Picos de Europa

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 Sotres, Covadonga and Potes.


Hiking

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.

Ruta del Cares

Known as the Divine Gorge, the Cares route 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), which (with luck) we will see at the beginning of the route, in the Poncebos area.

Horcados Rojos

The Horcados Rojos pass is located in the heart of the Massif Central, between the peaks of Pico Tesorero and the Torre de Horcados Rojos. It serves as a natural passage between the area of the Cabaña Verónica refuge and the Urriellu refuge (Naranjo de Bulnes), being a very frequented passage in the famous Crossing of the Massif Central from north to south or vice versa. The climb to the pass is already a wonderful excursion, as its location and altitude (2,343 m.) make it a magnificent viewpoint. Horcados Rojos Viewpoint is one of the essential excursions in the Picos de Europa National Park and is marked with white and yellow markings under the name “PR-PNPE 23”.


Villages

Covadonga

Covadonga is a true natural treasure. It unites the excellencies of Atlantic nature in a landscape of great beauty that still surprises today with its purity. Therefore, it is not surprising that it was the inspiration for a pioneering figure in the protection of nature. It has now been one hundred years that Covadonga and its mountains have been the best example for protecting the values and attractions of a unique natural environment from human excesses.

Visit Covadonga | TurismoAsturias.es

Bulnes

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

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

Potes

Potes is one of the most attractive villages in Cantabria, in the north of Spain. The village is in the centre of the historic Liébana region, an area that is surrounded by spectacular mountains, with running streams and rivers. Its old quarter has the Property of Cultural Interest designation.

It streets have many bridges, as well as buildings and monuments with centuries of history. Potes was originally the dominion of the Infante Tello (14th century), son of King Alfonso XI of Castile, and in 1445 became the property of the Marquis of Santillana and his descendants, the dukes of El Infantado. Specifically, the tower known as the Torre del Infantado, a sturdy construction dating from the 15th century –and until recently the site of the Town Hall– is one of the most important monuments in the town today.

10 photos to fall in love with Potes | EscapadaRural.com


Itinerary

August 1Meet in Asturias Airport (OVD)
Transfer to Sotres
Accommodation: Hotel Peña Castil (Sotres)
August 2Hike Monte Camba (14km 530m+)
Accommodation: Hotel Peña Castil (Sotres)
August 3Hike Ruta del Cares (12km, 200m+)
Accommodation: Hotel Peña Castil (Sotres)
August 4Hike Sotres-Bulnes (12km, 250m+, 900m-)
Accommodation: Hotel Imperion (Cangas de Onís)
August 5Hike Lagos de Covadonga (8km, 200m+)
Visiting the Northern coast (Ribadesella)
Accommodation: Hotel Imperion (Cangas de Onís)
August 6Hike Mirador Ordiales (15km, 600m+)
Accommodation: Hotel del Oso (Potes)
August 7Hike Horcados Rojos (11km, 550m+)
Accommodation: Hotel del Oso (Potes)
August 8Breakfast in the hotel
Transfer to the airport

Sign Up

The price of the trip is 2799$ per person. 25 percent (700$) paid in advance to reserve the spot.

The price includes:

  • transportation
  • professional guide
  • breakfasts in the hotel
  • picnic lunch
  • dinners in restaurants
  • photos of the trip
  • insurance

The price is for a person sharing a twin room. You can reserve a single room for additional 400$.

It is possible to sign up till 5th of July.

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


Testimonials

  • Avatar Bethany Day ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    I has a great time on our trip in Picos de Europa! The hotel was clean and had a great view and Dimitry did a fantastic job guiding us through the parks and trails. I will definitely go on another overnight or week long trip with him again 🙂
  • Avatar Marina Miteva ★★★★★ a year ago
    Wonderful 4-day hike in Mallorca!! The group was fantastic, the hikes beautiful, the pace was very accessible yet perfectly challenging. Dmitry planned everything very well.
  • Avatar Kristine Hartman ★★★★★ a year ago
    A wonderful guided hike by the master hiking guru Dmitry of ‘Valencia Mountain Enthusiasts’ can be yours!! Offered at a great price and always so well organized. Dmitry is very skilled, safe and passionate about making a day out on the trails with him absolutely fabulous!
    The Valencia region never disappoints! And Dmitry KNOWS this region. We have also gone outside the Valencian region on special multi-day hiking adventures.
    When you do these hikes you will pack a lunch to enjoy on the trail. I
    … More love that Dmitry allows us this time to sit, reflect in nature and enjoy our lunch in a beautiful scenic spot!
    Dmitry is compassionate to the needs of different levels of physical ability. First, he lists a detailed explanation of each and every hike with route descriptions, length in km, elevation gain in meters and he rates the ‘Difficulty Level’ and the ‘Technical Level’ from easy to difficult so you know what lies ahead. Plus he shares many photos of the route and scenic areas.
    My husband and I have been hiking with Dmitry for over three years now. This review is long, long overdue. His hikes really are worthy of these accolades!
    We have joined Dmitry on many day hikes, on weekend overnight hiking trips and even a five day EPIC hiking adventure was experienced over New Years 2022! We celebrated the new year on the Island of Mallorca. When we do these get-away trips, Dmitry even seeks out and books our amazing accommodations so all you need to do is join and have fun! All I can say is 5-Star treatment was given by Dmitry and many high-fives for his organizing of this Mallorca event for 9 of us hiking fanatics!!
    No matter where you decide to join Dmitry, he will drive you in a safe new nine passenger van (day hikes from a designated meeting place in Valencia). He is fully insured and follows all safe Covid protocols and restrictions during our pandemic times. Masks are mandatory in the van and in confined spaces. Most of the day hikes are right here near Valencia. Maybe within a 45 minute to 90 minute drive so your day is not all travels.
    My husband and I always enjoy sharing our days hiking with others from all around Europe and beyond. Amazing to think how so many of us are from such different places and cultures, yet have one thing in common - the love of being in nature and exploring on foot.
    Book a hiking adventure with Dmitry and his ‘Valencia Mountain Enthusiasts’ and collect a lot of great memories. You will earn them with each and every step and smile all the way back to the trail head…and forever. These hikes really are that special, as is Dmitry!

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