Settle in at your cozy hotel situated in the village centre. If you have time, visit Santa Maria de Llas Church of Romanesque origin. For walking gear or special food items, Arenas is an excellent place to do your shopping. In the evening, try the local cider on an outdoor terrace. Overnight stay in 2* hotel in Arenas de Cabrales. If you arrive early, option of doing a walks in the surroundings of Arenas.

Challenge: 3,5-4 hrs, 10 km, 380 m ascent/descent

An absolute classic from the local repertoire, this stunning route is walked by thousands each year and remains strikingly beautiful. You walk on a good footpath, used to maintain a 12km channel which feeds the hydroelectric station in Poncebos. Your day starts off with a 5min transfer to the start of the walk. After a short but steep ascent of 150m on a zig-zag trail, the path then levels off and you continue the rest of the way to Caín nearly “on the flat” (12km). From there, you have the choice of continuing another 8km up the valley or taking a taxi to your 3*hotel in Posada de Valdeón.

Challenge: 3,5-7 hrs, 12- 21 km, 300 m ascent and 50 m descent OR 800 m ascent and 125 m descent

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

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 7km walking with 800m 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 (9km with 900m in descent) or taking the spectacular high route via Vega de Liordes down to Fuente Dé (bus or taxi 3,5km to your 2*hotel). If you have booked luggage transport, there’s the option of riding for the first 5km with your bags (thus saving 500m in ascent).

Challenge: 6,5-8,5 hrs, 16-17 km, 800 m ascent and 900 m descent OR 1270 m ascent and 1120 m descent

Villages along the way: Pido or Fuente Dé, Espinama

Today you either walk first to Fuente Dé and take the cable car high into the central massif, or you climb directly from Espinama along woodlands tracks to Áliva Pass (1645m). Then you follow a glacier moraine down the Duje River valley to reach Sotres. At 1050m, this is the highest village in the Picos making an ideal base for some excellent walking routes. After a long day, the end of your route is a stimulating 150m ascent to reach Sotres! A welcoming 2* family hotel awaits you.

Challenge: 6.5-7 hrs, max. 17 km, 700 m ascent and 560 m descent OR 925 m ascent and 750 m descent

Villages along the way: Sotres

After a short transfer, you start a beautiful and extremely varied route in the Eastern Massif known as Andara. The first section follows a historic mining track, into the heart of the massif. You then continue on to reach an elevation of 2215m. Descent via cattle trails, back down to your hotel in Sotres.

Challenge: 5,5 hrs, 12 km, 550 m ascent, 840 m descent. To reach 'Pico San Carlos' add: 3 hrs, 6,5 km, 500 m ascent

Villages along the way: Sotres

The highlight of this trek of highlights, takes you up to the legendary Picu Urriellu – also called Naranjo de Bulnes – a stunning peak and mecca for world-class rock climbers. You first take farming tracks from Sotres up to Pandébano Col. Then you follow a footpath up into the lunar landscapes at the heart of the central massif, home to chamoix and alpine choughs. For your overnight stay here at the refuge, you’ll carry just the things you need for the day, while your luggage in transported to the next hotel. Early in the season, snow can be a factor. If 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, 12 km, 1085 m ascent, 180 m descent.

Villages along the way: Sotres

Your last day of walking explores yet another facet of the Picos as you traverse a steep footpath down Camburero Gorge to reach the remotevillageofBulnes(no road access). You then continue in descent through the Teju Gorge to reach Poncebos, coming full circle back to the start of your trek. 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 3*hotel in Arenas de Cabrales.

Challenge: 5-6 hrs, 9,5 km, 50 m ascent, 1900 m descent.

Villages along the way: Bulnes, Poncebos, Arenas de Cabrales

Your arrangement comes to an end today after breakfast. Taxi transfers can be arranged to the airport (Oviedo,SantanderorBilbao).