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. The park's remote location and minimal light pollution create incredibly dark skies, ideal for observing the night sky and witnessing the Solar Eclipse.
Breakfast: 7
Lunch: 6
Dinner: 6
Explore Tour Leader
Driver(s)
Bus
4WD
7 nights comfortable hotel
No pace rating
Trip maximum 15 Explore average 11
Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.
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 as a group to Potes, where we'll spend this evening.
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 recoup 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.
Casa Cipriano Hotel (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
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.
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 Treviso where we'll stop for a lunch break en route.
After lunch, we'll continue down the Balcon de Pilatos to Urdon. This route offers us fantastic view of the Urdon Gorge on a zigzagging path along the mountainside. At Urdon we'll meet out bus to take us back to 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.
Don't forget your camera - today's walk is packed with unforgettable, picture-perfect vistas.
We'll start with a drive to Fuente De, 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.
Tonight after dark we head out in the company of local astronomer Rebecca Fernandez to a viewpoint away from the lights of the village to enjoy the stars and constellations of the night sky. Rebecca will have her telescope to allow us to see beyond what is immediately visible to the naked eye and talk to us about what we're seeing.
The national park is well known for for its dark skies and limited light pollution, with the Milky Way a prominent feature.
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.
Hotel Infantado (or similar)
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. Giving us a real taste for life in rustic northern Spain, you'll spot cows and sheep grazing in the vicinity, roosters and hens scampering in the corrals and goats roaming on the nearby cliffs. After lunch, we'll walk back to our hotel using the old traditional path of Sotres.
Our eclipse viewing experience begins with a scenic bus journey around 6:45pm, transporting us to the Collado de la Caballar, situated at an elevation of 1100 metres. From there, a leisurely one-hour hike will lead us to the Pico de la Tabla, a prime vantage point above Sotres. Here, amidst the panorama of the Picos de Europa, we'll have dinner as the sun lowers in the sky.
At this time of year sunset is around 9.30pm in the Picos, and we should have an unobstructed view as the eclipse begins on the horizon.
The partial phase is due to start around 7.30pm, with totality beginning at around 8.25pm and lasting for two minutes. The partial eclipse will then finish around 8.46pm.
Our astronomer Rebecca will be on hand to enhance our understanding and appreciation of this rare event, providing expert commentary and insights throughout the experience. Direct viewing of the sun, even during a partial eclipse, is not recommended so we will be providing eclipse glasses to allow us to safely enjoy the experience.
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.
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.
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, we 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.
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 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.
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.
Total distance : 57 miles
Overall, spring, early summer and autumn are ideal times for a Spanish trip - though the weather varies enormously from region to region. The high central plains suffer from fierce extremes, stiflingly hot in summer, bitterly cold and swept by freezing winds in winter. The Atlantic coast, in contrast, has a tendency to damp and mist, and a relatively brief, humid summer. The Mediterranean south is warm virtually all year round. Spain's Islands, the Canaries and Balaerics, experience very mild winters and warm summers, making them ideal year round destinations.
+1
2 Pin Round
Roman Catholic
Castilian Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque
Bring light and comfortable clothing that can be layered according to the temperature. The weather conditions in the mountains can be changeable, and it can become cool, especially at night, so bring warmer layers. Tops made from wicking materials which keep you drier and warmer are recommended as a base layer, and walking trousers are preferable to trousers of heavier material such as jeans. A waterproof jacket is essential at all times in case of rain and wind. -Breathable wind and waterproof jacket (you may also wish to bring waterproof trousers) -T-shirts -Long sleeved tops -Sunhat -Long trousers -Shorts (if you prefer to walk in them) -Swimwear and towel -Midlayer Fleece/pullover -Socks (liner and thicker pair) -Insulated jacket -Gloves and scarf or buff
We recommend you bring walking boots with ankle support- leather or fabric are both fine. Make sure that your boots are worn-in and comfortable before the start of the trip. Also trainers or sandals for relaxing and general wear. We suggest that on international flights you either carry your walking boots in your hand luggage or wear them - should your luggage be lost or delayed, your own boots are the one thing that will be irreplaceable. You will also need a head torch for the night walk back after the eclipse.
20Kg
Bring one main piece of luggage and a 20-30 litre day sack is recommended. You will need to carry what you need for the day which may include a raincoat, jumper, camera, sun-cream, water and picnic lunch. On hot days you will carry fewer clothes but more drinking water.
-Sunglasses -Sun cream -Small Torch (with spare batteries and bulb) -Camera -Walking poles (recommended) -Personal toiletries -Personal first aid kit - On each walk a first aid kit is carried but you should have your own blister kit, supply of plasters, aspirin and other essentials. -Insect repellent -Small waterproof dry bag (for items such as your mobile phone) -Reusable water bottle (minimum 1 litre) - Get 15% discount on a Water-to-Go bottle www.explore.co.uk/about-us/responsible-travel/water-to-go-discount-with-explore -Lunch bag/Tupperware (for packed lunches) Plastic Bags - If you pack bits and pieces in plastic bags inside your day sack they will stay dry in case of rain.
Bus, 4WD
Our base for the week is the Hotel Rural Casa Cipriano. This family-run hotel is located in the heart of the region's highest village, Sotres. It's perfectly situated for uncovering the Picos de Europa mountain range - to get a taste of what's to come, there's a walk through the village to a viewpoint of the surrounding peaks. The rooms are comfortable with en suite bathrooms and decorated in a simple style true to the manner of the region with wooden furniture and tiled flooring. Each room has a TV and hairdryer as well as central heating for the winter months. 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 recoup 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 .
Spanish cuisine offers a huge variety of flavours, influenced by diverse regions and cultures. From the tapas of Andalusia to the hearty stews of Catalonia each dish tells a story. Vegetarians are typically well catered for however in the more rural areas choices may be more limited, broadly speaking this holds true for vegans. Can you drink the water? It is generally possible to drink the local tap water, therefore to reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles we recommend you bring a refillable water bottle with you. Your leader will advise you on refill points each day.
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page. If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page. The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
Spain: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.
If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.
Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.
Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.
If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking. For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here
It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom. Read more information about what travel insurance is required.
Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.
You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.
We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.
On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.
Nothing compulsory but Tetanus is usually recommended as a precaution. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by on the NaTHNaC website and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.