Hiking in the Picos de Europa

On arrival in Arenas de Cabrales, make your way to your hotel located in the centre of the village. We recommend you try the local cider on one of the terraces, visit the parish church with its Romanesque portal and paintings or head to the “Cueva del Queso” Museum, where you get a brief explanation of how the local blue cheese is made.

For a marvellous start to the week, enjoy a quiet walk along farming tracks between Arenas and Poo de Cabrales. If you want to extend your route until Humones Col, you can follow the EXT route and, if you feel up to it, walk a bit further for amazing views of the valley of Cabrales at your feet. Overnight in Arenas with dinner at leisure. Walking: 9.5-12km/5.9-7.5mi, 380-560m/1246-1837ft ascent and descent

After a short morning transfer, you will start a lovely mountain walk from Tielve, one of the most authentic villages in this part of the Picos. First you ascend to the summer meadows and cabins above Tielve, enjoying magnificent views over the Picos. You then climb steadily through a fairytale landscape of heather, old beech trees and streams to the pass at La Caballar (1240m), then down to Sotres (1050m), one of the highest villages in the Picos de Europa. Today's route also includes a walk to Valfríu, where the local famous blue cheese, Queso de Cabrales, is produced. Overnight in Sotres. Walking: 4hrs, 9km/5.6mi, 575m/1886ft ascent, 250m/820ft descent

Today there is a circular walk of the eastern Andara massif of the Picos, an area exploited by mining industries in the 19th century. After a short transfer to Hitu Escarandi, the walk begins through surprisingly varied terrain. Initially there is a steep ascent along a former mining track and along some rocky paths. You then walk around an impressive limestone peak in the heart of the massif, later following cattle trails through woods, fields of heather and pastures back to Sotres. You can enjoy exploring the strange moon-like landscape of karst, with views to the Cantabrian Sea on a clear day and spot a variety of alpine flora. There is a good chance of seeing chamois, vultures and different species of eagles. There are several options to shorten or extend the walk. Overnight in Sotres. Walking: 5.5hrs option: 12km/7.5mi, 550m/1804ft ascent, 840m/2755ft descent or 8.5hrs option: 18.5km/11.5mi, 1045m/3428ft ascent, 1335m/4379ft descent

Today you can choose from three walks depending on the weather and your personal preference. There's a 20 minute transfer (included) before a 6.5 hour walk through the meadows and beech woods of the neighbouring village of Tresviso, where the rare Urugallo, or local Capercaille, lives. A technically easy but long option (also 6.5 hours) starts with a short transfer (included) then it's up and down to the summer meadows of Áliva to 1650m through an interesting glacial valley in the shadow of the impressive limestone walls of the central and oriental massifs. Half way you can take a rest at the Hotel Refugio de Áliva, which has extraordinary views from the terrace. Or there's a quiet 2.5hrs walk through woods and fields enjoying the quiet surrounds of Sotres village. Overnight in Sotres. Walking: 2.5 to 6.5hrs, 6 to 18.5km/3.7 to 11.2mi, 300 to 755m/984 to 2477ft ascent/descent

This spectacular route takes you up to the mountain hut at Vega de Urriellu (2000m), at the foot of the impressive Picu Urriellu, also known as the Naranjo de Bulnes. You start from the hotel and first walk quietly along tracks and footpaths through the meadows to the wide saddle Collado Pandebano at 1240m. From here the climbing gets serious. A stone footpath takes you up in 2.5-3 hours to a lunar landscape of outstanding beauty in the heart of the Picos de Europa, home of chamois, vultures and choughs. Overnight in mountain hut. Walking: 5.5-6hrs, 11.8km/7.3mi, 1085m/3559ft ascent, 180m/590ft descent **Note: there is no luggage transfer today so you will need to carry your overnight items including a sleeping sheet in your backpack. **Note: The ascent to Vega Urriellu is quite exposed but a safe stretch of path. If you suffer from vertigo or are afraid of heights, we recommend you book an extra night in Sotres and do one of the walks listed on day 5. **Note: in spring and autumn it may not be possible to ascend to the refuge due to snow. In this case, you will be booked to stay another night in Sotres with walking options as per day 5. At other times you can choose to stay in Sotres tonight and do a day walk to/from the refuge (subject to weather) - 7hrs, 19km/11.8mi. A supplement applies to stay in Sotres. It is also possible to stay one less night in Sotres (becomes a 7 day trip) - discount applies.

Your last walking day will be spent on a long descent along various paths. A very beautiful but rather strenuous walk, especially for your knees, will lead you via Pandébano Col to Bulnes, an authentic mountain village with no road access. On arrival in Bulnes (650m) after approx. 4.5hrs of walking, you can either take the funicular (ticket not included), or continue on foot for another 1.5 to 2 hrs down and along the spectacular Texu gorge, to Poncebos. In the afternoon, return to Arenas de Cabrales by public bus. Buses usually run between 9.30am to 1.30pm and 5.30pm to 8.30pm (payable locally in cash, allow EUR2, or a transfer is included only when there are no bus services). Overnight Arenas. Walking: 5hrs: 12km/7.7mi, 335m/1099ft ascent, 950m/3117ft descent Another option that can be arranged locally for today is to book transfers and spend the day walking the Cares Gorge (Ruta del Cares), a long but mainly flat return walk. If you've stayed overnight in Sotres you leave town follow farming tracks up to Pandebano Pass (1245m), before descending along an ancient footpath through natural meadows and low vegetation to Bulnes, and continue as above (5-7hrs, 14.9mi or 24km).