8-day Self-guided Mountain Trek in Picos de Europa I S-Cape Travel

> 8-day Picos de Europa Mountain Trek

Self-guided Picos de Europa National Park walking tour

Is this tour for me?

This 8‑day Picos de Europa Mini Trek follows different routes through the national park, connecting villages such as Posada de Valdeón, Espinama, Sotres and Arenas, and including the classic Cares Gorge walk.

Each day features sustained ascents and descents, best suited to hikers comfortable with moderate mountain terrain. A standout moment is the overnight stay at the Vega de Urriellu mountain hut, set directly beneath the iconic Picu Urriellu - an experience made all the more memorable as you carry only your essentials for the night. For the remainder of the trek, you can choose to walk with or without luggage transport, depending on how light you prefer to hike.

Tour Highlights

A truly unspoilt national park, rich in nature and tradition
Idyllic meadows, vast glacial valleys, rushing streams and dramatic limestone spires
A remarkable diversity of flora carpeting the landscape
Warm hospitality in remote villages, plus one unforgettable mountain hut stay

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ITINERARY

Start: Arenas de Cabrales Finish: Arenas de Cabrales

Day 1: Arrival in Arenas de Cabrales, optional walk (10 km / 6 mi)

Day 2: Poncebos - Posada de Valdeón vía the Cares Gorge (12-20 km / 7,5-12.4 mi)

Day 3: From Valdeón to Espinama (16 km / 10 mi)

Day 4: From Espinama to Sotres (17 km / 10,5 mi)

Day 5: Circular walk in Ándara (12,5 km / 8 mi + 6 km / 4 mi optional)

Day 6: From Sotres to Vega de Urriellu (11 -14 km / 7 - 9 mi)

Day 7: Urriellu to Poncebos via Bulnes (9.5 - 13 km / 6 - 8 mi)

Day 8: End of tour

Day 1: Arrival in Arenas de Cabrales, optional walk (10 km / 6 mi)

Travel to the Picos de Europa and settle in at your hotel in Arenas de Cabrales. Check out the Romanesque parish church of Santa Maria de Llas and get last-minute walking gear and special food items at the village shops. If you arrive early, stretch your legs on an optional warm-up walk. This evening, get a taste for the Picos with a bit of local blue cheese, Queso Cabrales, and refreshing apple cider.

Challenge: 3.5 - 4 hrs, 10 km / 6 mi, 380 m ascent and descent

Villages along the way: Arenas de Cabrales

Day 2: Poncebos - Posada de Valdeón vía the Cares Gorge (12-20 km / 7,5-12.4 mi)

Your introduction to the national park is an absolute Picos de Europa ‘must-hike’, the stunning Ruta del Cares. Walked yearly by thousands, this impressive limestone gorge remains strikingly beautiful. And pleasantly easy, as the route parallels a 12-kilometre canal which feeds the Poncebos hydroelectric station. After a 5-minute transfer and short steep ascent, the path levels off and you cruise the rest of the way to Caín ‘on the flat’.

From there, you have the choice of continuing another 8 km up the valley or taking a taxi to your hotel in Posada de Valdeón.

Challenge: 3.5 / 7 hrs, 12-20 km / 7,5-12.4 mi, 300 / 700 m ascent, 50 / 125 m descent

Villages along the way: Poncebos, Caín, Posada de Valdeón

Day 3: From Valdeón to Espinama (16 km / 10 mi)

Today's route starts off with an ascent on the historic traders' path, el Camín del Mercadillo, which leads from Posada de Valdeón to Liébana. After 7 km / 4,5 mi walking with 800 m in ascent, you reach the meadowlands at Caben Remoña, situated on the border between the provinces of León and Cantabria. Here you have the choice of walking straight on down to Espinama (9 km / 5,5 mi, 900 m descent) or taking the spectacular high route via Vega de Liordes down to Fuente Dé (bus or taxi 3.5 km / 2 mi to your hotel). If you have booked luggage transport, there’s the option of riding for the first 5 km / 3 mi with your bags (thus saving 500 m in ascent).

Challenge: Direct to Espinama: 6.5 hrs, 15.5 km / 9,5 mi, 850 m ascent, 900 m descent

Through Liordes: 8.5 hrs, 16 km / 10 mi, 1270 m ascent, 1120 m descent

Villages along the way: Posada de Valdeón, Liordes, Espinama

Day 4: From Espinama to Sotres (17 km / 10,5 mi)

Amble over to Fuente Dé and steel yourself for the cable car journey (pardon the pun) soaring high up into the Central Massif. Optionally, you can choose to climb directly up from Espinama following woodland tracks to Áliva Pass, elevation 1645 m. An impressive glacier moraine then leads down the Duje Valley to Sotres. At 1050 m, the highest village in the Picos makes an ideal base for unbeatable walking on the Asturian side of the range. After a long hike, the end of your route is an invigorating 150-metre ascent up to the village!

Challenge: 7 hrs, 17 km / 10,5 mi, 925 m ascent, 775 m descent

Villages along the way: Espinama, Áliva, Sotres

Day 5: Circular walk in Ándara (12,5 km / 8 mi + 6 km / 4 mi optional)

Zoom uphill on a short taxi ride into the Eastern Massif and embark on a gorgeous and infinitely varied loop in the area known as Andara. Trundling up a historic mining track into a world of karst, you make your way to a fabulous overlook at the far eastern edge of the massif, San Carlos Peak, elevation 2215m. The long descent takes rocky paths and winding cattle trails down steep slopes bakc to your hotel in Sotres.

Challenge: 5.5 hrs, 12.5 km / 8 mi, 550 m ascent, 840 m descent.

To reach 'Pico San Carlos' add: 3 hrs, 6 km / 4 mi, 500 m ascent and descent.

Villages along the way: Sotres

Day 6: From Sotres to Vega de Urriellu (11 -14 km / 7 - 9 mi)

The highlight of this trek of highlights pierces the very heart of the Central Massif as you clamber up to the hut beneath Picu Urriellu, a stunning slab of limestone and mecca for world-class rock climbers. Starting slow on local farming tracks, you wind your way up from Sotres passing happy cows and perfect stone barns to reach Pandébano Col. Next is a narrow path going up and up into a lunar landscape, home to chamoix and alpine choughs with the peak's imposing 400-meter looming above. Today you carry just a few things for your overnight stay at the refuge, while your main luggage is transported to the next hotel.

Snow can be a factor on this route early in the season. In the event the hut cannot be reached, the alternate program includes a circular walk to nearby Tielve and overnight stay in Sotres.

Challenge: 5.5 hrs, 11 km / 7 mi, 1085 m ascent, 180 m descent

Alternative to Tielve: 5.5 hrs, 14 km / 9 mi, 480 m ascent and descent

Villages along the way: Sotres, Pandébano, Vega de Urriellu

Day 7: Urriellu to Poncebos via Bulnes (9.5 - 13 km / 6 - 8 mi)

Get to know yet another facet of the Picos as you test your knees on a steep descent to the remote village of Bulnes (no road access). After a swig of water and helpful 'tapa' to keep you going, it continues to be all downhill, this time through the craggy goat-filled Teju Gorge to Poncebos. You have now come full circle, back to the very start of your trek. A splendid journey full of mental snapshots and, most certainly, an inordinate number of holiday photos!

Early in the season, today’s descent may be impracticable due to water level from snow run-off. The alternate route goes by way of Pandébano. Short transfer to your hotel in Arenas de Cabrales.

Challenge: 5 - 6 hrs, 9.5 km / 6 mi, 50 m ascent, 1900 m descent

Alternative through Pandébano: 5 - 6 hrs, 13 km / 8 mi, 425 m ascent, 1100 m descent

Villages along the way: Vega de Urriellu, Bulnes, Poncebos, Arenas

Day 8: End of tour

Your self-guide trek comes to an end today after breakfast. Taxi transfers can be arranged to the airport (Oviedo, Santander or Bilbao).

Challenge: Departure from the Picos de Europa

ACCOMMODATION

The hotels on this trip have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. Some of the hotels we work with appear here. If a certain hotel is unable to confirm due to lack of availability, we will request a similar one and inform you about the alternative booked.

Extra nights: Extra nights can be booked at any of the accommodations along the way.

Hotel La Rivera (Arenas de Cabrales)

Welcoming rural accommodation, located in the limit of the National Park of Picos de Europa, no too far from the well-known "Cares Gorge" route. Warm atmosphere and traditional decoration, with good quality services that will make your stay a very nice experience.

www.hotellariveracabrales.com
Hotel Cumbres de Valdeón** (Posada de Valdeón)

Hotel Cumbres de Valdeón is located in Posada de Valdeón, in the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park. It offers single, double, triple and quadruple rooms with private bathroom, heating and mountain views, plus a restaurant, bar and terrace. Perfect for hikers, nature lovers, and families.

www.hotelcumbresvaldeon.info
Hostal Remoña (Espinama)

Rural tourism is not at odds with comfort and style, two of the criteria that have marked the design of the rooms at Hostal Remoña. The combination of a taste for detail and attentive service to its guests, together with the presence of technological advances and the comforts of urban life, have been combined in the design of the rooms at Hostal Remoña.

www.turismoruralremona.es
Hotel Sotres

Family-run hotel, inaugurated in 2005. The rooms and terraces offer spectacular views to the Picos de Europa. They have a restaurant that offers the traditional gastronomy of the area.

www.hotelsotres.com
Refugio Vega Urriellu

Urriellu mountain refuge is located in the very heart of the National Park of Picos de Europa, just at the base of the iconic "Picu Urriellu", also known as "Naranjo de Bulnes". It has a total of 96 beds, grouped in 4 dormitories of 24 beds, distributed in 4 large bunk bed rows.

PRACTICAL INFO

This trip is also offered as a 12-day option (See trip "Picos de Europa 12 day Mountain Trek").

How do I get to Arenas de Cabrales?

The nearest airports to the Picos de Europa are Oviedo - Asturias (OVD), Santander (SDR) and Bilbao (BIO).

From each airport, there are regular bus services to the city centre bus stations. From there, you can take a connecting bus to your final destination with ALSA (timetables available at www.alsa.es).

From Oviedo, there are direct buses to Arenas de Cabrales
From Santander and Bilbao, take a direct bus to Unquera, then continue by taxi to Arenas de Cabrales

Please note: We strongly recommend booking both bus tickets and taxi transfers in advance, particularly during peak season and on Friday afternoons. Bus tickets can be purchased via the ALSA website.

Departure from Arenas de Cabrales

Your trek finishes in Arenas de Cabrales.

Travel to Oviedo by direct bus
For Santander or Bilbao, take a taxi to Unquera, then continue by bus

Airport transfers (arrival and departure) can also be arranged in advance through S-Cape Travel. Costs vary depending on the number of passengers, the airport, and the transfer time.

More information on how to get to the Picos de Europa on our blog.

Where is Picos de Europa?

The Picos de Europa is a mountain range in northern Spain and home to the country’s oldest national park, shared by the regions of Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León.

When to go?

The best time to go to Picos de Europa is late spring, summer and early autumn. During these months, temperatures are mild, days are often sunny, and snow has usually melted from the mountains. Outside this period, snow and ice can remain at higher altitudes, which may affect both hiking conditions and driving.

Weather & Climate

Month	Temperature (ºC)	Hours of sunshine	Rain (%)
Apr	8–17 °C	6 h	45 %
May	11–19 °C	7 h	35 %
Jun	14–21°C	7 h	25 %
Jul	16–24 °C	6,5 h	20 %
Aug	16–24 °C	6,5 h	20 %
Sep	15–22 °C	7 h	30 %
Oct	12–21 °C	6 h	45 %

What gear do I need?

For a hiking tour in the Picos de Europa between spring and October, bring sturdy hiking shoes or lightweight boots with good grip, as the terrain can be rocky, uneven and it often rains.. Dress in moisture‑wicking layers and always carry a waterproof and windproof jacket, as mountain weather changes rapidly. A comfortable daypack with at least 1.5–2 liters of water, snacks, sun protection, and a map or GPS is essential. Trekking poles are helpful for steep ascents and descents. Depending on the route, additional warm clothing may also be necessary.

PLEASE NOTE: luggage transport is included between Arenas and Sotres only, so on the other three walking days you will need to carry your own belongings. Luggage transport can be added for the remaining stages and is available as an option during the booking process.

Difficulty & Terrain

Moderate day walks are combined with some more challenging excursions of 5–6 hours (excluding breaks) over hilly to mountainous terrain on well-maintained, sometimes stony paths, with no technical sections. Some stages are shorter but include more climbs and descents, and you can choose shorter routes on certain days.

How to Book & Our Terms

When you make a booking, we first check availability and do our best to confirm all your chosen options. Once everything is confirmed, we’ll contact you. If something isn’t available, we’ll get in touch to discuss alternative options with you.

You can note any preferences or questions in the comments box at the final step of booking. For full details, please see our Terms & Conditions and How to book pages.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Included

7 nights' accommodation with breakfasts
4 dinners
Transfers on days 2 (to the beginning of walk in Poncebos, luggage continues to Sotres, where it will be kept until day 4)
Luggage transport on days 2 (Arenas - Sotres) & 7 (Sotres – Arenas)*
Digital detailed route notes and maps in English
Access to the trip on GUIBO navigation app
24-hour telephone assistance

* Option of add luggage transfer between all the accommodatins at the time of booking.

NOTICE: Due to the lack of availability of taxis in high season, you might need to share the taxi on Day 2 with other S-Cape clients for the transfer to Poncebos (start of walk).

Not included

Transport to first / from last accommodation
Dinners not mentioned in the "included" section
Lunches
Luggage transfers on day 2, 3 and 4 (Poncebos-Valdeon-Espinama-Sotres)
Bus and cable car ticket on day 4 and funicular ticket on day 7
Optional taxi transfers
Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.

Extras

Single Room Supplement(s)
Solo Traveller Supplement
Luggage transport on days 2, 3, 4 (Poncebos-Valdeon-Espinama-Sotres) can be booked as an optional service
Transfers from / to airports on arrival /departure can be arranged
Extra nights can be booked at any of the standard accommodations
Extra nights can be booked at city hotels in Oviedo, Gijón or Bilbao or at charming rural accommodations on the Asturian coast
Shipment of printed documents to the first accommodation

REVIEWS

23-07-2022

We were actually pleasantly surprised by the level of difficulty. We had expected the route might be too easy for our tastes, but it was a good mix of challenging terrain and mileage. Excellent value for the price! I would definitely recommend this option for travelers who are adventurous and budgets conscious.

We really enjoyed Hotel Cumbres Valdeón. The service was excellent and the restaurant deserves a rave review! The dinner waiter at Hostal Remoña in Espinama was extremely welcoming and obviously working very hard to make sure all the tables were well attended. And the dinners at Hotel Restaurante Sotres were exceptional, including a bottle of wine for each table. The two gentlemen running the hotel were very kind as well.

Katherine