Trekking in Spain - Picos de Europa
Experience Overview
Traverse the Picos de Europa on this week-long walking holiday. Explore the stunning national park, heading out on daily walks through the unspoilt and wild landscapes of the western, central and eastern massifs. Get a real taste for life in rural northern Spain, staying in the small village of Sotres, refuelling with homemade Asturian food and even meeting with the makers of the famous Cabrales blue cheese.
Sotres - Feel at home at our family-run hotel - headed by husband and wife, Juan and Sonia - in the heart of Sotres, the highest village in Asturias.
Garganta de Cares - Walk along cliff-cut pathways through this spectacular route, known as the Divine Gorge thanks to its spectacular vistas.
Aliva Valley - Take the exhilarating Fuente D'e cable car to soak up panoramic views over the national
Highlights
One-week of excellent walking in the Picos de Europa|Enjoy spectacular views of deep valleys and limestone crags|Experience the local flavour at our family-run lodgings
Trip Details
Product Code: 20295
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Bus4WD
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Explore Worldwide
Supplier Code: PC
Starts: Spain
Finishes: Spain
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
- Explore Tour Leader
- Driver(s)
Accommodation
- Casa Cipriano Hotel
- Hotel Infantado
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1,530 ($191 /day)
Itinerary
Our trip begins today at Bilbao Airport where we'll meet in the arrivals hall at 12pm. Please note, the latest your flight can arrive is 11:30am.
We'll travel together as a group to- Sotres where we'll spend most of our time. The highest village in the Picos, Sotres (in Asturias) positions you with the sky at your fingertips and endless stunning walking trails on your doorstep. Situated between the central and eastern massifs, and within the designated Biosphere Reserve, it's an ideal base for exploring the mountains.
This week, we'll be staying at Hotel Rural Casa Cipriano, a family-run hotel in the heart of Sotres. The rooms are comfortable with ensuite bathrooms and decorated in a simple style true to the manner of the region with wooden furniture and tiled flooring. Please note, on Day 4, we spend the night at a different hotel in Potes on all but August departures.
The hotel also boasts a restaurant, bar and small shop, all run by the family. Refuel with hearty, home-cooked Asturian dishes in the rustic restaurant - the Fabada Asturiana (a smokey bean stew) is a must-try. At the end of a day's walking, the hotel bar beckons you with its cosy atmosphere - grab an Asturian cider or local wine and relax by the roaring fire or sit out on the terrace and soak up the bustle and charm of local life. Then, in the family shop just next door, pick up locally made treats from souvenirs to cheeses and hams.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Casa Cipriano Hotel
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - No
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Dinner
We'll head out on our first walk today, taking on the eastern massif of the Picos. A short transfer will drop us at Jito de Escarandi (1,250 metres/4,101 feet above sea level), from where we'll take the trail up to Caseton de Andara (1,725 metres/5,660 feet). As we climb, we'll be treated to stunning views over the Majada Jazuca Valley and the Canal de las Vacas. Even further, you can spot the Cantabrian coast and the San Vicente beach.
We'll continue to Collado Tramacondiu (1,850 metres/6,070 feet) and walk around the Macondiu Peak to get to Valdediezma forest, from where we'll return to our starting point and Sotres for the night.
Today's 18-kilometre/11.2-mile walk is expected to take around six hours with approximately 700 metres/2,297 feet of ascent and 680 metres/2,231 feet of descent.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Casa Cipriano Hotel
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning, we'll drive the short distance down to the collection of red-roofed buildings known as Invernales de Cabao and cross the river. Then, ascending along a series of switchbacks to reach a viewpoint looking back towards Sotres, where the track levels out before ascending more gradually onto a plateau. Here stands the tiny hamlet of Pandebano, where, in AD718, a battle took place between the Visigothic Christians and the remnants of a somewhat depleted Moorish army. Leaving our vehicle, we'll walk up to a 'saddle', where the huge monolith of the Naranjo de Bulnes (Pico Urriellu 2,519 metres/8,265 feet) comes into view. Rearing straight up from the surrounding rockscape, this rust-coloured mountain is the famous iconic image of the Picos. We'll walk up to the base where there is a refuge and the chance to see climbers attempting to scale the improbable sheer face.
Today's 16-kilometre/9.9-mile walk is expected to take around six and a half hours with 800 metres/2,625 feet of ascent and descent.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Casa Cipriano Hotel
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
We'll start this morning with a short drive to Jito de Escarandi from where we'll start our walk at 1,395 metres/4,577 feet. We'll follow old shepherds' paths down through the Valdediezma beech forest and pastures to Sobra Valley and up to Tresviso where we'll stop for a lunch break en route.
After lunch, we'll continue down the Balcon de Pilatos to Urdon where we'll meet our bus to take us on to Potes, our base for tonight. Known as the village of bridges, Potes sits at the confluence of four valleys and centres around its river. With its historical buildings and streets crisscrossed with stone bridges, this beautiful Medieval town is a pretty place to spend an evening.
Tonight, we stay at the Hotel Infantando here in Potes. Set on the edge of the Picos de Europa National Park, this country hotel is a great spot to unwind, with sprawling views of the surrounding nature from the terrace.
Please note that for our August departures we are not able to stay in Potes so instead return to our hotel in Sotres.
Today's 10-kilometre/6.2-mile walk is expected to take around five hours with 1,150 metres/3,773 feet of descent.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Hotel Infantado
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Don't forget your camera - today's walk is packed with unforgettable, picture-perfect vistas.
We'll start with a drive to Fuente Dé, paying a visit to the Santo Toribio de Liebana Monastery on the way. Then, we'll take the cable car up 1,000 metres/3,281 feet to the rugged plateaux of the Picos and soak up the panoramic views over the national park. Continuing our day of stunning landscapes, we'll walk on through alpine meadows down the Aliva glacial valley to Sotres, stopping for a picnic lunch and to see the Las Manforas mines, which have been abandoned since the 1980s.
Today's 18-kilometre/11.2-mile walk is expected to take around five hours with 100 metres/328 feet of ascent and 1,000 metres/3,281 feet of descent.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Casa Cipriano Hotel
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning we'll drive down through alpine scenery to Puente Poncebos (218 metres/715 feet), where a medieval packhorse bridge spans the Cares River. This marks the starting point for our walk today through the dramatic gorge of the Garganta del Cares - a cleft over 1,000 metres/3281 feet deep and 12 kilometres/7.5 miles long. In places, the path literally cuts into the cliffs and it's only possible to traverse its entire length with the aid of tunnels and bridges. This is one of the highlights of any visit to northern Spain and is a six-hour round trip on foot.
After our walk, we'll head back to Sotres by bus for a well-earned rest.
Today's 24-kilometre/14.9-mile walk is expected to take around six hours with 300 metres/984 feet of ascent and descent.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Casa Cipriano Hotel
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After a short bus journey to La Caballar, we'll begin today's trail at 1,100 metres/3,609 feet, walking down to Camba Forest. We'll eventually come upon the old Tobaos and Valfrio shepherd's huts, from where we'll get views of the central massif. Once we've soaked in the stunning vistas, we'll walk onwards to Tielve for a spot of cheese tasting.
The Cabrales Cheese de Tielve is one of the tastiest cheeses in the area, with centuries of tradition and a good number of national and international awards behind its fame. The ranchers here maintain the old ways, heading up to the sheepfolds in the summer and getting up early for the first milking. We'll visit the Queseria Pena Main, a family run production that not only used the traditional production methods but also stores the cheese in nearby caves as in times gone by. The constant temperature and atmosphere in the caves make for perfect conditions and we'll take a vist into the caves themselves to see it firsthand. After lunch, we'll walk back to our hotel using the old traditional path of Sotres.
This evening, we have the option of a farewell dinner (an additional cost of 33 EUR per person). Our hosts will cook up a feast of local dishes for us to try alongside a tasting of local wines and liquors, while we get to grips with the Spanish ritual of 'sobremesa' (literally translating to 'upon the table') - the tradition of whiling away time after a meal, chatting with a coffee or glass of something stronger in hand.
Today's 10-kilometre/6.2-mile walk is expected to take around four and a half hours with 350 metres/1,148 feet of ascent and 400 metres/1,312 feet of descent.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Casa Cipriano Hotel
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - Yes
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast & Lunch
Departing the mountains this morning after breakfast, we'll drive to Bilbao Airport (BIO) where we'll aim to arrive at 11.30am. This is where the trip ends.
The earliest time you should book a flight to depart today is 1.30pm.
Accommodation:
- Type -
- Accommodation Name -
- Grade -
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Explore Worldwide
A prominent adventure travel company with over four decades of experience, this business that offers a comprehensive array of unique and thrilling experiences worldwide. Catering to various interests, they provide small group journeys, walking and cycling trips, solo holidays, and family adventures.
In Business Since 1981
Reviews
Paul - Traveled, June 2025
This was a great week in the Picos de Europa. The lovely family-run hotel, located in the beautiful village of Sotres is a perfect base to explore the mountains. Thank you to our wonderful guide, Juan Jose, for looking after us so well and for sharing his incredible local knowledge and passion of the area.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/23/2025
Christine - Traveled, June 2025
This was a great trip with a superb leader. The Picos are beautiful and the walks planned to enable us to see different aspects. Some of the walks were quite challenging especially the climb to Vega de Urriello Refuge on the second day. The hotel, which is run by the guide’s family, was a relaxing friendly place. The food was good and plentiful. I would definitely recommend this trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/22/2025
Daniel - Traveled, June 2025
A great way to see this part of Spain. Juan José and his family were excellent hosts. The food was spectacular and as a vegetarian they catered to my dietary needs very well. The hikes were excellent and challenging at times. I would rate two of them as a 4 out of 5 in terms of difficulty, the rest I would class as 3 out of 5. You would need a good level of fitness for this trip and experience hiking.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/18/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2025
This was a great holiday staying at the Casa Cipriano in Sotres with hosts Juan and Sonia and their beautiful family. They were the perfect hosts, and though in the Explore description describes the hotel as basic, we found if very efficiently ran, immaculately clean and the perfect place to stay in every way. The food was fabulous, and if anything over generous! Juan, our host and leader, was very organised and informative. He took care of every detail and clearly loved his job and where he lived and was passionate to share this with us. Sonia, his wife, ran the casa and helped with the tour by driving us at times and just being attentive and a lovely lady. The tour was a wonderful mix of mountain terrain, meadows, wildlife, beautiful views, cheese tasting and Northern Spanish culture and heritage. At times quite challenging ascents, which were described as suitable for beginners but some might find a struggle. Our group were quite fit but day 2 tested us a bit! I don’t think I would change this itinerary, but maybe the need for a good level of fitness/ capacity to manage steep ascent on very uneven terrain/rocks might help future travellers to assess their capability to manage this. I would highly recommend this trip. The tour leader was outstanding, and for me the trip offered the right mix of challenge, great new experiences and beautiful scenery.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/17/2025
Julia - Traveled, May 2025
This was our first experience of a trekking holiday and overall very positive. Juan is an excellent guide, offering an insight in the area and culture with genuine enthusiasm and knowledge. The hotel has a very homely and welcoming feel which was enhanced by the fact it is a family run business. The food was excellent Spanish cuisine and all meals were included which was fantastic value. The tour was described as 'moderate' which we were comfortable selecting as we had not done this type of holiday before, but we are of a good level of fitness. However, other members of our group who had been on many tours previously found it hard / challenging which we would agree. We also noted the ascent / descent of the walks, but no reference was made of the narrowness and height of some paths. My husband experienced some vertigo and anxiety on certain walks which was not expected and in the end reduced his participation in the final walk. Overall we had a wonderful holiday and Juan and Sonia were perfect hosts.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/10/2025
Fiona - Traveled, May 2025
A spectacular area to hike. The village of Sotres is small and friendly. The family hotel was welcoming and the food was consistently great. Juan was an interesting and engaged hiking guide. Overall a very good experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/10/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2025
The host, accommodation and food on this trip were fantastic. The treks are quite challenging in places but the scenery is stunning and well worth the effort. I would definitely recommend this trip to those who are accomplished and experienced walkers/trekkers, as a good level of fitness is necessary. The host was very knowledgeable, understanding and helpful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/03/2025
Andrew - Traveled, May 2025
I had fantastic time With the group and the tour leader Juan was a amazing caring man with a great sense of humour, I would certainly vote him as number one tour guide, leader of the year x.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/03/2025
Annette - Traveled, May 2025
The leader made this a special holiday with his knowledge and experience always delivered in an engaging way. The area has spectacular scenery and a rich history which combine to make this holiday a fabulous experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/26/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2025
Fantastic walks, superb vistas, delicious local food, and lovely accommodation. A warm welcome from the excellent family hosts at Casa Cipriano; not to mention the knowlegable, skilled, very experienced, conscientious, and cheerful guide. This is such a wonderful place and experience that we have just booked our third trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/22/2025
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