Mountain Running in Spain
8 Day Guided Run
August 10 - 17, 2024
$4,500 /person
Single (+250)
Group Size: 6-12
Returning Travelers Receive $300 off.
With Guides Mimi & Jonas Hill
In Collaboration with Mercuria Running
Spaces Remaining: 9
Bienvenidos
WELCOME
W
e like to consider the Picos de Europa to be a hidden gem of Spain, and quite frankly, all of Europe. The National Park spans three different regions of Northern Spain and sits just a few kilometers from the coast of the Atlantic ocean. It is comprised of massive limestone massifs, rolling green valleys, and gorges carved by centuries of flowing water. The villages are humble and charming, and most neighbors are grazing animals. You’ll find yourself in awe at the geological features this park so effortlessly displays.TRIP ESSENCE
This small corner of Spain is one of our favorite places on this planet. The mountains are rugged, the trails are wild, and the culture is vibrant and kind. We’ll have the opportunity to stay in small mountain towns where life is more simple and nature feels a bit closer.
This trip has been designed so that we can run each day without the use of a car! It is a hut-to-hut style trip except our lodging will be at hotels instead of refuges.
All levels of runners are welcome! This is a pace inclusive trip and we will try our best to accommodate the pace needs of the group. We will be running ~60 miles over 6 days with trail vests, as our luggage will be transferred each day.
We will cover rocky, steep & technical trail, as well as mellow 4x4 roads, all the while surrounded by limestone peaks, crystal clear water, and beech forests.
Our goal is to connect with ourselves, with the landscape, and with one another through this shared experience of trail running.
We plan to have lots of fun on this trip. That might include costumes, spontaneous singing, creative art prompts, mountaintop yoga, and cold water swimming!
Mountain Running:
We reference this trip as a “mountain running” trip because running in the mountains oftentimes looks a lot different than running on roads or on less-technical trails. Mountain running can include steep, technical, and rocky terrain, therefore moving through this terrain includes many different forms. Sometimes we’re moving fast with small rapid steps, sometimes we’re using our poles on steep inclines, sometimes we’re side-stepping piles of cow poop in a field! Mountain running holds an element of adventure that brings a little bit of extra freedom into the act of running and that’s why we love it.
itinerary
On this 8 day trail running trip, we will be traversing a route in the Picos that was custom designed to experience some of the best running trails in the National Park. We will cover approximately 60 miles over 6 days of running, with a built in active rest day. This trip also includes professional form coaching prior to and during the trip with a custom training plan.
DAY 1 - Arrival Day
We will meet you at the Santander Airport! From there, we will drive into the mountains to our first night’s accommodation in Sotres. We will get settled, have a welcome talk, and enjoy our first shared meal together.
DAY 2 - Sotres
Our first day on the trail, we will kick things off with a beautiful loop from Sotres. We’ll climb our way up into the Eastern Massif towards Regufio Casetón de Ándara before we loop back to town.
10 miles - 2700 ft ↑ 2700 ft ↓
DAY 3 - Pico Urriellu
The trail takes us from the town of Sotres high into the mountains, to the base of Pico Urriellu, where we will relax in the beautiful alpine meadow and enjoy lunch with a view before we continue down towards the Cares Gorge and the small riverside town of Poncebos.
14 miles - 3,500 ft ↑ 6,000 ft ↓
DAY 4 - Active Recovery Day - Cares Gorge Route
The Cares Gorge Route is a spectacular path cut into the cliffs high above the Cares River. Today we will slow things down as we take in the incredible scenery and let our legs recover from yesterday’s big day. We will end in the town of Cain where we’ll have access to the river and have the afternoon to take it easy!
7.5 miles | 700 ft ↑ 200 ft ↓
DAY 5- Posada de Valdeón to Fuente Dé
The trail will ascend out of town towards Posada Pass where we will run through fields of wildflowers and have beautiful views to the north of the dramatic limestone peaks. From the pass, we will wind our way down into the incredible mountain cirque that encircles Fuente Dé. We’ll have time to settle in and share dinner at the hotel.
8.5 miles | 2,800 ft ↑ 2,800 ft ↓
DAY 6 - Fuente Dé Loop
We will ride the Fuente Dé Cable Car up to our trailhead. The rocky and moon-like alpine landscape will lead us up to Horcados Rojos Pass, where we will have an opportunity for a mountain summit. We’ll stop at Cabaña Veronica, a small mountain refuge, for cold drinks before we head back down. This day will have various options for the group depending on if you’re looking for a longer or shorter day. We’ll end back at the hotel with free-time and dinner at the hotel restaurant.
8.5 miles | 2,800 ft ↑ 2,800 ft ↓
DAY 7 - Fuente Dé to Sotres
We’ll ride the Fuente Dé Cable Car once again to begin our descent into the glacial valley of Aliva. We will run along old shepherd’s roads as we finally loop back to the town of Sotres. As our trip comes to a close we will head back to Santander and celebrate with a banquet dinner and cheers to an incredible trip.
8 miles | 1,000 ft ↑ 3,800 ft ↓
DAY 8 - Departure Day
Departure from the Santander Airport with a bittersweet farewell!
On this trip, we will be staying in mostly smaller and locally owned hotels. All towns that we will stay in are quite small and quaint, besides our final night in the city of Santander.
Lodging
Towns
Our Lodging:
Sotres
Arenas de Cabrales
Cain
Fuente De
Santander
On this trip, we will set out on daily adventures into the mountains. Besides our running and hiking time, we encourage each participant to make time for creative pursuits- whatever that might look like for you! We like to bring watercolor kits along on our outings, make sketches, write and read poetry, and we’re big fans of the occasional costume.
Activities
WEATHER
Due to it’s proximity to the ocean, the weather in the Picos can oftentimes be unpredictable. Because of this, appropriate gear and positive attitudes are necessary! One moment it might be foggy and drizzling and the next moment the sun might shine through to reveal a rainbow. It is all a part of the experience of this beautiful mountain range!
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP?
✔ All lodging: 7 nights stay in charming hotels
✔ All meals: local & delicious
✔ All in-trip transportation
✔ All in-trip activities
✔ Daily luggage transfers
✔ 3 month custom training plan & online coaching
✔ On-trip form coaching
✔ Professional guides
✔ Trip Photographer - digital photo album delivered after the trip
INCLUDED:
✘ International travel
✘ Travel insurance
✘ Personal gear
✘ Alcoholic Beverages
Not Included:
Collaboration: Mercuria Running
Mercuria Running is a running coaching company based in Denver, Colorado. They specialize in form coaching, training plans, and online coaching for runners of all levels and all ages.
With a creative approach to training, running , and racing, they strive to build proper form, fitness, confidence, positive mental strategies, and most importantly: fun!
A word from Mercuria coaches:
“We, at Mercuria Running, are excited to partner with Blue Sky Trekking to create a unique experience that fosters moments of serendipity, creative energy, reflection and opportunities for connection through the joy of movement. It’s all about practicing presence, enjoying the process and building confidence in yourself. We’ll encourage you to join us in owning your weird in the majesty of the Picos!”
On this trip, we are welcoming people within the range of fit hiker to elite mountain runner.
Meet our coaches below!
Mercuria Coaches Brittany, Jenni, and Keri-Ann
JENNI NETTIK
Jenni Nettik founded Mercuria Running in 2012. She’s a life-long lover of the outdoors -- growing up in Montana, running, hiking, and camping. Jenni has a background in the arts, she attended art school at Carnegie Mellon University where she gained a strong appreciation for contemporary art, conceptual art and art installations. Prior to starting Mercuria Running, Jenni taught art for 10 years all across the country -- from Texas to Boston to Colorado.
Becoming a running coach was a natural transition for Jenni, she’s been a runner her entire life. Her first memory of running was racing at recess in first grade. When she beat all the boys, she knew she must be fast, and started training by running laps around the park in her backyard & “coaching” her classmates after school on a team they named “Runners for Fun”.
Jenni ran her first marathon, the Vermont City Marathon, in 2006. While training for the race she combined her love of art and running by documenting the process with a small painting for each training run, drawing a parallel between the practice that goes into both art and sport.
As a coach, Jenni draws from her unique background to keep running fun. She encourages athletes to keep running in perspective -- while building mental strategies, healthy form, consistency and intention. Jenni works with all levels of athletes from beginners to elite.
TRAINING PLANS:
Included in your trip, you will receive a 3-Month Custom Training Plan with online coaching that will be catered to the elevation and mileage of the trip.
Our goal is to safely get you to a fitness level that will help you feel ready for adventure!
Training plans include:
Online access from anywhere
Effort and/or personalized pace charts
Mental strength drills
Dynamic routines
Strength exercises
Descriptions of types of runs
Speedwork (if desired)
Online coaching with Coach Jenni, Coach Brittany, Coach Keri-Ann or another Mercuria coach
Paired with your training plan, get weekly support from your coaches 2-3 times per week, plan adjustments as needed, and…
- Basic fueling help
- Trail running tips & tricks
- Adjustments for your personal fitness and abilities
BOOK HERE↴
Photos from our Mountain Running Adventures 2023:
POLICIES:
A deposit of 30% of the total trip price will be due upon enrollment.
The remainder of the payment will be due 90 days prior to trip departure.
A minimum of 6 participants must enroll in order for the trip to operate.
See more trip policies here.