HOTEL Picos de Europa - the Wild Alpine Paradise of Northern Spain FOREIGN TRIP

Final space: male only (single-gender rooms).

If you are female and interested, a single room upgrade may be possible - please email us before booking:
**info@outdooraholics.co.uk**

Spain’s green north is a world away from its sun-baked coastlines. In the Picos de Europa, Europe’s largest limestone mountain range, deep gorges slice through jagged peaks, remote valleys hide ancient villages, and wildlife thrives in one of Spain’s wildest landscapes.

This trip takes us into the heart of Spain’s first National Park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, hiking the legendary Cares Gorge, reaching the base of the iconic Naranjo de Bulnes, exploring the Lakes of Covadonga, and summiting spectacular viewpoints above 2,000 metres.

Our accommodation is in the pretty mountain town of Cangas de Onis.

📏 Key Info
• 🌙 Nights: 6 (Fri–Thu)
• 💷 Cost: £846
• 🥾 Difficulty: Challenging 5-8 hrs hiking
• 🛶 Activities: Hiking/sightseeing
• 🛌 Room Type: Hotel - Twin ensuite
• 🚐 Transport: Private minibus
• 🍽️ Meals Included: All Breakfasts + dinner each day (except one dinner)
• ✈️ Start & End City: Bilbao (free transfer to/from Hotel)
• 🚐 Airport Transfer: Group transfer included for suggested flight

🌟 Trip Highlights
• Explore Spain’s greenest and most dramatic mountain region
• Hike the world-famous Cares Gorge carved high above a roaring river
• Reach the base of the iconic limestone monolith - Naranjo de Bulnes Peak (2519m)
• Visit the stunning Lakes of Covadonga and Mirador de Ordiales viewpoint
• Summit spectacular peaks and viewpoints above 2,000 metres
• Discover a wild landscape rich in wildlife including vultures, eagles and wild goats
• Experience Asturian culture, cuisine, cheese and cider in Cangas de Onís
• Stay in twin ensuite rooms

🌅 Trip Description
The Picos de Europa is one of Europe’s most dramatic mountain regions, where ancient villages sit beneath jagged limestone peaks and deep rivers carve vast gorges through the landscape. Formed at the same time as the Alps and Pyrenees, the area is protected for its unique geology, wildlife and history.

Our hikes showcase the very best of the National Park - from the serene beauty of the Lakes of Covadonga, to the thrilling ledges of the Cares Gorge, and the awe-inspiring presence of Naranjo de Bulnes. We also reach high mountain viewpoints offering vast panoramas across the central and eastern massifs.

Based in the Asturias region, we enjoy a blend of rewarding hiking days and relaxed evenings in our mountain town, sampling local cider, cheese and regional cuisine.

Important Notes
This trip is suitable for fit and experienced hikers. These are tough mountain hikes involving long uphill/downhill sections on steep and uneven ground as well as walking/scrambling over rocks and boulders. Some of the trails may not be suitable for anyone who suffers from vertigo and an above average level of fitness is required.

Driving - we are driving to the hikes every day, some days have long drives and on mountain roads. The drive to and from the airport is roughly 2.5 hours plus traffic.

🛏️ Accommodation & Transport
• Cangas de Onis (6 nights) – Twin en-suite rooms at Hotel Los Lagos Nature, LINK
• Transport: Private group minibus: Bilbao Airport → Cangas de Onis → Bilbao

📅 Itinerary

Friday – Arrival & Transfer to the mountains

Arrive at Bilbao airport and meet the guide. Complimentary transfer to the accommodation in Cangas de Onis.

Saturday
• Hike: The Lakes of Covadonga and Mirador de Ordiales viewpoint
• Distance: 20km (12 miles)
• Grading: Intermediate
• Ascent: 650m
• Hiking time: 5 - 7 hours

We begin with a spectacular hike to the crystal-clear Lakes of Covadonga, one of the most iconic areas in the national park. The mirror-like waters sit beneath rugged limestone peaks, creating one of the most recognisable landscapes in northern Spain.

From here we continue to the Mirador de Ordiales, often called the “balcony of the mountains”, where sweeping views stretch across valleys and peaks. This viewpoint was so loved by the founder of the park that he chose to be buried here.

Wild goats are often spotted in this area, and the scenery throughout is consistently dramatic and open.

Sunday
• Hike: Cares Gorge
• Distance: 24km (15 miles)
• Grading: Intermediate
• Ascent: 400m
• Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours

Today we hike the Cares Gorge, one of the most famous and spectacular walking routes in Spain. The narrow path is carved directly into the rock high above the river, cutting through a deep limestone ravine between towering cliffs.

The trail passes through rock tunnels, hanging bridges and sheer cliff sections, with dramatic views throughout. The route connects the provinces of Asturias and León, offering an unforgettable journey through the heart of the mountains.

This is a long but hugely rewarding day and a true highlight of the trip.

Monday
• Hike: Base of Naranjo de Bulnes peak (2000m)
• Distance: 13km (8 miles)
• Grading: Challenging
• Ascent: 900m
• Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours

Today we hike to the base of the iconic Naranjo de Bulnes, one of Spain’s most recognisable and dramatic mountain peaks. Its towering limestone walls and distinctive shape make it a magnet for climbers and photographers alike.

Starting from the mountain village of Sotres, we steadily ascend through rugged terrain to reach the mountain refuge at around 2000m, where we stop for lunch and rest while watching climbers tackle the vertical rock faces above.

This is a demanding but deeply rewarding mountain day, offering a close-up experience of one of Spain’s great natural landmarks.

Tuesday - FREE DAY

Today is a free day to relax or explore at your own pace. There is no guided hike, but your guide can advise on options and logistics.

You may choose to relax locally in Cangas de Onís, explore cafés and sample the local Asturian cuisine, or visit Oviedo, the historic capital of Asturias, known for its old town, art, churches and traditional cider culture.

For those wanting something more active, there is the option to kayak on the River Sella through mountain scenery (optional, extra cost, paid locally).

Wednesday
• Hike: Cuetu Tejau Peak (2129m)
• Distance: 12km (7.5 miles)
• Grading: Challenging
• Ascent: 800m
• Hiking time: 5 - 7 hours

We finish the hiking part of the trip with an ascent of Cuetu Tejau Peak (2129m), located in the neighbouring province of Cantabria. This area offers a different perspective on the Picos de Europa, with wide open slopes and expansive views.

The route passes remnants of the historic Ándara mining area, climbs past a high mountain refuge, and continues to the summit where views extend across the eastern and central massifs of the national park.

A fitting finale to the week, followed by a well-earned final evening meal and rest.

Thursday – Departure

After breakfast, we depart by private minibus for Bilbao Airport.

🍽️ Food
Breakfast and dinner (except 1 day's dinner) will be provided each day, you can buy packed lunches from the local shops and the hotel. The local cuisine is diverse with strong Mediterranean features and influenced by the Romans and Arabs. Every region has a distinct cuisine with the most common ingredients being olive oil and garlic.

Dietary requirements:
• We must be aware of all dietary needs before booking – please email us first to confirm if your requirements can be accommodated: [info@outdooraholics.co.uk](mailto:info@outdooraholics.co.uk)

💷 Cost & Booking
• £846.

How to book:
• Click “Attend” and pay a £200 deposit by PayPal to secure your space
• Remainder due within 7 days (by bank transfer)
• Payment details are emailed once your booking is processed

Payment terms:
• Payments are non-refundable and non-transferable
• When the trip is sold out, fully paid spaces may be advertised to the same gender (see FAQ for details)

✅ Price Includes
• 6 nights’ accommodation in twin en-suite hotel rooms in Cangas de Onis
• Breakfast and dinner each day (except one dinner)
• Private minibus throughout
• Complimentary fixed time airport transfer at the start. Also the transfer to Bilbao airport on the final day
• Hikes by a trained guide (Outdoor First Aider)
• Compliance with the 2018 Package Travel Regulations, including financial protection

❌ Price Excludes
• Flights, lunches and dinner on one night

✈️ Flights, Start & End Times
All times below are local Spanish time.

Arrival – Friday (Bilbao Airport → Cangas de Onis)
For anyone arriving on one of the suggested flight below or already at the airport – we offer a complimentary group transfer to the accommodation, departing 12:50pm from Bilbao Airport. We will wait up to 3 hours for delays on the listed flight below only.

Inbound flights – 08.05.2026
• Vueling flight: VY7291
9:25am from London Gatwick (LGW) → Bilbao (BIO) landing 12:30pm

If you arrive later or on a different flight, you’ll need to make your own way to the accommodation. Flights are not part of the package. You are responsible for reaching the meeting point, even if your flight is delayed or changed so please ensure your travel insurance covers travel disruption.

Return – Thursday
The trip ends after breakfast and you will be transferred to Bilbao airport (approx 11am at the airport). However, due to the risk of delays etc or arriving later, we suggest exploring Bilbao and taking a late afternoon or evening flight. Please book return flights with a comfortable buffer, as we are not responsible for missed connections; your travel insurance should cover delays or disruption. Due to risks of delays in the journey/accidents/breakdowns/road works etc, we recommend exploring Bilbao and taking an evening flight.

🛡️ Insurance & Entry Requirements
It is essential that you have travel insurance which covers:
• Emergency medical treatment
• Hiking (up to 2200m in this case)
• Cancellation and curtailment
• Travel disruption (e.g. if you cannot reach the start of the trip due to delayed or cancelled flights)

You will be required to provide a copy of your insurance policy. Without valid insurance, we cannot accept you onto the trip and no refund will be due in this case.

Outdooraholics cannot verify what any policy covers – you must confirm this directly with your insurer. The guide accepting your policy details is not confirmation that it is valid or adequate.

Entry requirements:
• Valid travel documents for Spain, including a passport and visa if required
• Spain is in the EU – please check entry rules for your nationality

❓ Want to Know More?
• 🔍 New to Our Overseas Trips? – Perfect for first-timers, answers “what to expect”
• 🏢 About Us – Who Outdooraholics are, credibility & history
• ❓ FAQs – Answers to the most common queries

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⚠️ Safety
Your guide is a trained hike leader. Outdoor activities carry risk. Please bring suitable hiking footwear and clothing. See: Clothing tips.

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