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Picos de Europa - Medium Trek - Including Accommodation before and after

Duration: 7 days

Trails: T3 trails

Distance: 10 - 15 km per day

Ascent per day: 500 - 1000 m ascent per day

Hut-to-Hut

Adventure

Hut tours

Overview
Itinerary
What's Included
FAQ
Reviews

> Walk beneath the towering Picu Urriellu (2,519 m), the symbol of the Picos de Europa
> Stay in historic mountain refuges along the way
> Enjoy comfortable accommodation before and after your trek

The Picos de Europa Medium Trek is a 5-day adventure that takes you deep into Spain’s first National Park, combining spectacular limestone walls, glacial valleys, and mountain pastures for an unforgettable trekking experience. With accommodation arranged before and after, you can start and end your journey stress-free. This route begins and ends in Sotres, following ancient trails used by shepherds and mountaineers for centuries.

The trek takes you over breathtaking high mountain passes and into the shadow of the legendary Picu Urriellu (also known as Naranjo de Bulnes), one of Spain’s most iconic peaks. As you hike alongside other towering summits, you'll pass through deep gorges carved by raging rivers, rugged plateaus, and lush valleys where wildlife roams free.

Each night, you'll stay in traditional accommodation, where warm hospitality and hearty local cuisine await after a rewarding day on the trail. Perfect for those seeking a mix of challenge and beauty, this trek captures the essence of adventure in the Picos de Europa.

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

Itinerary

Day

Arrival in Arenas de Cabrales

Arrive in Arenas de Cabrales the day before your hike begins to start your journey relaxed. Explore this picturesque village and reward yourself with a glass of cider on a terrace.

Hotel Villa de Cabrales (Arenas de Cabrales)

Info

Day

Arenas de Cabrales - Sotres - Refugio Vega de Urriellu

Duration: 05:30 h

Distance: 10.1 km

Ascent: 1140 m

Descent: 170 m

This morning you will take a short bus transfer from Arenas de Cabrales to Sotres, which will depart around 10:00 o'clock.

Once in Sotres, it's time to start your hiking adventure. After just over a kilometer, you'll pass the 'Invernales del Texu,' a kind of abandoned village built by shepherds to shelter their herds in winter. You might encounter a herd in the surrounding valleys. The path then ascends, offering a magnificent view of the Naranjo de Bulnes, one of the most distinctive peaks of the Picos de Europa. Continuing through green valleys where cows graze. Along the way, you'll pass Refugio de la Terenosa, where you can stop for a drink. After the stop, you steadily ascend further. The paths become gradually rockier, and the views become more rugged. You might spot an ibex high on the rocks! Your destination for the day is Refugio de Urriellu, located at the foot of Picu Urriellu. The current building has been in use since 1990, and due to its remote location, the construction materials were transported by Chinook helicopter from the Spanish army. During your stay, you'll likely meet Tómas Fernández López, the hut's manager since 1991, who knows the area like no other.

Refugio Vega de Urriellu

Info

Day

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

See entire itinerary

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.

Destinations

Trekking Type

Picos de Europa - Medium Trek - Including Accommodation before and after