuilt in 1987 and occupies a unique position for those wishing to explore the high peaks of the Maczino Occidental (Western Massif of the Picos). Chamois (locally known as rebecos) are a common sight here. Our own exploration starts with an afternoon walk to the Mirador de Ordiales, which offers breathtaking views. From here, we will be able to easily reach the nearby summit of Pico Cotalba (2026m / 6647ft). We return to overnight at the refuge. (B,L,D)

Day 3: To Refugio Marques de Villaviciosa

We re-trace our approach route of yesterday for a little less than an hour, before turning west to Lago Ercina with its superb, often snow-capped backdrop of Peña de Santa Castilla. From here, a gently ascending path takes us to an excellent spring at the Vega las Bobias. Climbing more steeply now we have views of the Cuvicente (2014m / 6608ft) chain. Arriving at the collado and passing close by the third deepest cave system in Spain, we are rewarded with one of the most impressive views of the Macizo Central and our own closer objective, Jultayu (1940m / 6365ft). Following cairns along the mountain’s north face we arrive at the summit abruptly, a fine natural viewpoint with a dizzying drop straight down into the Cares Gorge and the village of Cain, 1600 metres (5250 feet) below. This is a great place to spot griffon vultures and possibly also golden eagles soaring on the thermals created by these huge limestone walls. Descending from Jultayu, we cross limestone boulders split by water and ice to our overnight accommodation at the Refugio Marques de Villaviciosa (1630m / 5348ft), which is perched in splendid isolation in an impressive mountain landscape. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Through the Cares Gorge

Today we make a memorably steep descent of nearly 1200 metres (3950 feet) through the Canal de Trea into the Garganta del Cares, which forms a natural dividing line between the Occidental and Central massifs. The entrance to the canal is a dramatic natural balcony looking straight across to the Macizo Central and down towards the Rio Cares. Halfway through our descent we reach the beautiful spring, Fuente El Peyu rising from below a boulder, and we will be grateful to rest here for a while now that the most tricky part of the descent is behind us. The path now becomes more defined as we pass through woods of oak and beech, before finally arriving in the bed of the Cares Gorge. In places the peaks soar precipitously almost 2000 metres (6600 feet) above us and we will be amazed to be able to descend the gorge on a path cut through outrageously difficult terrain. First built in the 1940's as part of a hydro-electric scheme, this path provides one of the most outstanding walks in the Picos de Europa. The gorge eventually emerges in Puente Poncebos where we spend the night in a hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 5: To the Naranjo de Bulnes

Today our walk takes us to the base of El Naranjo de Bulnes, probably the most famous piece of rock in the Picos de Europa. Leaving our hotel, we descend to the Cares River and begin our ascent through the Arroyo Tejo. The path gently climbs beside a pretty mountain stream and through meadows with healthy looking livestock to Bulnes, a medieval village that, until very recently was only accessible by foot. The recent addition of a funicular railway has, in fact, changed very little here. After filling up with water from the village fountain, we leave on a lovely stone paved lane through a forest of walnut, linden and hazelnut trees to emerge in high pastures dotted with shepherds cabins. After buying some Cabrales cheese from a local shepherd, We finally emerge into high mountain terrain and our first sighting of El Urelliu (Naranjo) Our refugio nestles beneath this imposing and dramatic wall of orange limestone. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Ascent of Torre de los Horcados Rojos

Our journey continues south through a wildly graphic landscape of towers, spires and sheer rock faces that were carved during the ice age and continue to be transformed by rain, ice and snow melt. Meandering gently uphill we will surely be looking over our shoulders in the hope of capturing a few more images of El Naranjo before traversing around the abyss of ‘Hou Sin Tierre’ (‘the hole without a bottom’). Throughout the Picos there are many of these massive holes, typical features of a karstic limestone area. Herds of Rebecco, tiny but nimble deer-like animals, eagles and Egyptian vultures are often sighted in this area. As the terrain steepens we will find ourselves concentrating on a cable-assisted scramble of 300 meters up to Collado Horcadas Rocas (2,344 meters). If the weather is good then we will climb Torre de los Horcados Rojos (2506m), an outstanding viewpoint for the whole area and a fine place to linger for a while. Reluctantly, we will begin our descent through granite boulders down to an to an old miners’ track which wends its way past two pretty turquoise-green lakes and through a col into high summer pastures, where our overnight accommodation is situated. The hotel / refugio, Aliva, has an unsurpassed mountain location with fine views of the eastern massif. 6 hours walking. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Climb Valdecoro, descend to Espinama

This morning we begin our descent into the valley, but not before we have explored the most southern part of the Central massif, culminating in the ascent of Pico Valdecoro (1841 meters) which has fantastic views. Our route down to the valley gradually changes from high mountain scenery to meander through meadows and forest, a delightful contrast to the terrain of the past two days. We arrive back in time for a dip in the small hotel pool and there will be time to explore the village before our last night celebratory dinner. 5-6 hrs walking (B,L,D)

Day 8: Group transfer to Santander Airport

The morning is free to explore the village of Potes. After lunch we have a timed group transfer to Santander Airport where KE Land Only package services end. (B)