Picos de Europa Things to Do

The highest peaks of Picos de Europa reach 2570 meters (almost 8500 feet), which might not sound like a really big deal, but consider that they are only 20 km from the sea. They are rugged, glacially carved, and very steep. We didn't climb these highest peaks you see in this picture, but we did get to take a pretty good gander at them from a 6,000 foot vantage point across the gorge.

Our hike in the beautiful Picos de Europa started at Lago Ercina, a pretty glacial lake sitting at an elevation of 4500 feet. From Covadanga, head up the mountain. Fairly soon, the road becomes quite narrow. Follow this road and its switchbacks for about 20-30 minutes. Try to arrive by 10:00 am so you can park at the upper lake. The trail head is not well marked. Walk along the east side of the lake under a rock overhang and you'll soon pick up the trail.

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The route that breaks through the Cares gorges is the most spectacular of Asturias. Water falls and runs all around. The route starts in Posada de Valdeón (21 km), but people normally start in Caín and finish in Poncebos (12 km). In both cases it is recommended to have a car waiting for you in the other side (if you are not used to walk too much). The other option is to do about 6-7 km from Caín to the middle of the route and then to return to the same point (as we did).

Not recommended if you have vertigo, because when you have walked some meters of the route any kind of crush barrier disappears.

The road to Caín is one of the smallest I have seen. I mean it is impossible that two cars come across it at the same time. So if you find a car in your way .....be careful with the abyss. A part from this difficulty, the way to Caín is incredibly beauty. So, if you don't like abyss mixed with cars, you can do a charming walk to the town.

Riaño Dam has only about 13 years. Before doing the dam the ancient town of Riaño was covered by the water, and its inhabitants had to moved to the new Riaño's town. So now it is the newest town in the province of Leon.

According to me the best walk is from the Mirador de Cable at the telef?rico de Fuente D? (cable mountain car) via Ptos. de Aliva to Espinama. It is a 11 km walk with a medium difficulty and it should take you 3 hours to finsh at, but you can double the time if you make as many pictures as we did and if like to enjoythe views and the lunch fully.

It descends 1000 meter which is quite much for non experienced Dutch ;-) people like us. Especially the beginning of the route in the high mountain area (1900 m) is very beautiful.

The route is very well signed, it is called PR-S2, Camino de Aliva. So you don't have to worry to get lost in the mountains and to get eaten by the vultures that circle around :-P

According to me the best walk in the Picos is from the telef?rico de Fuente D? (cable mountain car) to Espinama. It is a 11 km walk with a medium difficulty. It descends 1000 meter which is quite much for non practiced people like us (from the Netherlands :-)). Especially the beginning of the route in the high mountain area (1900 m) is very beautiful.

The Telef?rico de Fuente D? costs 6 euros per person for a one way ticket (solo ida). In 3,5 minute you will be 753 higher. Easier and faster than walking ;-)

Down and up the teleferico there are the inevitable bars and touristshops where many many tourists gather together. But once you get to walk it gets (a bit) quieter.

The fuente De cable car takes you up the shear side of the Macizo Central.

726 meters in just 4 minutes, this is certainly not for vertigo sufferers, so freya & I stayed in the cafe at the lower station.

During the season the cable car runs from 9am to 8pm, 10am to 6pm out of season. The cable car is close from mid January to the end of February