Variations of this tour
The route
This is one of our more demanding walking holidays and is best suited to experienced hikers who feel confident in mountainous terrain. The trails vary between well-defined walking paths, rocky sections and steep ascents and descents. Several stages involve significant changes in elevation, and some days are both long and physically demanding, particularly the walks through the central mountain massif and the ascent to the mountain refuge. No technical climbing is required, but you should be comfortable walking along narrow mountain paths and at higher elevations, where some sections can feel exposed.
Itinerary
Upon arriving in Arenas de Cabrales, you can spend some time exploring this charming mountain village, beautifully surrounded by steep cliffs and green valleys. You'll find small shops selling local specialities, and if you need any last-minute hiking equipment, this is a good opportunity to pick it up before your adventure begins. The Romanesque church of Santa María de Llas stands on a small hill and makes an interesting visit for anyone wishing to discover a little of the village's history.
If you arrive early, you can enjoy an optional warm-up walk of approximately 10 km through the surrounding countryside. It's a lovely way to stretch your legs after travelling and get your first taste of the landscape. In the evening, why not sample the region's famous cheeses and traditional cider before getting ready for your first full day of walking?
Hotel (example): Hotel La Rivera
The day begins with a short transfer to Poncebos, where a steep but relatively short ascent takes you to the beginning of the famous Ruta del Cares, one of Spain's most spectacular walking routes. The trail follows the deep Cares Gorge, with almost vertical limestone walls rising high above you. Much of the path is relatively level, allowing you to fully appreciate the remarkable views across the gorge and surrounding mountains.
When you reach the village of Caín, you can choose whether to continue on foot through the more undulating terrain of the valley or take a taxi for the final stretch to Posada de Valdeón. Whichever option you choose, you can look forward to a day filled with dramatic scenery and unforgettable mountain views.
Short route: 12 km, approx. 3.5 hours, 300 m ascent / 50 m descent
Long route: 20 km, approx. 7 hours, 700 m ascent / 125 m descent
Hotel (example): Hotel Cumbres
Leaving Posada de Valdeón, the day begins with a substantial climb along the historic trading route known as El Camín del Mercadillo. This ancient path was once used by merchants travelling between León and Liébana, and today it offers a wonderful walking experience through the mountains. The ascent is long and challenging in places, but as you approach Caben Remoña, the landscape opens up and rewards you with magnificent views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
From here, you can choose between two different routes. The shorter option descends directly towards Espinama, following a long downhill section. If you're looking for a greater challenge, you can instead take the high mountain route via Vega de Liordes, passing through an impressive natural amphitheatre surrounded by towering cliffs. The longer alternative continues down to Fuente Dé, where you can take a short bus or taxi journey to your accommodation.
Short route (direct): 16 km, approx. 6.5 hours, 850 m ascent / 900 m descent
Long route (via Liordes): 16 km, approx. 8.5 hours, 1,270 m ascent / 1,120 m descent
Hotel (example): Hostal Remoña
Today's walk begins with a journey to Fuente Dé. Here you can choose between taking the spectacular cable car up to the high mountain plateau or making the ascent on foot through woodland, steep slopes and open gullies. Both options lead towards the Áliva Pass at 1,645 metres above sea level, where an impressive landscape of expansive glacial moraines stretches out before you.
From here, the trail descends through the beautiful Duje Valley. As you make your way downhill, the surroundings gradually change, taking you past green pastures, rocky terrain and ancient paths that have been used by local shepherds for generations. Before reaching Sotres, there's one final uphill section. Once you arrive, you'll be rewarded with wonderful views of this small mountain village and the imposing peaks that surround it.
Hotel (example): Hotel Sotres
After a short taxi journey into the eastern mountain massif, today's walk begins along old mining tracks winding through a fascinating karst landscape. Here you'll encounter rocky paths, open mountain ridges and narrow trails that have been used by shepherds for generations.
During the walk, you'll reach a viewpoint on the eastern side of the massif, where you can enjoy an impressive panorama of deep valleys and steep limestone cliffs. For those looking for an additional challenge, there's an alternative route via Pico San Carlos. On clear days, the summit offers extraordinary views that stretch all the way to the sea. The return towards Sotres involves a long and varied descent across open mountainsides and along narrower trails.
Short route: 13 km, approx. 5.5 hours, 550 m ascent / 840 m descent
Long route (Pico San Carlos): 19 km, approx. 8.5 hours, 1,050 m ascent / 1,340 m descent
Hotel (example): Hotel Sotres
Today brings one of the absolute highlights of the trip as you venture into the heart of the Picos de Europa's most iconic mountain scenery. The walk begins along wide tracks that lead past old stone walls, grazing cattle and traditional farmhouses. Gradually, you'll begin climbing towards Pandébano Pass, where the landscape opens up and you catch your first glimpses of the magnificent Picu Urriellu.
From the pass, the route continues along a narrower mountain trail through a rugged, almost lunar landscape. With every step, you draw closer to the imposing rock face that dominates the area. Your destination is the Vega de Urriellu mountain refuge, situated at the foot of Picu Urriellu. Here you'll enjoy a truly special overnight stay in the heart of the mountains, where the peaceful surroundings, clear night skies and breathtaking scenery combine to create an unforgettable experience.
Please note: Luggage cannot be transported to the mountain refuge. You'll therefore need to carry everything required for your overnight stay. The rest of your luggage will be transported directly to your final hotel in Arenas de Cabrales.
Short route: 11 km, approx. 5.5 hours, 1,085 m ascent / 180 m descent
Long route (alternative via Tielve): 14 km, approx. 5.5 hours, 480 m ascent / 480 m descent
Hotel (example): Refugio Vega Urriellu
From the mountain refuge, you'll begin a long descent towards the small, remote village of Bulnes. Tucked away among the mountains, this isolated settlement can only be reached on foot or by an underground funicular railway. The path winds through dramatic scenery, where rocky slopes, towering cliffs and mountain woodland alternate as you gradually make your way towards the village.
From Bulnes, the route continues through the impressive Texu Gorge, where sections of the trail have been carved directly into the rock face. This spectacular walk provides a memorable finale to your mountain adventure before you reach Poncebos. From here, a transfer takes you back to Arenas de Cabrales, where you'll spend the final night of your holiday. Early in the season, snow and high water levels may affect trail conditions. If necessary, an alternative descent via Pandébano can be used.
Short route: 10 km, approx. 5–6 hours, 50 m ascent / 1,900 m descent
Long route (via Pandébano): 13 km, approx. 5–6 hours, 425 m ascent / 1,100 m descent
Hotel (example): Hotel La Rivera
After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to the Picos de Europa. You'll pack your bags one last time and leave the mountains behind after a holiday filled with spectacular natural experiences, challenging walks and memories that will hopefully stay with you for many years to come.
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
Price includes
ACCOMMODATION
- 6 nights in small hotels – always with private bathroom and toilet
- 1 night in a shared four-person dormitory
FOOD & DRINKS
- Breakfast every day
- 5 dinners (days 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
WALKING AND EXPERIENCES
- 6 days of walking (approximately 75–85 km in total)
- Detailed descriptions of the carefully selected routes (route maps, route descriptions, information about relevant tourist attractions and important phone numbers – in English)
- Access to the route in our GPS app, which also works offline (one access per person)
- Option to receive GPX files for use in your own GPS
TRANSPORT
- Luggage transfer between the hotels (except for the mountain refuge, where you must carry what you need for the overnight stay)
- Transfer on day 2
OTHER
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
GENERAL
- Transport to and from Spain
- Handling fee (€25)
- Travel insurance and cancellation insurance
- Any costs for cable cars and taxis if you choose to shorten certain walking stages. See further details under practical information.
REQUIRED AND PAID LOCALLY
- Any tourist taxes at the hotels
OPTIONAL
The following can be selected in the booking form, when you book the tour.
- Transfers to and from the airports in Oviedo, Santander or Bilbao
Use the button "Calculate price" on this page to see what the tour will cost with your wanted inclusions.
Practical information
Hiking in mountainous terrain such as the Dolomites and the Alps requires good preparation and respect for nature.
- Be in basic good physical shape before the trip
- Wear proper hiking shoes or boots
- Bring plenty of water and some food or snacks for the hike
- Dress appropriately for the conditions
- Use the provided map or GPS information (for example via the Bering Travel app) and stay on marked trails
- Bring a fully charged phone and a power bank
- Always check the weather forecast and the route before setting out as conditions can change quickly and your own safety should always come before reaching impressive viewpoints
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill out any forms. Here’s how:
- Click on the "Calculate Price" button (you’ll find it in the "Dates and Prices" section) – this will take you to the first pages of the booking form
- Select your preferred date, number of people, room distribution, any extra nights, and any available add-ons you may want
- See the price
Get a quote
If you would like a flight included, or changes made to the trip, you can request a customized offer by clicking the "Get Quote" button at the top of the page. Remember to describe in detail what changes you would like.
The booking process
When you book the trip, we will begin booking hotels and arranging all the practical aspects of your tour. This process typically takes 5–8 working days, but in some cases it may take longer for certain bookings. If you arrange your own transportation, we recommend waiting until we have confirmed your booking before making any arrangements.
Dates
If you can select a date in the trip calendar (in the booking form), then this is a possible start date. We regularly update our trips with sold-out dates; these dates will then appear in red/grey and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Santiago de Compostela are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
For this holiday, the easiest airports to fly to and from are Oviedo/Asturias, Santander or Bilbao.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
Local transport
From Santiago Airport it is possible to reach Arenas de Cabrales by public transport. You can get an overview of the available options via the following links:
Oviedo/Asturias to Arenas de Cabrales: Rome2Rio
Bilbao to Arenas de Cabrales: Rome2Rio
Santander to Arenas de Cabrales: Rome2Rio
Transportation from the Airport
We can arrange transfers to and from the airports in Oviedo/Asturias, Santander or Bilbao. These can be selected when you book your holiday.
On this trip, you will spend 6 nights in small, family-run hotels with en-suite bathrooms, and 1 night in a mountain hut where accommodation is in a 4-bed dormitory.
In the daily itinerary, you can see the hotels we normally use for this tour. If any of the listed hotels are not available, we will book accommodations of equivalent quality.
Breakfast is included every day.
There are 5 dinners included: day 2,3,4,5 and 6.
The first and last night, along with lunches should be found locally.
Note: If you are travelling at the beginning or end of the season, some restaurants in the area may be closed. This applies to all tours.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
Some days it is possible to shorten the walks, and listed below is our sugesstions if this should be of interest.
- On day 2, you can take a taxi from the end of the Ruta del Cares (Cain) to your hotel in Posada de Valdeón. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes and costs around €35 pr. car.
- On day 4, you can take the Fuente Dé cable car, which costs €17 per person. You can either walk or take a 10-minute taxi ride to the cable car. This way, you avoid walking from Espinama to Áliva. Simply take the cable car up to Áliva and continue your hike from there towards Sotres.
- On day 7, once you are in Bulnes, you can either continue on foot to Poncebos or take the Funicular de Bulnes directly to Poncebos (approximately €18 per person).
Prices might vary a little locally.
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive your hotel list and the final digital travel documents.
Digital documents
On this trip, all travel documents are digital. This means, for example, that you will need to attach your own luggage tags (with your name on them), and that the route descriptions are provided digitally in our walking app.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
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When you book a trip with us, we plant a tree in Kenya.
Bering Travel partners with Growing Trees Network, which has been planting trees in Kenya since 2020 in collaboration with Seniorer uden Grænser (Seniors Without Borders). The trees are planted with small-scale local farmers in the Mount Kenya region, as well as at schools, where the fruit helps supplement students’ diets and is incorporated into their learning.
The trees are planted using the shamba method – a sustainable approach that combines reforestation with agricultural crops. This keeps the soil covered with vegetation throughout the year, helping to prevent nutrient loss and reduce erosion.
The contribution to tree planting comes directly from Bering Travel’s own earnings and is not added to the price of your trip.
This initiative is not intended as a carbon offset for travel, but as a way to make a positive contribution.
"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"
