The Best Hiking Routes in Picos de Europa

A Local Guide to the Top Hiking Trail Routes in the Picos de Europa

Find in this article a selection of routes to do in the Picos de Europa. They are classified by difficulty level and include links to download the GPS tracks.

Low difficulty

 

 

Lagos de Covadonga

Cangas de Onís, Asturias

A staple in Picos de Europa, go up to the Lagos de Covadonga and do this circular route around the lakes Enol and Ercina. It is very simple, perfect to do with the family, with stone shepherds' huts alongside grazing cows.

In rainy seasons you may encounter muddy stretches or dew in the mornings, so waterproof footwear is highly recommended.

• Distance: 2,7 or 5,5 km / 1.6 or 3.5 miles
• Elevation gain: ±200 m
• Time: 1 hour or 2,5 hours
• Track: Download the official PR-PNPE2 route here: short Itinerary / long Itinerary

 

 
Teleférico de Fuente Dé

From the area of Liébana, in Cantabria, 25 minutes by car from Potes.

Go by car (parking available) or by bus to Fuente Dé to take the cable car and climb 750m in just 4 minutes. If you go with your family, the kids will love the cable car ride. Once at the top, you can opt for a moderate route such as Horcados Rojos (described further down in this article) or go down to Hotel Refugio de Áliva, about 4 km / 2.5 miles away and take the cable car back up. Enjoy the high mountain scenery and the meadows of Áliva.

• Distance: 8 km / 5 miles (return trip)
• Altitude: ±370 m
• Time: 2 hours (return trip)
• Route: There is some signposting, but it is very easy to follow, as it is a single track. The official name is El Cable, which links the upper cable car station with Fuente Dé. When you reach the refuge, you only have to go back up the same way.

 

 
Refugio de La Terenosa

From Sotres, Cabrales, Asturias.

Although we are talking about a mountain hut, the Refugio de la Terenosa mountai hut  is very easy to access, especially if you start your route in Pandébano. It is perfect for a walk in the Picos and a drink on the terrace of the refuge, or as a first mountain experience with the family. The route is very safe and children can run freely. If you follow the path, you will reach a second hut, the Urriellu hut (route described further down in this article).

• Distance: 3.5 km / 2 miles (round trip). If you want to extend the route but not the difficulty, you can start in the village of Sotres (13 km / 8 miles round trip).
• Altitude: ±200 m
• Time: 1 hour (return trip)
• Route: Very easy, without getting lost. When you reach Collado Pandébano you can take the signposted route to the right and, on the way down, follow the path to the other side to cross a stream just at the end. The river is very useful for cleaning your boots if it is muddy.

Moderate

 

Mirador de Ordiales (from Vega de Enol, Lagos de Covadonga)

Lagos de Covadonga, Cangas de Onís, Asturias

This route takes you to one of the best-known viewpoints in the Picos de Europa, the Ordiales viewpoint, a natural balcony with beautiful views of Amieva and Ponga. This route starts at the lakes of Covadonga and is perfect for extending the circular route around the lakes.

If you are travelling with children, this route is recommended for ages 9 and over due to the ascent and some rocky sections.

• Distance: 11,2 km / 7 miles (return trip)
• Time: 5.5 hours
• Altitude: ±641 m
• Track: you can download the PR 223 track here

 

 

Bulnes from Poncebos (through the Canal del Texu)

Concejo de Cabrales, Asturias

This could be an easy route, but due to some exposed sections and the almost relentless ascent, it is classified as moderate. If it has rained, special care should also be taken as much of the route is cobblestone.

It is a beautiful route that takes you to an equally beautiful remote village, which can only be reached on foot or by funicular. Bulnes, with about 30 inhabitants, is like a fairy tale, with stone houses between mountains and forests, and a river that crosses the two neighbourhoods, the upper and the lower. It is an obligatory visit if you pass through Cabrales, and remember that you can always go up/down in the funicular.

• Distance: 6.7 km / 4 miles (outward and return)
• Elevation difference: ±421 m
• Time: 3.30 hours (outward and return)
• Route: very easy. Once in Poncebos, look for the start of the trail to Bulnes (you’ll see a stone bridge) and follow the path — it’s impossible to get lost.
   

 

Refugio de Urriellu (from Pandébano)

Concejo de Cabrales, Asturias

Another mythical route in Picos, walking to the base of Urriellu, the most emblematic peak of the Picos de Europa. This route starts from Pandébano, where you can park your car, or from the village of Sotres, adding an extra 4 km / 2.5 miles. It is a technically easy route but always uphill, 1,000m of ascent in 12km / 7.5 miles. When you get to Vega de Urriellu you can have a drink in the refuge, or even eat if they have availability. Now you have the option of returning to Pandébano or Sotres by the same route, all downhill, or spending the night in the refuge, surrounded by views of limestone formations, and the possibility of having breakfast above a sea of clouds.

• Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles (one way)
• Time: 4 hours (one way)
• Elevation gain: ±1070 m
• Track: Download the official route PR-PNPE 21 here

 

 

Ruta del Macizo de Ándara (from Sotres)

Massif shared between Asturias and Cantabria. Access from Jitu Escarandi (Sotres, Asturias) or from Bejes (Liébana, Cantabria).

The Ándara Massif is the smallest of the three massifs that make up the Picos de Europa. This route takes you through a wide variety of landscapes in the eastern massif, and allows you to discover the mining past of the area. The route is circular and, to avoid a climb on the last part, we recommend starting towards the Valdediezma beech forest. Halfway along the route you can rest in the casetón de Ándara, a mountain refuge (1,725m) with a bar service.

• Distance: 16 km / 10 miles (outward and return)
• Time: 4 hours (one way)
• Elevation gain: ±660 m
• Route: follow the official PR-PNPE 28 trail from Jitu Escarandi, in Sotres, right on the border between Asturias and Cantabria.

 

 
Ruta del Cares (Poncebos - Caín - Poncebos)

Start in Poncebos (Asturias) or in Caín (León)

The Cares Gorge is the best known route, even worldwide, of the Picos de Europa. It is not a complicated route, but the round trip is 24 km / 15 miles long and the first part, if you start from Poncebos, is a good climb. Without being technically complicated, you have to be careful because in some sections the drop to the river Cares is extremely vertical and the path is relatively narrow. On hot days, take enough water with you as you will only find bars or restaurants in Poncebos or Cain.

• Distance: 24 km / 15 miles (round trip)
• Time: 3.5 hours
• Altitude: ±600 m
• Track: Download the official PR-PNPE 3 route here

 

 

Horcados rojos

From Fuente Dé (Liébana, Cantabria)

To do this route you have to take the cable car up to the top station Fuente Dé, 750m ascent in 4 minutes.

It is a linear route to the viewpoint of Horcados Rojos, with stunning views over the Picos and beyond. It is not a technical route until the last stretch, where you will encounter a steep and stony slope. The route ends at a col, although the more adventurous mountaineers will climb to the summit...

• Distance: 11,4 km / 7 miles (outward and return)
• Elevation gain: ±770 m
• Time: 4.5 hours (return trip)
• Track: Download the official PR-PNPE 23 route here

 

 

Tresviso from Urdón

Desfiladero de la Hermida, Cantabria.

To reach the remote village of Tresviso there are two options: 30 km / 19 miles by car from Arenas de Cabrales on an uphill and winding road, or walking up from Urdón. The walking route is characterised by zigzags, which negotiate the gradient. Like more than half of the routes in the Picos de Europa, it is not suitable for people with vertigo due to the exposed sections.

In Urdón there is space to park a few cars. If you arrive and there is no room, you can leave the car in the village of La Hermida and walk along a path to Urdón.

• Distance: 11.6 km / 7 miles (outward and return)
• Elevation gain: ±780 m
• Time: 4.5 hours (return trip)
• Track: download the PR-PNPE 30 route here

 

High difficulty

 

Collado Jermoso from Cordiñanes

Valle de Valdeón, Cantabria

This route is one of the most demanding of the official routes in the Picos de Europa Park, as it covers more than 1000m in 5 km / 3 miles, and is considered a high mountain route. In adverse conditions, and especially in rain and fog, extreme caution is required. Most hikers go up to Collado Jermoso to spend the night in the refuge of the same name and come back down the following day. The views at sunset or sunrise over the central massif of Picos de Europa will make you forget the effort of the climb.

• Distance: 5.2 km / 3.2 miles (one way)
• Elevation gain: ±1,090 m
• Time: 5 hours (one way)
• Track: Download the PR-PNPE 16 route here

 

 

Jou de los Cabrones (from Poncebos)

A demanding route, approaching 2,000m of ascent and with some technical sections. Leaving from Poncebos, it climbs close to Bulnes until it reaches the Amuesa channel, where shepherds take their livestock in the summer months. The second half of the route is when it gets more complicated, with a steep climb in a high mountain setting. At Jou de los Cabrones, you will find a refuge, so you can go up and come down the next day. In high season and weekends it is highly recommended to book in advance.

• Distance: 8.5 km / 7 miles (one way)
• Altitude: ±1,780 m
• Time: 5.45 hours (one way)
• Track: Download the official PR-PNPE 18 route here

Very high difficulty

 

 
Anillo Vindio (stage of the Anillo de Picos circular route)

Access from the Covadonga Lakes (Cangas de Onís) or from Sajambre (León).

The Anillo Vindio is the easiest of the three routes of the Anillo de Picos and is designed to be done in 4 stages (3 nights in mountain refuges). You can imagine the level of the most difficult route.

It is a purely mountain route, walking from hut to hut, eating over a sea of cloud and with a perfect sky for stargazing. The routes are tough because of the steepness and some technical sections such as channels with loose stones or steps where you have to support yourself with your hands, but on a couple of days you can reach your destination before lunch, so you can rest and enjoy the place in the evening.

• Distance: 63 km / 40 miles (depending on variant)
• Elevation gain: ±3.900 m
• Route: You can consult the official route here Wikiloc | Ruta El Anillo de Picos (complete)

 

In this other article, you’ll find the official route tracks provided by the Picos de Europa National Park.