An Active Holiday In Spain

Meeting at Asturias airport we then drive by minibus to the small village of Benia de Onis for our first night. This evening there is an opportunity for us to enjoy a relaxing spa (not included).

Accommodation: Hotel Maria Manuela

Departing Benia de Onis this morning we drive to Covadonga, the site of the first significant victory by the Christians over the occupying Moors in the 8th century. We pay a visit to the town's Catholic Basilica, before then driving on to the Lagos Covadonga. Lying in the western massif of the Picos de Europa National Park or 'El Cornion', these glacial lakes provide us with a beautiful backdrop for today's hike up to the Vegarredonda Refuge (1,460 metres). Following our walk we then drive on to Sotres, at 1,045 metres the highest village in the Picos National Park. Walking time: four hours. Distance: 10 kilometres.

Accommodation: Casa Cipriano Hotel

The Picos de Europa National Park boast the highest, and arguably, the most spectacular mountain landscapes in the whole of Spain. This morning we explore the eastern massif or Andara Range on a walk from Sotres to Collada de Antesoles and up to Refugio Andara (1,700 metres). From the high-point of our climb we then descend to Jito de Escarandi (1,291 metres), from where we return to Sotres by bus. Walking time: five hours. Distance: 8 kilometres.

Accommodation: Casa Cipriano Hotel

Today we walk from Sotres to Espinama, lying at the southern edge of the Picos, through valley systems that bisect the central and eastern massifs. We begin the day walking up the Teju Valley, before following part of the course of the Nevandi River down to the village of Espinama, where we spend the night. The trail today takes us from a little over 1,000 metres and up a 500 metres incline, offering us some great views across the Picos before we descend back into the valley. Our luggage for an overnight stay will be
transported on to Espinama by car. Walking time: five hours. Distance: 18 kilometres.

Accommodation: Posada Casa Maximo

After breakfast this morning we drive the short distance to Fuente De, where we take the cable car up the start of today's walk. The 900 metres ride to the upper station is said to be the longest unsupported cable ride in the world, lifting us out the giant rock amphitheatre that is Fuente De, to reach the alpine meadows that sit perched some 1,834 metres above the valley below. From here we can see out across the beautiful Liebana Valley and, as we trek through the open spaces of the Aliva Valley we enter a world that is home to chamois, eagles and even wolves.Walking time: five hours. Distance: 18 kilometres.

Accommodation: Casa Cipriano Hotel

Starting from Sotres we walk this morning to the small village of Pandebano (1,212 metres), the site of another clash between the Christian armies and the Moors in 718 AD. From here we then head down to Bulnes, where we stop for lunch. Until the 2001 underground funicularwas built, Bulnes was an isolated and picturesque high mountain village that was only accessible by foot. This afternoon sees us heading into the dramatic landscapes of the Texu Gorge and on to Puente Poncebos (218 metres), where we rendezvous with our transport for the short drive back to Sotres. Walking time: five hours. Distance: 12 kilometres.

Accommodation: Casa Cipriano Hotel

This morning we drive back down to Puente Poncebos, to where its medieval bridge spans the Cares River. This marks the starting point for our walk through the stunning Garganta del Cares, a dramatic gorge that drops over 1,000 metres and stretches for some 12 kilometres. Today's walk is a low altitude hike, so will not require us to use snow shoes. It is however considered one of the highlights of any visit to northern Spain and our path takes us along a traverse that has literally been blasted out of the canyon walls. Walking time: six to seven hours. Distance: 24 kilometres.

Accommodation: Casa Cipriano Hotel

We drive back to Asturias Airport today, where our tour ends.