Active Journeys Spain SelfSelf----GuidedGuided Hiking tour Picos d’Europa The Picos de Europa, without a doubt the most impressive mountains in all of Spain, emerge dramacally from the coastal landscape as a natural froner between the green north coast and the more arid Caslle. The heart of the Picos is made up of three capricious limestone massifs, not easily crossed by car or on foot. Here we have the best Picos walking trail. An 8-day trip on the north side, through the green province of Asturias, designed to be an enjoyable and relaxing walking holiday. The Picos support a dwindling group of shepherds who move up from the valleys in the summer with their sheep, goats, and cows. The area is famed for its piquant blue cheeses, such as Queso de Cabrales, tradionally matured in caves. This program offers a variety of landscapes to explore in the Eastern and Central Massifs, with easy or oponally more difficult day hikes, which include an ascent to the mountain hut at the foot of the famous Picu Urriellu. If you are looking for a more challenging hiking trip, a real trek, you might consider our 12-day trip which traverses the Picos de Europa Naonal Park. Tour Details Daily from May to late October Cost: $1195 per person Length: 8 days / 7 nights Fast Facts Trip Highlights • Hiking through the country without Single Room Upgrade: $325 • Easily combined with a stay in the beach luggage area of the Asturias or a city trip to enjoy Grade: Intermediate Bilboa • Breakfasts and dinners included • An area that has truly been undiscov- • Flexible program based in 2 locations Starts: Arenas de Cabrales ered and not touristy • Attractive mix of terrain Ends: Sotres (back to Arenas) • Enjoy wonderful local cuisine and wine Active Journeys Contact: 11----800800800----597597597----55945594 or 416416----236236236----50115011 Email: [email protected] Day 1 Arrive at Arenas de Cabrales. Sele into your comfortable hotel located in the village centre. Time to explore and try the local cider on one of the prey terraces, or to visit Santa Maria de Llas Church of Romanesque origin. Day 2 Circular walk from Arenas to the summer meadows of Nava, located about 500 m above the Cares River with excellent views of the Picos. If this 5,5 hour walk (750 m up and down) is too much for a first day, then we offer an alternave shorter walk through shady countryside at a lower elevaon (380 m ascent and descent). 9.5 km Day 3 Arenas to Sotres de Cabrales A er a 30 min transfer to Tielve, one of the most authenc villages in this part of the Picos where people sll make a living raising livestock and producing a famous blue cheese, Queso de Cabrales. You walk up through a fairy-tale landscape of moors, old beech woods and streams to a pass at 1240m and then down to Sotres (1050 m), the highest village of the Picos de Europa. 9 km Day 4 Sotres through the Andara Massif A circular walk through the Eastern massif of Picos that was exploited in the 19 th century by mining industries; a whimsical limestone landscape with its sharp ridges, depressions and sha s. Brightly coloured alpine flora is hidden among the rocks. There is a good chance seeing chamois, vultures and different kinds of eagles. Several opons to shorten/lengthen walk. 12 km Day 5-6 Choose from among 4 different walks to do from Sortes, depending on the weather or your preferences.. You can climb up to the mountain refuge Vega de Urriellu, located at 2000 m, right at the foot of the outstanding silhouee of the Picu Urriellu in the heart of the Central massif (5,5hrs). The Picu Urriellu is one of the most famous climbing areas in Spain because of its 500 m vercal wall and conical top. You can go through meadows and woods of the village of Treviso, where the very rare Urugallo live. 6-18 km Day 7 Along farming tracks up to Pandebano Pass (at 1245m), leaving Sotres behind. Descent along an ancient footpath through natural meadows and low vegetaon to Bulnes, a truly authenc mountain village accessible only on foot or by funicular railway (since 2001). Ride the train down through a tunnel to Poncebos or extend the walk through an impressive gorge where vultures nest. Taxi transfer from Poncebos to your hotel in Arenas. If the weath- er is not the best or you wish to rest your knees, taxi transfer to Poncebos in the morning to walk into the famous Cares Gorge. Return to Arenas by public bus or taxi. 11.5 km Day 8 Tour ends a er breakfast. What to Expect Getting There What will the weather be like? The nearest airports to the Picos The dayme temperature will be warm and sunny. In June and July, you can ex- de Europa are Oviedo and Bilbao. pect high 70s, maybe even 80’s, and cooler evenings. Sunscreen is a must during From the airports there are good the day, as is a sweater for the cooler nights. Normally it does not rain, but we bus connecons to city centre bus recommend rain gear, just in case. staons, where you can get a connecng bus to your desna- How many hours of hiking a day? on Be prepared to hike between 4 to 7 hours daily, rarely on flat terrain. The country- side is all hills. You are either going up or down almost all the me; you can be From Oviedo centre there are ascending and descending about 1000 metres a day. direct buses to Arenas de Ca- brales, though these services can- How fit do I need to be? not be booked in advance. The fier the beer, and past hiking experience is recommended and required. From Santander and Bilbao, You have the opon of taking a day off and not hiking, or only doing half the route you take a direct bus to Unquera if you want. There are many short cuts available throughout the journey, since it and then connue by taxi to Are- is based in only 2 locaons. nas de Cabrales. What are the hotels like? It is wise to book your bus ckets We use two family run hotels on this trip with comfortable rooms with ensuite and taxi transfer in advance, es- facilies. The first is a nice property in the centre of the village, with nicely fur- pecially for arrivals and when nished rooms, lounge, restaurant, garden and pool. The second is a new hotel in travelling in summer or on Friday the village of Sotres with terraces overlooking some incredible views. a ernoons. At the end of your trip, the return journey is by the same route. Bus ckets and taxi transfers can be booked in advance through our local office in Arenas de Cabrales. How to book your holiday • Contact our office to make sure there is space available. One of our travel planners will walk you through the en- tire booking process. • Download the reservation form from our website and send in the completed form by fax or email. Once this is done, your space is confirmed and a pre-departure packet will be sent immediately. • A deposit is required immediately, and final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. Terms & conditions are outlined on the back of our Reservation Form. • Plan your air travel as soon as possible. • We encourage you to purchase travel insurance, either through us or directly from a travel insurance provider. • Ensure that you are in proper health for the trip. Contact us for more information on vaccinations, inoculations, and fitness requirements. .