Variations of this tour
The route
The trails through Picos de Europa take you across green valleys, woodland paths and rugged limestone mountain terrain. The landscape is varied but does not normally require technical climbing skills. Most days involve between 300 and 900 metres of ascent, depending on the route you choose, while the longest alternatives have greater elevation changes. Walking times are generally around 4–7 hours, although some of the more demanding options take longer. Overall, the holiday is graded level 2, with a few routes approaching level 3, particularly the walk towards the mountain refuge at Picu Urriellu.
Itinerary
Your journey begins in the charming mountain village of Arenas de Cabrales, surrounded by green hills and towering rock faces. After arriving, you check into your comfortable hotel in the heart of the village. Arenas is a lively little place with cafés, traditional cider bars and small shops, making it an ideal spot to settle in and get into the holiday mood.
If you have time, you might like to visit the Romanesque church of Santa María de Llas or simply find a sunny terrace and enjoy a glass of chilled Asturian cider while watching village life unfold. Arenas is also a convenient place to pick up any last-minute supplies before your walking adventure begins.
Hotel (example): Hotel Picos de Europa
Today offers a gentle introduction to the beautiful landscapes of Picos de Europa. You follow quiet country tracks and woodland paths between Arenas and Poo de Cabrales, passing small farms, grazing livestock and traditional rural scenery. Along the way, you catch your first glimpses of the sharp mountain peaks rising in the distance.
If you feel like extending the walk, you can continue towards Humones Col, where wonderful views open up across the valley below. It is an excellent first day on the trails, allowing you to find your walking rhythm without tackling too much elevation.
Long route: 12 km · approx. 5 hours · 560 m ascent / 560 m descent
Short route: 10 km · approx. 3.5 hours · 380 m ascent / 380 m descent
Hotel (example): Hotel Picos de Europa
After a short transfer to Tielve, today's walk begins in a landscape where traditional mountain life is still very much alive. The village is famous for its Cabrales cheese, and the paths you follow have been used by shepherds and cheesemakers for generations. Along the way, you pass Valfríu, where cheese is still produced and matured in natural mountain caves – a tradition that certainly tastes better than it smells.
The trail continues through ancient beech forests, flowering heather and alongside small mountain streams. You gradually climb to a mountain pass at 1,240 metres before descending towards Sotres, one of the highest villages in Picos de Europa. As you approach the village, the scenery opens into magnificent mountain panoramas.
Hotel (example): Hotel Sotres
Today you venture into the Eastern Massif, where natural forces and centuries of human activity have shaped a fascinating mountain landscape. During the 19th century, mining was an important part of life here, and traces of the old workings remain visible among deep hollows, rugged cliffs and unusual limestone formations.
Your walk takes you through beautiful alpine surroundings, where colourful mountain flowers provide a striking contrast to the pale limestone. Keep an eye out for chamois, vultures and eagles, which are frequently seen in the area. If you are feeling particularly energetic, you can also tackle the ascent of Pico San Carlos for even more spectacular mountain views.
Long route: 19 km · approx. 8.5 hours · 1,050 m ascent / 1,340 m descent
Short route: 13 km · approx. 5.5 hours · 550 m ascent / 840 m descent
Hotel (example): Hotel Sotres
Today brings one of the great highlights of your walking holiday. Picu Urriellu, also known as Naranjo de Bulnes, is among Spain's most recognisable mountains, famous for its enormous vertical rock faces. After a transfer to the Pandébano Pass at 1,240 metres, you begin your ascent towards the Vega de Urriellu mountain refuge.
As you climb higher, the landscape gradually transforms into a dramatic world of rugged rock formations and sweeping mountain views. You might spot chamois moving effortlessly across the steep slopes or alpine choughs circling overhead as the towering limestone peaks come into view.
Reaching the mountain refuge is a special experience, with an extraordinary view of the sheer north face of Picu Urriellu rising directly above you. After enjoying a well-deserved break in these impressive surroundings, you return along the same route before heading back to Sotres.
Hotel (example): Hotel Sotres
Today you can choose between three different walking routes, each offering a distinctive experience of the Picos de Europa mountains.
The Urogallo Trail – peaceful forests and deep gorges
This varied circular walk explores the area around Tresviso, following trails through beautiful beech forests and mountain meadows. Along the way, you enjoy impressive views into the dramatic Urdón Gorge. With a little luck, you might even hear the distinctive call of the rare capercaillie, known locally as the urogallo.
14 km · approx. 6–6,5 h · 500 m up / 700 m down
Áliva Valley – open meadows and glacial landscapes
For a walk through gentler terrain, you can explore the beautiful Áliva Valley. The route passes through lush summer meadows and a landscape shaped by ancient glaciers. Reaching an altitude of approximately 1,650 metres, you enjoy wonderful views towards the towering limestone peaks of the Central Massif. This is a good choice if you prefer easier terrain without missing out on the mountain scenery.
19 km · approx. 6,5 h · 635 m up / 635 m down
Short circular walk from Sotres – a relaxing day
If your legs are ready for a break after the previous mountain walks, this shorter route starts directly from your hotel. Quiet woodland paths and open countryside around Sotres provide a peaceful setting for an easier day in the mountains.
6 km · approx. 2,5 h · 300 m up / 300 m down
Hotel (example): Hotel Sotres
Your final walking day offers a choice between two very different mountain experiences.
From Sotres to Bulnes – traditional mountain village life
The day begins with an ascent towards Pandébano, followed by a long descent into Bulnes, one of Spain's most isolated mountain villages. Accessible only on foot or by an underground funicular railway, Bulnes has retained much of its traditional character. From here, you can take the funicular down to Poncebos or continue walking through the spectacular Texu Gorge, where the path winds between towering limestone cliffs.
13 km · 5–6 h · 425 m up / 1.100 m down
The Cares Gorge – one of Spain's classic walks
Alternatively, you can take a transfer to Poncebos and explore the famous Cares Gorge. This remarkable trail follows a narrow ledge carved into the mountainside, high above the river and deep within a dramatic limestone canyon. With steep rock walls, incredible views and an extraordinary setting, it is a fitting finale to your walking holiday.
26 km · 6,5–7 h · 600 m up / 600 m down
After completing your chosen walk, you take the local bus back to Arenas de Cabrales, where you spend your final night.
Hotel (example): Hotel Picos de Europa
After breakfast, your walking adventure in Picos de Europa comes to an end. It is time to say goodbye to the mountains and head home, taking with you memories of dramatic landscapes, peaceful mountain villages and wonderful days exploring the trails.
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
Price includes
ACCOMMODATION
- 7 nights in small hotels – always with a private bathroom and toilet
FOOD & DRINKS
- Breakfast every day
- 4 dinners (in Sotres)
WALKING AND EXPERIENCES
- 6 days of walking (approx. 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 – digital documents 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 (on days 3 and 7)
- Transfers as described in the itinerary
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)
- Cancellation and travel insurance
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 Oviedo, Santander or Bilbao Airport
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.
We work with two comfortable, family-run hotels, offering spacious rooms with en-suite bathrooms. These accommodations have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and unique character.
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. In addition, four dinners in Sotres are included. It is easy to find both dinners and lunches for the walks along the way.
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.
This journey has difficulty level 2
Grade 2
Easy hiking on reasonably good trails. The day walks will last 4-6 hours in hilly terrain. Anyone in good physical condition can participate. Your luggage will be transported and you only carry a light daypack. Requires comfortable footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.
Read more about our grading system here.
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"
