• Picos de Europa - Spain's greener side

• 18 - 25 September

• £560

• 8 days: 6 days single-centre-based, guided walking in the Picos de Europa, Spain. Average: length 6-7 hrs, altitude gain 700m.   

• Majestic and rugged peaks rising abruptly above the Atlantic coast
• Impressive limestone valleys and cliffs in a fascinating karstic landscape
• Home to Europe’s most impressive fauna and flora in Spain’s first National Park including the wolf, bear and chamois
• Varied guided walking that allows you to experience the high mountains without being overly challenging
• Great guest house full of local character

• Full board accommodation at Casa Gustavo, a 500 year-old farmhouse converted to a friendly and informal guesthouse

1. Pick up from Santander (possibility of transfer from Bilbao—please check before booking) and all transport for the week, guided walks led by your host and    mountain leader Mike Stuart, accommodation at Casa Gustavo with en-suite rooms, breakfast, packed lunches and 3-course dinner with wine.

1. Travel between the UK and Santander, lunches on the day of arrival and departure, any excursions or entrance fees

Walks

For the most part the guided walks are centred around the moderate/challenging grade. Some days can be varied to allow for easier or more challenging walks. A reasonable level of fitness is required along with a good head for heights and surefootedness. Paths in the Picos de Europa are generally good though sometimes rugged and stoney and on mountainous terrain. 

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome at Santander airport and transfer to Casa Gustavo in the Picos de Europa

Day 2 - Pico Jano

A gentle introductory walk with an ascent of 500m through oak woods, interspersed with open glades. The summit affords stunning 360° views of the Cantabrian mountains, the valley of Liébana and the eastern massif of the Picos de Europa. Adding to the interest are the remains of an ancient fort and the opportunity for a dip in a lake.

Day 3 - Salarzón

From this scenic village lying under the prominent landmark of Peña Ventosa (windy peak), we walk up through well-established, indigenous Holm and Pyrenean oakland rich in birdlife. An ascent of 600m brings us to open heath and pasture with views of the old market town of Potes in the distance below.

Day 4 - Fuente De - Pico Padiorna

Today we cheat and catch the cable car to take us high into the heart of the Picos de Europa. Our goal, Pico Padiorna, 2,319m, may involve a little scrambling but with the option of resting and communing with the dare-devil Alpine choughs or, if you're lucky, Snow voles, if you don't want to make the summit with its views down into the hidden valley of the Vega de Liordes.
Ascent - 500m.

Day 5 - The Cares Gorge

Probably the best-known of the walks in the Picos de Europa, an earlyish start and an hour's drive take us to the start of the walk at Poncebos in the western massif of the Picos. From here a gentle incline to begin with takes us into the gorge proper, the clear blue-green waters of the River Cares below. The track levels out with breathtaking views of limestone peaks above. We should meet friendly goats and witness Griffon vultures soaring between the cliffs. After a refreshing drink (or two) in the bars of Cain, we return following the contours of the hydro-electricity canal.

Day 6 - Cucayo to the Rio Frio (cold river)

Shortly after leaving Cucayo a wonderful photo opportunity appears of the village's spreading, rusty-red pan-tiled roofs of the old houses and barns. The path rises through shady woods, a mixture of Beech and oaks, and crosses streams to lead us up to the pastures below Peña Prieta, the highest peak of the Cantabrian mountains. This is bear and wolf country so the grazing livestock are accompanied by the local breed of large dogs. Don't worry though, they're used to people and often sniff out a packed lunch! This high pasture is cobwebbed by rippling brooks and is a perfect place for cooling our feet.
Ascent can vary between 700 - 1,000m, .

Day 7 - Fuente De - Horcados Rojos

Back up to the cable car, we take a track leading under the big rock face of the massif of Peña Vieja (Old Peak), the highest point in Cantabria. Keeping our eyes open for Wallcreeper, a rare, beautiful, butterfly-like bird, we should see Chamois leaping the rocks and the chance of Golden eagles flying above. We reach Horcados Rojos with tremendous views of the Picos' most famous mountain, Naranjo de Bulnes.
An ascent of about 700m.

Day 8 - Departure

Tranfer to Santander airport