Activity Snapshot
Activity description
Dare to experience a 10-day hiking route in the Picos Europa in Asturias departing from Bilbao!
Spain is a country with something for everyone, whether you're a beach lover or a mountain lover. If you are one of the latter, the Pyrenees, the Teide peak or the Sierra Nevada will certainly ring a bell. But, to be a little more original, why not explore the Picos de Europa, in Asturias? If you're a fan of trekking, you can't miss the opportunity to take a hiking route to discover the Picos de Europa.
The Picos de Europa are in the Cantabrian Mountains, in northern Spain, specifically in the province of Asturias. It is a 600-km mountain massif divided into three massifs: the Western or Cornión massif, the Central or Urrieles massif, and the Eastern or Ándara massif. It extends through the regions of Cantabria, Castile-León and Asturias and includes important geographical features such as the Naranjo de Bulmes and the Covadonga Lakes. And what better way to discover it than with a 10-day guided hiking tour through the Picos de Europa with the Guides Pyrenäen team?
Guides Pyrenäen offers you a hiking experience in the Picos de Europa like never before. Departing from Cangas de Onís, in Asturias, during ten days you will trek through the Picos de Europa passing by the Covadonga Lakes, descending the Canal de Trea to the valley of the Cares River, also known as "la Garganta Divina" or ascending to the foot of the legendary Picu de Urriellu (2519 m) also called "Naranjo de Bulnes", a landmark of Spanish mountaineering and accompanied by two guides and with a group of maximum 6 people. An intense experience in which you will enjoy views and landscapes that you will never forget. In addition, the Guides Pyrenäen team has prepared everything to make it an unforgettable hiking experience combining stays in rural hotels with mountain refuges with breakfast and dinner included where you will replenish your strength with delicious Asturian food.
As you can see, there is nothing to worry about, everything is under control. The most important thing is that you are in good physical shape, as there are sections of the route through the Picos de Europa that can be quite intense. And don't forget, although this is a hiking trip in Asturias, if your only way to get there is by plane, your instructors will be waiting for you at Bilbao airport to take you to Cangas de Onís in Asturias, where this hiking activity begins.
Are you up for hiking in the Picos de Europa (Asturias) on this 10-day trip from Bilbao?
Day 1:
- Meeting with the instructors in Cangas de Onís or at Bilbao Airport. Those arriving at the airport will be transferred to Cangas de Onís (230 km - 3h).
- Welcome dinner and presentation.
Day 2:
- First excursion in the Picos de Europa National Park (Western Massif) to the Covadonga Lakes.
- Ascent from Enol Lake to Vegarredonda refuge.
- Accommodation in Vegarredonda (mountain refuge).
- Optional: possibility in the afternoon to make a detour to the Urdiales viewpoint.
7,60 Km / +415 m / -65 m / GZ 2h30'.
Day 3:
- Route from Vega de Aliseda to the next refuge in Vega Ario through a labyrinth in a karst landscape and just before the refuge ascent to Jultayu.
- Views of the Cares gorge, 1,440 m below.
- Night in a refuge in Vega Ario.
10,60 Km / +740 m / -580 m / GZ 4h30'.
Day 4:
- Descent along the Canal de Trea to the valley of the Cares River, "la Garganta Divina", an absolute highlight.
- Transfer to the municipality of Cabrales where we will spend the night in the rural hotel.
13,50 Km / +185 m / -1460 m / GZ 4h30'.
Day 5:
Hiking in the Picos de Europa National Park, in the Ándara mountain range.
- We start the route through the Jito de Escarandi to the Casetón de Ándara refuge after an hour.
- Rest and continue along the Horcada de las Arredondas until reaching the Pica del Jierru at 2441 metres with magnificent panoramic views.
- Night in the municipality of Cabrales (rural hotel).
17.80 Km / +1305 m / -1305 m / GZ 7h30'.
Day 6:
Excursion to the heart of the Picos de Europa at the foot of the legendary Picu de Urriellu (2519m) also called "Naranjo de Bulnes".
- Start of the hike just below the pass of Pandébano (1212m) passing the alpine refuges of La Terenosa, and then steeper and steeper up the bare slope of the Cuesta Sierra to the pass of Vallejo. The start of the trail is the challenging west face of Picu de Urriellu.
- Overnight stay at the Vega Urriellu refuge.
6.50 Km / +935 m / -95 m / GZ 3h00'.
Day 7:
- From the Vega de Urriellu Hut (1960m) we reach the Corona del Raso with a postcard view of the Picu Urriellu.
- The route continues to the Torre de la Párdida (2595m) with magnificent views of the Picos de Europa.
- Descent to the Pandébano yoke (1212m).
- Transfer to the valley of Liébana.
-Overnight in a rural hotel in the Liébana valley.
13,00 Km / +810 m / -1645 m / GZ 6h00'.
Day 8:
Summit Pico Tesorero
- Transfer to Fuente Dé.
- Ascent to the cable car of the Picos de Europa which in 3,5 min. will take you from 1094m to the mountain station "El Cable" at 1850m. Views over the upper part of the Deva valley with Potes and the steep peaks of the central chain.
- Pass the Cabaña Verónica, a silver igloo at 2325m.
- The ascent continues to the summit of Tesorero, the vertex where three provinces meet and where you can have a snack before the descent.
- Return by the same route.
- Accommodation at the Valle de Liébana rural hotel.
11.80 Km / +950 m / -950 m / GZ 5h00'.
Day 9:
- Departure from Fuente Dé (1078 m) along the narrow mining path "Tornos de Liordes".
- Arrival at Vega de Liordes and detour to continue the ascent to Peña Remoña, where we enjoy impressive views of the glacial cirque of Fuente Dé and the "Cordillera Cantábrica".
- The route continues towards Torre de Alcacero, Peña Regaliz, Tiro Pedabejo and down to Collado Pedabejo following the Canal de Pedabejo.
- Walk over Monte Quebres back to Fuente Dé.
- Free afternoon. Relaxation and packing.
- Night in the rural hotel in the Liébana Valley.
13,60 Km / +1325 m / -1325 m / GZ 6h00'.
Day 8:
Summit Pico Tesorero
- Transfer to Fuente Dé.
- Ascent to the cable car of the Picos de Europa which in 3,5 min. will take you from 1094m to the mountain station "El Cable" at 1850m. Views over the upper part of the Deva valley with Potes and the steep peaks of the central chain.
- Pass the Cabaña Verónica, a silver igloo at 2325m.
- The ascent continues to the summit of Tesorero, the vertex where three provinces meet and where you can have a snack before the descent.
- Return by the same route.
- Accommodation at the Valle de Liébana rural hotel.
11.80 Km / +950 m / -950 m / GZ 5h00'.
Day 9:
- Departure from Fuente Dé (1078 m) along the narrow mining path "Tornos de Liordes".
- Arrival at Vega de Liordes and detour to continue the ascent to Peña Remoña, where we enjoy impressive views of the glacial cirque of Fuente Dé and the "Cordillera Cantábrica".
- The route continues towards Torre de Alcacero, Peña Regaliz, Tiro Pedabejo and down to Collado Pedabejo following the Canal de Pedabejo.
- Walk over Monte Quebres back to Fuente Dé.
- Free afternoon. Relaxation and packing.
- Night in the rural hotel in the Liébana Valley.
13,60 Km / +1325 m / -1325 m / GZ 6h00'.
Day 10:
Farewell to the Picos de Europa and transfer to Bilbao airport (220 km - 3h00').
Farewell to the Picos de Europa and transfer to Bilbao airport (220 km - 3h00').
Activity requirements
This is a physically demanding mountain route, so it is important to be in good physical shape.
Special terms
The instructors propose two meeting points: Bilbao airport or Cangas de Onís, for those travelling by car, motorhome, motorbike, etc. (where you will sleep on the first day).
For those arriving at Bilbao Airport, a collective transfer to Cangas de Onís will be provided at a price of 90 euros per person. If arriving by plane to Bilbao, please do not arrive later than 15.00 hours and for the return flight, do not fly before 14.00 hours.
The prices of the excursion are per person in a double room or 1/2 double room. If you wish a single room, a supplement will be charged.
- 8 days of mountain guiding (UIMLA)
- 6 nights in urban and rural hotels with breakfast and dinner
- 3 nights in a mountain refuge with breakfast and dinner
- Cable car ticket Fuente Dé (round trip)
- Transfer
- Luggage transport
- Collective transfer Bilbao-Cangas de Onís airport and Potes-Bilbao (90,- €/person - group: 6 persons)
- Picnics
- Alcoholic drinks
- Soft drinks
- Tips
- Additional transfer costs in case of route changes
- Hiking boots
- Backpack (30-40 L) and rain cover
- .Telescopic poles (optional)
- Mountain socks
- Long hiking trousers
- Functional T-shirt
- Rain jacket/trousers (Gore-Tex)
- Change of clothes
- SoftShell or fleece pullover/jacket
- Gloves, cap, hat or sun hat
- Food, if not included in the hut stay
- Extra muesli bars, energy bars, chocolate, glucose, dried fruit, fruit
- Water bottle
- Pocket knife
- Sunglasses
- Toilet paper, handkerchiefs
- Photo equipment (optional)
- Medication and toiletries according to personal needs
- First aid kit
- Bivouac sack / emergency blanket (in case of emergency)
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent
- Hut shoes
- Warm sleeping bag (down or synthetic fibre)
- Travel towel
- Biodegradable travel detergent
- Headlamp
- Identity card
- Alpine club card
- Accumulators, batteries, charger, etc.
- Earplugs
- Plastic bags for rubbish/dirty laundry
