Picos inn to inn walking holiday in Spain

A tailor made, self-guided walking holiday from inn to inn through the Picos de Europa mountains, Spain’s biggest and best kept secret.

Picos de Europa National Park Potes Liebana Valley Cable car ride into mountain peaks High mountain pass walk from Liebana to Valdeon Cares Gorge

Price

£1300 excluding flights

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Duration

8 Days

Type

Tailor made

Reviews

More info

Price pp based on 2 in twin/double .
Includes private transfers to and from Santander (other arrival points available on request at additional charge); arrival briefing, luggage transfers; most meals; detailed walking notes, maps & local information.

Description of Picos inn to inn walking holiday in Spain

Picos de Europa - beautiful mountain scenery - charming village inns - ancient pathways - varied walking, inn to inn - self-guided walks - welcome briefing - local support - luggage transfers

Pause the everyday and enjoy the stunning Picos de Europa mountains as you explore step-by-step. Pass through peaceful forests, along a dramatic gorge pathway and across high pastures below a curtain of mountains.

Soaring vultures and the clang of cowbells accompany you as you traverse all three provinces of the area - Leon, Asturias and Cantabria. Days are well-paced, with maps and walking notes provided. Your bags are transported ahead of you each day to await your arrival.

Suitable for most active travellers who enjoy a good hike. There are opportunities to shorten some walks or take a break mid-way through should you wish. Your efforts will be very well rewarded in the Picos.

Itinerary

Day 1:	Arrive and explore. Your guide will meet you at the airport, port or railway station today and drive you to the Picos de Europa massif. Settle into your comfortable hotel, overlooking the mountains, where you have a chance to go over your week's walking. With just one departure per day on this exclusive route, you travel at your own pace with our detailed notes and maps.
Day 2:	Hike in meadows and woods. Today’s walk takes you through pretty meadows, down to the medieval town of Potes, then up a valley of oak forest to your next inn, where your bags will be waiting. Walk 15km, 6hrs, up 700m, down 900m.
Day 3:	Walk through some of the most remote parts of the Liebana Valley. Passing through villages, crossing meadows full of flowers to the valley floor, with an optional detour to summit nearby Pico Jano. Walk 14km, 6hrs, up 880m, down 740m.
Day 4:	Walk through riverside beech forests and high pastures as vultures soar overhead. By now you are walking along the main Liebana Valley as it narrows towards the huge amphitheatre at Fuente Dé. Walk 15km, 6hrs, up 1,100m, down 750m.
Day 5:	Relax today, set out to explore your surroundings or take the cable car to the high mountains and walk to the Horcados Rojos summit for amazing views. Optional walk 12km, 5hrs, up 550m, down 550m
Day 6:	Cross a high mountain pass into a hidden valley. Change provinces today as you walk from Liebana in Cantabria over to Valdeon in Leon. Hike to the pass at 1,780m, where can enjoy wonderful views of the mountains and surrounding valleys, then down through pastures to your next hotel. Walk 15km, 6hrs, up 750m, down 800m.
Day 7:	Walk the Cares Gorge. Having hiked through the valleys of Liebana and Valdeon, the last day's hiking takes you through one of the most famous walks in Spain: the Cares Gorge. Follow the path carved out of the rock, with the river far below you and the high mountains above. Walk 22 km, 6hrs, up 160m, down 900m.
Day 8:	Return home, or continue exploring along the coast or into La Rioja. At a time to suit you are collected for the private transfer back to the airport, port or railway station today for your onward journey.

Price information

£1300 excluding flights

Convert currency:

Contact Us

If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one, we're very happy to help

01273 823 700

Call us until 5.30pm

Calling from outside the UK rosy@responsibletravel.com

Departure information

May to October departures

Contact Us

If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one, we're very happy to help

01273 823 700

Call us until 5.30pm

Calling from outside the UK rosy@responsibletravel.com

Travel guides

2 minute summary Best time to go

Walking in Spain unearths the secret scenery, delicious cuisine and captivating wildlife known only to the Spanish. Coastal trails, high ridges and wo...

2 minute summary Best time to go

Picos de Europa National Park is where Spain comes alive with jagged limestone turrets thrusting skywards whilst mile deep canyons and unexplored subt...

Holiday information

Our top tip:

Brush up your Spanish – you are heading into truly magnificent rural Spain. So, “tu país es asombroso” is a good start.

Trip type:

Self-guided, tailor made.

Activity level:

Definitely not a walk in the park but pretty strenuous with 12-20km/day.

Accomm:

Small rural hotels and B&Bs.

Included:

Accommodation, most meals, luggage transfers, walking notes, maps and airport transfers.

Solos:

Solos welcome. Surcharge for single room.

Reviews

9 Reviews of Picos inn to inn walking holiday in Spain

4.5 out of 5 stars

SHOW

Reviewed on 04 Jul 2019 by Nancy Alexander

The most memorable part of the holiday the challenges of the daily hikes through spectacular and varied topography and scenery Read full review

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2019 by Malinka van der Gaauw

It was a great holiday to recharge mental batteries and feel close to nature at its best. Read full review

Reviewed on 05 Jun 2019 by Sharon Downes

We absolutely loved every minute. We considered it a privilege to be allowed to experience the different landscapes and habitats in such a private and personal way. Read full review

Reviewed on 01 Mar 2019 by Cory Byard

Most memorable were the arranged tours of the cork insulation factory, cooking class, hand-made tile company. Read full review

Reviewed on 13 Jun 2018 by Sue Kuntz

¡Maravilloso!...The Cares Gorge -- it rivals sites like Machu Picchu, the Grand Canyon, etc. Read full review

Reviewed on 17 Sep 2018 by Alex Zaslavsky

The Cares gorge was just unforgettable - both picturesque and a little frightening. Read full review

Reviewed on 21 Sep 2016 by Dorothy Earnshaw

The Picos mountains are wonderful, we enjoyed every aspect of the trip. The hotels were varied and all excellent as was the food. Read full review

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2013 by Mike Muir

We couldn't fault it. As an introduction to a new area, it was faultless. It felt as if we were in a very remote corner of the world! Our most interesting night was in a rural farm which has been in the same family for 400 years. Read full review

Reviewed on 29 May 2013 by Dave Hill

A good holiday with some hard days walking - very fulfilling Read full review

Responsible Travel

As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing it will help support the places and people that you visit, and the planet. Read how below.

Planet and people

Part of what makes the Picos so special is the preservation of a simple rural way of life in remote villages. During this holiday you walk from small village to small village on a unique route. Indeed, our guide Diego Martin, has to go out with his machete to clear the path from time to time. All restaurants and hotels are small and locally owned. We book directly, ensuring maximum benefit for local communities.

You walk independently but you are met by a guide at the airport who talks to you about the area on your arrival day. We send you lots of information about your destination before you leave – guidebooks, maps, local information, etc. Because you travel as an informed tourist, you get more from your holiday and you will know how to minimise the environmental impact of your visit.

Picos inn to inn walking holiday in Spain