This hiking trip - a circumnavigation of the Picos range - takes us through the best of the Picos, giving 12 days of N. Spanish culture and cuisine in spectacular scenery.

The Picos de Europa forms the apex of the Cordillera Cantabrica, which runs the entire length of Spain's northern coast. The plateau is at 2000m and the highest point, the summit of the Torrecerredo (2648m), crowns these spectacular limestone peaks.

The lower reaches live up to their local name, Green Spain, with the lush valleys providing excellent pastures and the higher meadows bedecked with wildflowers in the spring.

The high ground above 1800m is a rocky moonscape devoid of vegetation.

There are still villages in the mountains that have no access by road; this inaccessibility and
wild landscape provide a safe haven for some of Europe's more exotic wildlife.

Bears, wolves and boars still survive here, rebeccos (like chamois) are often seen across the range, and due to a total hunting ban are not at all shy, allowing us to approach well within camera range.

The scenery, walking, hotels, food, climate and wildlife make this a great walking adventure.

It was both the wild terrain and the Celtic inhabitants that prevented both the Romans and the Moors from conquering this part of Spain. Today there is still much evidence of these early settlers: bagpipes accompany local folk dances, parched throats are quenched with cider and their mythology speaks of enchanted forests.

September is the driest period so an ideal hiking time.

And of course the mini-bus follows us around with the luggage, making our days more enjoyable with only a light day pack to carry.
And we'll see rebecco and eagles, and lammergeier, griffon and other vultures.

Outline itinerary

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A visit to the Altamira Caves - the "Sistine Chapel of Prehistoric Art" - is included in our program.

Of the 40+ caves of N. Spain Altamira, with its painted bison, is one of the most dramatic. They are presumed to have been painted by the Magdalenian people around 16,000-9,000 BC

Details of all the caves can be found here >>click<<.