Picos de Europa - Long Trek

Duration: 6 days
Trails: T3 trails
Distance: 10 - 15 km per day
Ascent per day: 500 - 1000 m ascent per day

> Trek through Spain's oldest National Park
> Experience breathtaking high mountain passes and valleys
> Stay in iconic mountain refuges such as Vega de Urriellu and Collado Jermoso

The Picos de Europa National Park is a stunning wilderness of dramatic calcareous peaks, glacial canyons and grasslands that offers some of the best trekking in Spain. This 6-day trek takes you deep into the heart of the park, following scenic trails through remote mountain landscapes.

From Sotres to the legendary Vega de Urriellu hut, the route crosses high mountain passes and deep gorges with spectacular views. Along the way, you'll discover the authentic charm of the Cordillera Cantábrica, trekking along old shepherd's paths and coming across abandoned shepherd's huts.

You'll spend every night in comfortable accommodation, from traditional guesthouses to mountain huts, where you'll be welcomed back after a day's walking with a hearty local meal. This adventure is perfect for walkers looking for a challenging yet rewarding experience in one of Spain's most iconic mountain ranges.

Important: This route is only suitable for experienced hikers with technical mountaineering skills and previous experience of trekking in similar high mountain terrain.

Itinerary

Day
1

Sotres - Refugio Vega de Urriellu

Duration: 05:30 h
Distance: 10 km
Ascent: 1140 m
Descent: 170 m

Today you set off from Sotres for your first stage. After just over a kilometre, you'll pass the 'Invernales del Texu', a sort of abandoned village built by shepherds to shelter their flocks in winter. The path then climbs, offering magnificent views of Naranjo de Bulnes (also known as Picu Urriellu), one of the most striking peaks in the Picos de Europa. Continue through green valleys where herds of cattle graze. On the way you'll pass the Refugio de la Terenosa, where you can stop for a drink before the steady climb. The path becomes increasingly rocky and the views more rugged. You might even spot an ibex high up on the rocks!

Your destination for the day is the Refugio de Urriellu, at the foot of Picu Urriellu. The current building has been in use since 1990, and due to its remote location, construction materials were brought in by Spanish Army Chinook helicopters. During your stay, you're likely to meet Tomás Fernández López, who has been the hut's manager since 1991 and knows the area like no other.

Refugio Vega de Urriellu

Info
Refugio Vega de Urriellu
Day
2

Refugio Vega de Urriellu - Fuente Dé

Duration: 06:00 h
Distance: 10.5 km
Ascent: 610 m
Descent: 1490 m

The day begins at the Refugio Vega de Urriellu, below the imposing Picu Urriellu, also known as Naranjo de Bulnes. From here the trail heads southwest, descending through the Garganta del Jou sin Terre, surrounded by towering peaks over 2000m such as Torre del Pomelo (2326m). Just before Pico Arenizas (2512 m), the route turns south-east and crosses the steep Horcados Rojos area, an absolute highlight, perfect for a picture!

Once you reach the Mirador de El Cable, you are very close to the cable car station that takes you down to Fuente Dé. Take this to avoid a steep and long descent and enjoy the views of open pastures and scattered beech woods. The rolling alpine meadows contrast sharply with the jagged peaks, with herds of cows and horses grazing peacefully in the distance. Congratulations, you have reached Fuente Dé, the end of your second stage - now you can relax after a long day's trekking!

Note: Today is one of the most challenging days, especially the first third of the stage (about 4km on T3 trails), as it includes a potentially dangerous section. For extra safety, it is equipped with steel ropes in some places, suitable for experienced walkers. Please be aware of your own walking ability and the difficulty of the trail.

Parador de Fuente Dé

Info
Parador de Fuente Dé
Day
3

Fuente Dé - Refugio Collado Jermoso

Duration: 05:45 h
Distance: 9 km
Ascent: 1150 m
Descent: 200 m

The route from Fuente Dé to the Collado Jermoso Refuge is one of the most spectacular in the Picos de Europa, combining forests, alpine meadows and high mountain terrain with breathtaking views.

From Fuente Dé, the route gradually climbs along a path that crosses the beautiful Áliva Valley, surrounded by the peaks of the Oriental Massif. The route enters a more rugged landscape and crosses the Vega de Liordes, a wide plateau surrounded by imposing rock faces. Here begins the most demanding part of the route, with a steep climb along the Canal de Pedabejo to the Collado de Pedabejo (1,900m), where the views of the central macizo of the Picos de Europa are spectacular.

The final stretch follows an aerial path with impressive panoramic views to the Collado Jermoso Refuge (2,064m), one of the best situated refuges in the entire mountain range. The reward for this strenuous day is the famous sunset over the mountains, one of the most iconic of the Picos de Europa.

Refugio Collado Jermoso

Info
Refugio Collado Jermoso
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Included

  • Full travel guide

    We will send you on your way with a digital travel guide that includes a route description for the Picos de Europa, interactive hiking maps, and the most important information applicable to your trek

  • Hotels, Hostels or Huts

    We arrange your accommodation on the Picos de Europa in hotels, hostels or huts along the way. We have selected accommodations on our trek based on the length of each stage and recommendations from hikers who have gone before us on the Picos de Europa.

  • Meals (where possible)

    In the mountain huts half-board (lunch and dinner) is included. Breakfast (if possible) is included in the hotel and hostels along the way.

Excluded

  • Traveling to and from

    You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport.

  • Transfers

    Should you need any form of (public) transport on location, this is not part of the trekking package. This includes the use of taxi, bus, cable cars, gondolas etc.

  • Travel Insurance

    Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.

  • Personal expenses

    Personal expenses on such as souvenirs, drinks, and other similar expenses are for your own account.

FAQ

  • What and Where Are the Picos de Europa?

  • Is a Hut-To-Hut Trek in Picos de Europa Suitable for Me?

  • What is the Best Season for the Picos de Europa?

  • How to Travel to Picos de Europa?

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Maureen Ypma
Maureen Ypma

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