Tour Overview
Explore a mountainous landscape ruled by golden eagles and griffon vultures on a walking adventure through the Picos de Europa in northern Spain. Guided by an expert tour leader, we trek through limestone peaks and lush valleys, summiting mountains to gaze over the oldest national park in the country. In the evenings, we return to our welcoming base: the family-run Hotel Torrecerredo, where we can marvel at the highest peaks from the bar and restaurant.
If you want to test yourself, join one of our Activity Level 5 (Challenging) departures. See the Itinerary and Dates & Prices tab for more details. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Arenas de Cabrales
Location: Arenas de Cabrales
Meals Included: 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.
Alternatively, if you'd like a little time to settle into the adventure, speak to us about booking hotel nights before the trip begins ...more ...less
Day 2 : Visit the Arenas de Cabrales valley; pastures of Vanu and spectacular views – Level 3 (Moderate) departure
Location: Arenas de Cabrales
Meals Included: 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 : Ascent to Pandescura peak with superb views of the western massif – Level 3 (Moderate) departure
Location: Pandescura Peak
Meals Included: 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 : Classic Cares Gorge walk, one of the most popular trails in Spain – Level 3 (Moderate) departure
Location: Cares Gorge
Meals Included: 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 : Free day. Optional activities include self-guided canoeing, canyoning, or a trip to the coast – Level 3 (Moderate) and Level 5 (Challenging) departures
Location: Picos de Europa
Meals Included: 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 : Summit of Peña Main, one of the classic viewpoints of the Picos; continue on to Collado de Pandebano – Level 3 (Moderate) departure
Location: Picos de Europa
Meals Included: 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 : Walk up to the twin summits of Mancondiu for fantastic views of the central and eastern massifs – Level 3 (Moderate) departure
Location: Picos de Europa
Meals Included: 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 : End Arenas de Cabrales
Location: Arenas de Cabrales
Meals Included: 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.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, five picnic lunches and six dinners
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All accommodation
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Visas and vaccinations
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Single supplement
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.
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Food
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.
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Check out our Q&As
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide. ...more ...less
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
Walking the Picos de Europa
8 Days Starting and ending in Arenas de Cabrales
Visiting: Arenas de Cabrales, Pandescura Peak, Cares Gorge, Picos de Europa
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TSQ
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 15
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, Wildlife Tours
