Picos inn to inn walking holiday

Reviewed 04 May 2009 by Ros Perryman

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The incredible landscapes and views on the walks! The amazing flora and fauna, saw at least 10 species of Butterfly, some of which I've never seen before in UK at least. Considering what to do about a pack of 8 mountain dogs emerging from a gate approx 500 yrds away, whilst passing their Goat farm! they'd seen us and were moving towards us across the field which was accessible to the road! However they calmed down halfway across the field and merely barked!

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Take a Spanish phrase book as there is very little (often no) English spoken by all generations. Learn some basic phrases well! Be prepared for the lack of 'los servicios' on the walks (girl thing!). Pack a few cereal bars / oat cakes as back - up's to what’s basically a meat and carbs diet! Salad is available but see what happens when you ask for it for a picnic lunch! Take a compass. Learn to read a Spanish map before you go, they are not as good a UK ones for clarity of orientation and landmark indicators. If you don’t eat red meat, be prepared for Ham being treated as Not Red Meat! Take a set of walking sticks.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

We hope so. No idea about the arrangements the operator have made with the Inns we stayed at. Was wonderful not having a vehicle and a local friendly taxi driver (Yesus) as a back-up. So yes - not driving around may have counteracted the damage of the flight! We definitely spent money on local food and goods as well!

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

We had a fabulous week, the scenery was amazing. It was our first time on mainland Spain & thus took us a while to get into the flow. We arrived on average between 4pm & 5pm at our accommodation & it seemed expected that we disappear until 8/9 when a hearty meal would be served. We got bolder asking for a hot drink on arrival when there was nowhere to go and buy one. We weren't generally shown round the inn/ hotel or given any major indicators where things were like dining room or toilets etc when going to hotels etc. Fabulous experience all round - we had snow (end April / begin May) which is unusual and resulted in adapting a couple of walks. This was ok due to our familiarity with their maps by then. The notes with the self guided walk were rather vague and misleading at times, the phrase 'lone tree' has become an anecdotal saying with us, in that on the walk in particular we spotted at least 4 trees that could be classed as "unusual and lone"! Still in general the notes were ok and paths were basically forestry commission style single track roads which it's hard to get lost on.