Walking the Picos de Europa

Day 1  Bilbao          
Arrive in Bilbao and transfer to the small town of Arenas de Cabrales, your base for the next seven nights.          

Day 2  Arenas de Cabrale      
Walking directly from your hotel, follow an ancient Roman path eventually leading to the high pastures of Vanu. Keep your eyes peeled for eagles and vultures circling overhead, before the path leads to a platform with commanding views of the jagged peaks of the Central Massif. Later, descend and walk to the village of Caraves.          

Day 3  Mount Pandescura          
Start the day with a short road transfer to Canales. Begin walking along quiet farm tracks before a short climb to Collado de los Buitres. Make your way through open terrain, before slowly ascending the Pandescura Peak where you’ll take lunch and admire superb views of the Western Massif peaks. After, descend through verdant landscape to the village of Bovia.          

Day 4  Cares Gorge          
Cares Gorge is one of Spain’s most popular treks. Originally built in the 1940s as part of a hydroelectric scheme, this engineered pathway is surrounded by spectacular peaks rising 2,000m above you. The walk today is long, but quite gentle, eventually reaching the village of Cain where you’ll take lunch. Then follow the beautiful pathway back to Puente Poncebos and try to spot the elusive wallcreeper bird on the way.          

Day 5  Arenas de Cabrales      
Today is free to either relax at the hotel or take an optional excursion. Your tour leader will help you organise your day with options including canyoning, canoeing or coastal walking.  

Day 6  Pandebano Col          
Transfer to the village of Tielve and ascend into the main range eventually summiting Pena Main, one of the Picos classic viewpoints. Continue to Pandebano Col before making your way down the narrow tracks. Today is a challenging but rewarding day where you’ll reach an altitude of 1,600m.        

Day 7  Twin Summits of Mancondiu  
Your last walking day culminates with the highest point on the tour. Weave your way up the mountain via a number of disused mining tracks before reaching the summit of Mancondiu at 2,000m. Take time to enjoy the view and reflect on a wonderful week of walking.  

Day 8  Arenas de Cabrales      
Your tour ends in Arenas de Cabrales this morning.