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The Picos de Europa
Grey limestone mountains of more than 2,600 metres with deep gorges and green mountain meadows not far from the coast. In the north of Spain you walk in the oldest national park in the country.
Limestone massifs, a rock pillar and a deep gorge
In July 1918 the first national park in Spain was established here. It is now called Picos de Europa National Park and lies in Asturias, Cantabria and León. The mountains consist of three limestone massifs with a rugged landscape of fissures and shafts. The highest peak is the Torre de Cerredo at about 2,650 metres.
The best-known mountain is the Naranjo de Bulnes or Picu Urriellu: a rock pillar of 2,519 metres that was first climbed in 1904. Between the western and the central massif the river Cares cut a deep gorge. At Fuente Dé a cable car from 1966 takes you 753 metres up in less than four minutes.
Best in June and September
The best time is June and September. July and August are the busiest. High up there can still be snow into May and the winter months are the wettest. In autumn the beech forests change colour. Fog can roll in at any time of year.
On busy days you cannot drive to the Lakes of Covadonga: in 2026 that applies among other times around Easter, from 1 June to 18 October and from 1 to 8 December. Motorhomes and vehicles longer than 5 metres are then not allowed on that road at all. Instead you take the bus from Cangas de Onís.
Beautiful walks
Ruta del Cares
22 km there and back · more than 5 hours · about 830 m of climbing · starts in Poncebos
The most famous path in the Picos: hewn into the rock wall of the gorge alongside an old hydroelectric canal as far as the village of Caín. There is no railing and there is no drinking water along the way. From 31 July to 2 August 2026 the path was closed after falling rock. From mid-October to 30 October you could not walk the whole route because a section of the path had subsided. From June to mid-October a bus runs from Arenas de Cabrales to Poncebos. If you come by car you then park at the Ovar car park 1.2 kilometres before Poncebos, where space is limited. Camping Naranjo de Bulnes in Arenas de Cabrales is just over 5 kilometres away.
Loop around the Lakes of Covadonga
about 6 km · 2.5 to 3 hours · circular walk · about 110 m of climbing · starts at the Buferrera car park
An easy loop past the Mirador del Príncipe viewpoint and the old Buferrera mines to Lake Ercina. Then you walk through the Palomberu beech forest and across the Enol meadow to Lake Enol. In season check the bus because you are not allowed to drive up in a motorhome then. Camping Covadonga is about 11 kilometres away as the crow flies.
To Bulnes through the Canal del Texu
about 7.5 km there and back · 3 to 5 hours · 400 to 540 m of climbing · starts in Poncebos
Up through a steep gorge to the village of Bulnes, which has no road to it. If you do not want to walk back you can take the funicular through the mountain to Poncebos. Camping Naranjo de Bulnes is just over 5 kilometres away.
Over the Puertos de Áliva to Fuente Dé
14.5 km · just over 4 hours · one way · mostly downhill · starts at the top station of the Fuente Dé cable car
Up by cable car and then almost entirely downhill across the mountain meadows of Áliva back to the valley. A one-way ticket cost 13 to 17 euros in 2026. Please note: the cable car closes for works from 16 November 2026 and it is not yet known when it will reopen. Camping El Redondo is right next to the bottom station.
Through the Panderruedas beech forest to Posada de Valdeón
13.5 km · about 4 hours · one way · about 510 m of descent · starts at the Puerto de Panderruedas pass
An easy route through beech forest to the Valdeón valley. Take a taxi back to the pass. Stay on the path because you are walking through a protected area. Since 15 April there have been works at the pass: the meadow by the pass is closed off and you are not allowed to stop there (as of 12 November 2026). Camping El Cares is about 4 kilometres from Posada de Valdeón.
Our campsites nearby
For each campsite the map shows the circular walks that start close by.
- Camping Naranjo de Bulnes in Arenas de Cabrales
- Camping Covadonga near Cangas de Onís
- Camping Sella in Arriondas
- El Cares near Santa Marina de Valdeón
- Camping El Redondo near Fuente Dé
- San Pelayo near Camaleño
- La Viorna near Potes
- Camping El Molino in La Vega de Liébana
- Camping de Riaño in Riaño