Trekking
in Spain
8 Day Guided Trek
July 12 - 19, 2024
$3,900 /person
Single (+250)
Group Size: 6-12
Returning Travelers Receive $300 off.
With Guides Mimi & Jonas Hill
Spaces Remaining: 12
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 hike each day with minimal 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 hikers 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 walking ~45 miles over 6 days with day packs, as our luggage will be transferred each day.
We will cover rocky, steep & technical trails, as well as mellow 4x4 roads, all the while surrounded by limestone peaks, crystal clear streams, and beech forests.
Our goal is to connect with ourselves, with the landscape, and with one another through this shared experience of trekking.
We plan to have lots of fun on this trip. That might include costumes, spontaneous singing, creative art prompts, and cold water swimming!
Trek:
/trɛk/ verb
To go on a long arduous journey, typically on foot.
to walk a long distance, usually over land such as hills, mountains, or forests.
itinerary
On this 8 day trek, we will be traversing a route in the Picos that was custom designed to experience some of the best hiking trails in the National Park. We will cover approximately 45 miles over 6 days of hiking.
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 - 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 return to Sotres.
8 miles - 3,000 ft ↑↓
DAY 3 - Sotres to Arenas
We’ll return to where we ended our hike the day prior, but instead of climbing uphill, we’ll be hiking downhill through a pastoral landscape and winding our way through a forested area until we reach the tiny town of Bulnes. From there, we’ll walk along a gorgeous path in the gorge until we reach the town of Poncebos. We’ll have time to swim in the river before we head to Arenas de Cabrales, where we’ll stay for the night.
5 miles - 3,000 ft ↓
DAY 4 - Cares Gorge Route
Beginning in Poncebos, the Cares Gorge Route is a spectacular path cut into the cliffs high above the Cares River. 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
Today’s hike will take us through fields of wildflowers with beautiful views of the dramatic limestone peaks until we reach Posada Pass. 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 CabanaVeronica, 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 take the Fuente Dé Cable Car once again to begin our descent into the glacial valley of Aliva. We will hike 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 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 hikes, 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
✔ Professional guides
✔ Trip Photographer - digital photo album delivered after the trip
INCLUDED:
✘ International travel
✘ Travel insurance
✘ Personal gear
✘ Alcoholic Beverages
Not Included:
BOOK HERE↴
Photos from our Picos Trek 2022 & Mountain Running Adventure 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.