Itinerary Details
MT Sobek: Spain Picos de Europa Hiking
Day 1 Meet in Bilbao & Hike into the Picos de Europa
3-hour total private van transfer
2 hours/2 miles of hiking with 400' elevation gain
After meeting up in Bilbao, travel west through Basque Country into the Cantabrian Mountains. After a delicious lunch in the stone-house village of Potes, explore the 6th century Monasterio de Santo Toribio de Liebana, a major Roman Catholic pilgrimage site where a relic of the Lignum Crucis (True Cross) is displayed in a side chapel. Continue to Pido and into Picos de Europa National Park. Set out along a rural dirt road and through the forest to a gorgeous view of a glacial cirque in the foothills of the Picos de Europa. Hike to your Parador, tucked at the base of the cirque—a stunning setting right below the Central Massif.
Accommodation: Parador de Fuente De
(L, D)
Day 2 Ride the Cable Car & Summit Pico Tesorero
4-minute cable car ride
7 hours/8 miles hiking with 2,300' elevation gain and loss
Board the Fuente De cable car this morning and enjoy panoramic views as you ascend into craggy peaks. At the top (6,070'), begin to climb and zigzag your way to the odd-looking Refugio Cabaña Veronica, dramatically perched at 7,628 feet. After taking in the jaw-dropping 360-degree view of the snow-capped Picos, those who wish can scramble up a steep incline to reach the summit of Pico Tesorero (8,430') where Cantabria, Asturias, and Leon meet. The views are magnificent looking out on the distinctive Naranjo de Bulnes limestone tower, the highest peaks of the Picos, and all the way down to the sea. Enjoy a picnic on the mountain before returning to your Parador. Level 3 option is a hike to Horcado Pass, also with gorgeous views.
Accommodation: Parador de Fuente De
(B, L, D)
Day 3 Hike High Passes in the Central Massif
4-minute cable car ride
9 hours/13 miles hiking with 4,800' elevation gain and loss
Return by cable car to the high trails for a big day ascending multiple passes. From the start, you are surrounded by serrated Picos peaks. Ascend a narrow path to the first pass, Colladina de las Nieves (7,385'), keeping an eye out for rebecos, the chamois of the Picos. Traverse a scree path to the rocky peak of La Padiorna (7,592'), where the views over the range seem endless. Roll up and down over Las Colladinas with more fabulous perspectives, then descend to Collado Jermoso (6,772') and its perfectly perched hut for lunch amid breathtaking scenery. On the return, ascend to Horcada Verde (7,516'), a saddle between two peaks, and rejoin the trail back to the cable car. Level 3 option is summiting La Padioma via a different route.
(B, L, D)
Day 4 Cross Vega de Liordes into the Valdeon Valley
15-minute private van transfer for Level 3 hike only
8.5 hours/11 miles hiking with 4,000' elevation gain and 4,500' elevation loss
Leave Fuente De on foot and begin a two-day classic traverse across the Picos de Europa. Climb steep but well-built switchbacks on the aptly named Los Tornos de Liordes, looking back over the lush valley and Parador far below. Arriving at the alpine meadows of glacier-carved Vega de Liordes (6,070'), pause for a picnic lunch. Cross to the Canal de Asotin and begin a gradual descent through mountain terrain and deep Asotin beech forest. Follow a rocky trail along the mountainside for the last stretch to the traditional mountain village of Cordiñanes de Valdeon. Level 3 option is Horcada de Valcabado to Pandetrave with views of the plains of Spain and transfer to hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Cumbres de Valdeon
(B, L, D)
Day 5 Hike the Dramatic Cares Gorge
10-minute (am) and 45-minute (pm) private van transfers
5 hours/8 miles hiking with 900' elevation gain and 1,120' elevation loss
Continue crossing the Picos between the Central and Western Massifs on the thrilling Ruta del Cares. This spectacular trail, carved into the limestone walls of the Cares Gorge, runs from Cain to Puente Poncebos with the river far below and mountain walls soaring thousands of feet above. Pass through tunnels and cross bridges over the gorge as you marvel at the scale of the canyon and its twisted karst folds and peaks. After the hike, enjoy lunch in Puente Poncebos and transfer to Cangas de Onis, gateway to Covadonga and the green landscapes of Asturias.
Accommodation: Parador de Cangas de Onis
(B, L, D)
Day 6 Explore Covadonga Lakes & Alpine Meadows
45-minute private van transfer each way
6 hours/9 miles hiking with 1,800' elevation gain and loss
Today's hike explores Lagos de Covadonga, the oldest area of Picos de Europa National Park and one of its most scenic corners. Walk between the shimmering glacial lakes of Enol and Ercina, then climb through karst-dotted meadows where cowbells ring and chamois move below jagged peaks. Enter old-growth beech forest and continue across open alpine slopes beneath Peña Santa de Enol toward Vegarredonda Hut. Pause at Llampa Cimera (4,800') for a rewarding mountain panorama before retracing your steps to the lakes. On the return to the hotel, stop at Covadonga, site of the pivotal 718 battle that marked the beginning of the Reconquista.
Accommodation: Parador de Cangas de Onis
(B, L, D)
Day 7 Summit Pico Pienzu in the Sierra del Sueve
40-minute private van transfer
6.5 hours/10 miles hiking with 1,800' elevation gain and 2,800' elevation loss
Leaving the Picos de Europa, head north to the Sueve Range and its highest peak, El Pienzo (3,822). Begin at El Fito (1,960') and follow a scenic trail across open meadows, with ocean and mountain views widening as you walk. Watch for grazing cows and wild Asturcon horses as you ascend to Collado Belluenzu, then continue across the grassy pass to El Pienzo's summit. Take a moment to enjoy the sweeping panorama from the craggy Picos de Europa to the blue horizon of the Cantabrian Sea before returning to Belluenzu for a picnic lunch. Descend through the ancient, often misty La Biescona beech forest, then transfer to Ribadesella on the coast.
Accommodation: Silken Gran Hotel de Sella
(B, L, D)
Day 8 Hike Sierra del Cuera & Taste Cabrales Cheese
1-hour private van transfer each way
5 hours/6 miles hiking with 2,100' elevation gain and loss
Return inland to Cabrales, a region known worldwide for its blue cheese, for a hike in the Sierra de Cuera. Start on a quiet mountain road, gradually climbing through open pastures where cows, sheep, and goats graze, and reaching a lovely viewpoint where the Central and Western Massifs of the Picos roll out toward the south. From there, follow a series of switchbacks to reach Collado Concha del Gobiu (3,488'), where a striking view of Torrecerredo and Naranjo de Bulnes awaits on the pass. Continue over rocky mountain terrain to the summit of Peña Lacia, where the views are even better. Descend to Arenas de Cabrales for a late lunch and a taste of the area's celebrated blue cheese.
Accommodation: Silken Gran Hotel de Sella
(B, L, D)
Day 9 Discover Medieval Oviedo
1-hour private van transfer
hours/5 miles hiking with 1,000' elevation loss
Take a walk through northern Spain's colorful history with Erik as your expert guide. Begin atop Oviedo's Monte Naranco and hike downhill, taking in views of the city and Sierra del Aramo before reaching the UNESCO-listed pre-Romanesque churches of Santa Maria del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo. These remarkable 9th-century monuments reflect the artistry, power, and enduring legacy of the early Asturian kingdom. After visiting, enjoy lunch, then continue into town to the 18th-century Hotel de la Reconquista, one of Spain's most historic hotels. In the afternoon, explore Oviedo on foot, discovering its elegant streets, cathedral, plazas, and lively cider culture. Gather for a final Asturian dinner in a traditional restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel de la Reconquista
(B, L, D)
Day 10 Depart Oviedo
45-minute private van transfer
After breakfast, depart Oviedo for your onward journey. Leave northern Spain with memories of limestone summits, deep gorges, ancient monasteries, historic Paradores, Asturian cheese and cider, and the rare privilege of exploring Erik Perez's beloved mountains with MT Sobek.
Accommodation: Hotel de la Reconquista
(B)
