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From the Picos to the SeaThe Heart of Asturias
Green and unspoiled, Asturias is dominated by themagnificent mountain range of the Picos de Europa, rich in rare animals and birds and just a few miles inland from the Atlantic coast of quiet beaches, sweeping bays, and enticing fishing ports. The highest peaks rise to over 2,600 metres, and the mountains earned their name during the great period of world exploration by sailors, for whom they were the first sign of home. Wolves and bears shelter in the remotest parts of the National Park; chamois, wild boar, golden eagles, griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures and peregrine falcons are more often in evidence.
Nights: 7 or 10
Starting point: Hotel Picos de Europa (3*), Arenas de Cabrales. A comfortable hotel complete with an outdoor pool located in the centre of the small mountain town of Arenas. Day 1: after a short transfer to Poncebos, you walk along the
spectacular Cares Gorge, also known as the Divine Gorge, surrounded by
towering, craggy limestone peaks. At first the path remains high above
the river, but the further you walk along the gorge, the closer you get
to the water. If you walk all the way to Caín, the gorge opens up to reveal an unrivalled view of jagged peaks. Alternatively, if the weather is good, you can follow paths
leading into the high mountains for views of the famous peak, El Naranjo
de Bulnes (the 'Orange'), a strangely shaped, orange-tinted mountain.
(up to 16km, 6hrs) Day 2: a magnificent route over the mountains that is one of the real highlights of the holiday.
You follow old mule paths under the ridge of the Cabeza de Juan Robles
and up to high mountain pastures dotted with stone huts where shepherds
used to live during the summer months. There are breathtaking views of
the Picos, and eagles and vultures are commonly spotted soaring high above.
You then cross the flank of Monte Artajo before descending to the mountain
village of Trescares, from where you have a final ascent across meadows
to the Corona del Cueto pass for the descent to Besnes. A gentler route
follows quiet country lanes to Besnes. (14km, 7hrs or 18km, 5hrs) Day 3: another walk through rugged scenery. Your path winds up through woodland and across streams before
emerging into meadows. After crossing the River Cares, rich in trout,
you ascend steadily to a broad ridge. The views during the ascent are
good, but those from the ridge are breathtaking. (11km, 4hrs) Day 4: after three days in the mountains, today's walk rewards
you with your first views of the sea. From Alevia, you climb steadily
up the slopes of the Sierra de Cuera and walk through high summer pastures
before ascending once more to the tiny Hermitage of St Anthony (818 metres)
with amazing views in all directions in clear weather. Linger here over
your picnic before descending past long-abandoned manganese mines on the
north side of the sierra, and heading along the ridge to Noriega. (13km,
6hrs). Day 5: a fine walk with which to end the holiday. After a short
transfer, the route starts along a broad ridge with wonderful views on
clear days of the Atlantic to the north and the Sierra de Cuera to the
south. After descending from the ridge, you walk along the cliff-tops
past enticing little coves where you can swim, limestone swallow holes,
and the lovely rocky inlet where the River Purón carves through
the limestone to the sea. (21km, 6.5hrs) Day 6: spend the day exploring nearby Llanes with its basilica, cliff-top
promenade, small shops and tempting seafood restaurants. Extension: to make a 10-night holiday, take the scenic coastal train from Llanes to Arriondas (pay locally), and from here walk the 7 kilometres to the 3-star Posada del Valle in Collia. This comfortable casona is run by the welcoming Nigel and Joann Burch, whose knowledge of the region and its footpaths is unrivalled. The small restaurant has earned a loyal local following and serves a lot of local, organic produce, some of it produced on the hotel's own organic farm. A no-smoking policy is operated throughout the hotel. In February 2008, Joann and Nigel of the Posada del Valle won the 'Organic Food & Biodiversity Award' from the Spanish Ministry of the Environment, for their outstanding efforts in not only using organic produce in the hotel's restaurant, but also in growing most of that food themselves on their farm. Inntravel is passionately committed to the principles of Responsible Tourism - click here to find out more. On both of your two days here we include a transfer so that you can enjoy our two gentle suggested walks. The first (11km, 3.5hrs) starts with a short transfer to the magnificent Mirador del Fito viewpoint, after which you walk across the flanks of three small peaks of the Sierra del Sueve range, enjoying in good weather views of the Picos de Europa and of the coast between Llanes and Gijón. The semi-wild Asturcon ponies that are native to the area can often be spotted here. Before descending to Collia, you have the option of climbing to the summit of Pico Pienzu (1159m), an ascent that is rewarded with another breathtaking panorama. The second walk (14km, 5hrs) makes a fitting climax to the holiday. You descend along good tracks through the hills of the Sierra del Fito, enjoying good views to the sandy, unspoiled beach of Playa La Vega. Relax on the sand for a while before returning to the Posada del Valle by taxi. Walking chart for standard holiday: the chart gives the distance and an approximation of the ascents and descents involved each day. If comparing holidays, please note the scale of each chart as this can differ.
Recommendations for extra nights: Hotel Picos de Europa (Arenas de Cabrales) - an extra night here enables you to complete both suggested walks; Casona d'Alevia for relaxation and extra walking. Extensions: If you are flying via flourishing Bilbao or the handsome old city of Oviedo why not stay over for 2 nights at the 2* Iturrienea Ostatua, Bilbao, or the 3* Hotel Fruela, Oviedo. Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system. You can also read our website travel diary for a personal account of the holiday. Similar holidays: The Catalan Pyrenees (grade 2-3), White Towns & Rugged Mountains (grade 2-3), The Grand Cerdagne (grade 2-3), Pyrenees to Atlantic (grade 2-3), The Secret Apennines (grade 2-3), Mountains & Coast (grade 2-3), The Costa Verde Discovery Holiday (grades 1, 2 & 3) Prices & travel 2008:
Recommended destination airports: Asturias Oviedo,
Bilbao & Santander Extra night prices
> Notes on prices > Any queries? Let us call you back > Booking form (if you want to book the extension, remember to state this in step 1)  |
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There is a Celtic feel to the region and its
generous people - cider is served in the bars and restaurants, and traditional
folk music, often featuring gaitas (bagpipes), is played at the fiestas. Walking amid the mountains here is a magical experience. Our classic, highly
praised walk leads you from the dramatic, remote-feeling
Picos de Europa Mountains to the rugged coast. One of the holiday's great
features is the opportunity to stay on some nights in authentic Asturian casonas - characterful village houses offering traditional cooking, comfortable
accommodation and a genuine welcome in spectacular surroundings.
Cares Gorge 
