1 – 8 of August
One of the most beautiful natural areas in Spain, Picos de Europa is a delight for hikers of all levels. We will spend a week hiking in those mountains and visit some of the most picturesque villages of the area, like Bulnes, Sotres and Cangas de Onís.
Itinerary
| August 1 | Meet in Valencia (Mestalla, parking lot on av. Aragón) at 8:00 |
| Transfer to Caín de Valdeón (8 hours) | |
| Easy hike upon arrival | |
| Accommodation: Casona de Palmira (Caín de Valdeón) | |
| August 2 | Hike Ruta del Cares (medium/low level, 12km, 200m+) |
| Optional ascent to Bulnes on foot or cable car | |
| Accommodation: el Caleyon (Bulnes) | |
| August 3 | Hike Canal de Camburero (high level, 6km, 1300m+) / easier alternative exists |
| Optional hike to Brecha de los Cazadores | |
| Accommodation: Refugio Vega de Urrielu | |
| August 4 | Descent Vega de Urrielu – Sotres (medium level, 10km, 900m-) |
| Accommodation: Hotel Peña Castíl (Sotres) | |
| August 5 | Hike Monte Camba (medium level, 14km, 530m+) |
| Accommodation: Hotel Peña Castíl (Sotres) | |
| August 6 | Drive to Lagos de Covadonga |
| Hike around the lakes and to the hut (medium level, 12km, 400m+) | |
| Accommodation: Refugio Vegarredonda | |
| August 7 | Hike Mirador Ordiales (11km, 550m+) |
| Drive to Cangas de Onís | |
| Accommodation: Hotel Capitán (Cangas de Onís) | |
| August 8 | Breakfast in the hotel |
| Transfer back to Valencia |
Lagos de Covadonga
The lakes of Covadonga are a jewel of nature within the Picos de Europa National Park, here are some of the most incredible landscapes that you have to visit at least once in your life. The lakes of Covadonga, Enol and Ercina, deserve your visit. These two Lakes of Covadonga have a glacial origin and are located more than 1,000 meters above sea level. In this place the Asturian nature seems completely intact by civilization. If you go to the lakes in autumn or winter, we advise you to dress warmly because in the proximity of the Picos de Europa the wind blows and it is very cold.
Canal Tejo
To do the Canal Tejo route to climb to Bulnes, you have to start the route in Poncebos. Once in Poncebos, we will set off as if we were going to do the Cares route, shortly after passing the bar-restaurant and the road diversion that goes up to Camarmeña (where we have an incomparable viewpoint of said canal, in the background of which the Picu de Urriellu and the peaks that surround it are majestically outlined) and before crossing a tunnel, we will see a sign marking the path to Bulnes, the Tejo canal. Some stairs lead us to the medieval bridge of La Jaya, from which we contemplate the crystal-clear waters of the Cares River and which allows us to cross it. We just have to follow the path that will lead us to Bulnes.
For many years, this was the only means of communication for the residents of Bulnes, which helps us understand how tough life was for the families who lived there.
Bulnes to Poncebos – Asturias.com
Ruta del Cares
Easily the most famous trail in Picos de Europa!
Known as the Divine Gorge, Ruta del Cares dwarfs us, fascinates us, overwhelms us with its rocky landscapes. Its trees in impossible places, its almost inaccessible cliffs, the depth of the valley excavated by the green and crystalline waters of the Cares River, under the watchful eye of Picu Urriellu (Naranjo de Bulnes). With some luck, we will see this peak in the end of the route, in the Poncebos area.
Cares Gorge – Turismo Asturias
Monte Camba
The trail starts in Tielve (Cabrales) and goes up the track used by locals to reach the high mountain meadows where their cattle graze. It’s a tough climb to La Puerta Pass in Valfrío (998 m). From there, you’ll reach Majada de Valfrío mountain meadow, which offers spectacular views of the central massif and the peak known as Picu Urriellu or Naranjo de Bulnes. It’s best to do this route on a clear day, as it’s not as interesting in cloudy weather. After the high mountain meadow, the trail turns right and continues to Majada de Tobaos mountain meadow, which also offers a spectacular view of the Urriellu Peak and Castil Crag.
Monte Camba – Turismo Asturias
The Mountain Huts
Vega de Urrielu
Placed at the feet of the mythical “Picu Urriellu “, also known as”Naranjo de Bulnes”. The shelter has 96 bunks distributed in 4 rooms with 24 beds each. Meals and drinks service is available, as well as blankets lockers, running water and toiletts. , el resto del tiempo tiene abierta una zona vivac con 6 literas y mantas. The refuge is guarded from the 15th of March to the 15th of December.
Vegarredonda
The shelter of Vegarredonda is located at the Majada of the same name in the western massif, also named massif of Covadonga, inside the Picos de Europa N. P at an altitude of 1460 m approximately. The shelter has two dinning rooms and three bedrooms and provides a wide range of typically asturian meals besides the bar service. The portering of goods for the refuge is done by horses in summer and backpack in winter. Vegarredonda is a great place to enjoy with your family the natural paradise of Asturias because it is easly accessible on a nice route.
Villages
Bulnes deserves a visit for many reasons, be it by funicular or on foot. If you prefer scenic beauty and hiking, take the classic mountain path that locals used throughout their lives. The road, appears before us and looks steep at the first change. In the village there is an unusual atmosphere, a rustic reality in which barely a dozen inhabitants are seen, and a good number of Asturian houses, many in ruins, including its parish. The town, that now sees its tourist services reinforced, has a popular bar where you can eat a good stew and other local dishes.
Bulnes, heart of Picos de Europa | Asturias.com
Sotres, the highest town in Asturias, is just 11 kilometers of sinuous road from Poncebos. Someone will tell us that here they are around 200 inhabitants, heirs of a harsh pastoral activity that once crowned the peak with no small effort. Currently climbing Sotres is no longer that kind of challenge, and once up there it is not a mythical village of huts and pastures, but a core certainly urbanized, where farmers, adventurers and entrepreneurs live together. There is a high level of hospitality, mountain guides, and a high quality of handmade products, authentic jewels of the tradition, as much in alimentary matter (sausages, meats, cheeses) as in prized objects of the popular craftsmanship that is born between mountains. There is no shortage of cheese makers of Cabrales, since in Sotres they count on a high number of natural caves for the maturation of the cheese, and that in not few cases they have obtained prizes in the official contests of this product.
Sotres, the highest town in Asturias | Asturias.com
Sign Up
The price of the trip is 750 Euros per person. 250 euros paid in advance to reserve the spot, balance due by 1st of July. This includes transportation, seven nights of accommodation with breakfast, insurance and a professional guide.
Members get a 25 euro discount.
Free cancellation till 1st of July.
The price is for a person sharing a twin room (in hotels). Two of the seven nights we are going to stay in mountain huts, rooms with bunk beds. You can reserve a single room (5 nights in hotels) for additional 100 euros.
You can use the button below to reserve your spot / get more info about the trip or contact us by e-mail to info@valenciamountainenthusiasts.com