Walking the picos de Europa – Spain

Itinerary – Walking the Picos de Europa

Day 1 : ARRIVAL – Join Arenas de Cabrales
Welcome by your guide at the airport and 2 hour transfer from Bilbao airport (less from Santander) to Arenas de Cabrales by private bus.
You will stay in the Hotel Torrecerredo, a small family-run hotel in Arenas the Cabrales. It has a pleasant garden terrace attached to the café bar and the panoramic restaurant gives views right up to the mountains peaks. The hotel is situated in a rural setting, five minutes’ walk from the centre of the village, which is well serviced with banks, cafes and shops. The hotel’s restaurant serves delicious traditional meals all cooked with locally sourced ingredients.
Briefing in the evening with your guide about the program of the week.
Dinner included.
Day 2 : WALK – Walk the summit of Juan Robre
The walk begins directly from our hotel. After leaving the village, an ancient Roman path leads us up to the high pastures of Nava, which in the months of May and June are alive with a sea of flowers. Looking skywards it is possible to spot a variety of eagles and vultures roaming the thermals. The path leads us to the summit of Juan Robre, which rewards us with commanding views of Arenas far below and the jagged peaks of the central massif in the distance.
Breakfast, pack lunch and dinner included.
Day 3 : WALK – Pandescura Peak
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’. 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 an ancient forest to an easy river crossing inthe Casaño gorge and follow the riverbank to the hamlet of La Molina.
Breakfast, pack lunch and dinner included.
Day 4 : WALK – Cares Gorge
The classic Cares Gorge has been described as the jewel in the crown of Spanish hiking. For 12 km, 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 Spain. In places, the surrounding peaks rise over two thousands metres above the path and if we’re lucky, we may catch a glimpse of the rare and beautiful wall creeper.
Breakfast, pack lunch and dinner included.
Day 5 : Free Day
Today is free for you to visit the coast or try a spot of caving, canoeing or canyoning!!
Breakfast included – Dinner not included.
Day 6 : Pandebano Col
Walk up to the Pandebano Col with fantastic views of the monolithic peak of Naranjo de Bulnes. From here we continue up to one of the classic viewpoints of the Picos; the summit of Peña Main.
Breakfast, pack lunch and dinner included.
Day 7 : Twin summits of Mancondiu
At 2000m, the twin summits of Mancondiu are the highest point we reach during the week. Most of the walking apart from the last 200m is on disused mining tracks. The top offers fantastic views of the Central and Eastern Massifs and is a fantastic end to varied week of walking.
Breakfast, pack lunch and dinner included.
Day 8 : FAREWELL!!!
Transfer to Bilbao (or Santander airport)  airport (2h drive) by private transport to matchyour flight.
Possibility to drop you in Bilbao centre after the group transfer should you prefer to stay one night (not included) in Bilbao and enjoy the city on Saturday (Guggenheim museum is worth a visit).
Breakfast.