Here's an 8-day hiking itinerary for the Picos de Europa in northern Spain, with an emphasis on stunning natural landscapes, moderate hiking routes, and returning to the same accommodation each night. We'll also include transfers from the nearest airport and ensure you're based in a single location for the entire stay. This allows for a relaxed and enjoyable hiking experience, with no need to pack up and move each day.
Base Accommodation: Cangas de Onís
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival in Cangas de Onís
**Day 2 (Sunday): Hike to Covadonga Lakes
Day 3 (Monday): Hike to Cares Gorge (Desfiladero de Cares)
**Day 4 (Tuesday): Hike to The Bulnes Village
Day 5 (Wednesday): Rest and Relaxation Day
Day 6 (Thursday): Hike to Pico Urriellu (Naranjo de Bulnes)
Day 7 (Friday): Hike to Lagos de Covadonga (Alternative Route)
Day 8 (Saturday): Departure Day
Summary of Accommodation:
Costs:
This itinerary offers a perfect mix of moderate to challenging hikes, combined with relaxation time and the convenience of returning to the same accommodation each night. Enjoy your adventure in the Picos de Europa!
Base Accommodation: Cangas de Onís
- Why Cangas de Onís?: This charming town is the perfect base for exploring the Picos de Europa, located about 1.5 hours from Oviedo Airport (OVD), which is the nearest major airport. It has a variety of budget-friendly accommodations, ranging from guesthouses to small hotels.
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival in Cangas de Onís
- Arrival at Airport: Fly into Oviedo Airport (OVD).
- Private Transfer: You can arrange a private transfer from Oviedo Airport to Cangas de Onís (about 1.5 hours). The cost is usually around €100–€130 per transfer.
- Afternoon: After checking into your hotel or guesthouse, enjoy a relaxed afternoon exploring the picturesque town of Cangas de Onís. Visit the Roman Bridge and take a leisurely stroll by the Sella River.
- Evening: Enjoy a traditional Asturian dinner at a local restaurant, such as Restaurante El Molín de la Pedrera.
**Day 2 (Sunday): Hike to Covadonga Lakes
- Morning: After breakfast, take a scenic drive (or transfer) to Covadonga (about 30 minutes from Cangas de Onís).
- Hike: Begin the hike around Covadonga Lakes (Lagos de Covadonga). The hike takes you to two beautiful glacial lakes: Enol and Ercina, surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery.
- Trail Details: The hike is easy to moderate, about 5–6 km, and takes around 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Afternoon: Enjoy a picnic by the lakes or at a local restaurant in Covadonga. Afterward, return to Cangas de Onís for the evening.
- Evening: Relax and have dinner at Restaurante La Sifonería in town.
Day 3 (Monday): Hike to Cares Gorge (Desfiladero de Cares)
- Morning: After breakfast, take a short drive (around 1 hour) to the Cares Gorge (Desfiladero de Cares), one of the most famous and scenic hikes in Spain.
- Hike: The Cares Gorge Trail is a 12-km (7.5-mile) hike one way, taking about 4–5 hours. The path follows the river through the dramatic gorge, with stunning cliffside views and a few tunnels to pass through.
- Difficulty: Moderate (some sections are narrow with steep drops, but it's safe and well-maintained).
- Afternoon: After completing the hike, either return the same way (making it a full 24 km round-trip) or take a bus from the end of the trail to return to Cangas de Onís.
- Evening: Relax and enjoy dinner in Cangas de Onís.
**Day 4 (Tuesday): Hike to The Bulnes Village
- Morning: Take a short drive to Fuente Dé (about 45 minutes). From there, take the cable car up to the Bulnes Village area.
- Hike: After reaching the top, hike to Bulnes Village, a small mountain village in the Picos de Europa. The hike takes about 2 hours (5 km), and offers scenic views of the mountains and surrounding valleys.
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.
- Afternoon: Explore the village of Bulnes and have lunch at one of the local inns. Afterward, take the cable car back down and return to Cangas de Onís.
- Evening: Dinner at El Restaurant del Sella in Cangas de Onís.
Day 5 (Wednesday): Rest and Relaxation Day
- Morning: Sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast.
- Late Morning: Spend the day relaxing and exploring Cangas de Onís. Visit Santa María Church, or take a short walk to the Sella River for some peaceful downtime. You can also visit the Asturias National Park Visitor Center for more insights into the region.
- Afternoon: Enjoy a quiet afternoon in Cangas de Onís. If you're feeling like a gentle walk, explore some of the nearby local trails or simply relax in your accommodation.
- Evening: Enjoy a restful dinner at Casa Marcial, one of the area's renowned but affordable spots for local dishes.
Day 6 (Thursday): Hike to Pico Urriellu (Naranjo de Bulnes)
- Morning: After breakfast, take a scenic drive to the Pico Urriellu area (about 1.5 hours from Cangas de Onís).
- Hike: Begin your hike toward the base of Naranjo de Bulnes, one of the most famous peaks in Spain. The hike takes about 5–6 hours and covers around 10 km.
- Difficulty: Challenging (This is a more demanding hike with some steep sections and rocky terrain).
- Afternoon: After reaching a viewpoint of Naranjo de Bulnes, return to Cangas de Onís.
- Evening: Have dinner at Restaurante El Molín de la Pedrera to enjoy some traditional Asturian food after a challenging day of hiking.
Day 7 (Friday): Hike to Lagos de Covadonga (Alternative Route)
- Morning: For a final hike in the area, take a different route around Lagos de Covadonga. Try a longer loop hike, combining the route to Enol and Ercina lakes with surrounding viewpoints, or take a trail through the Senda de las Flores.
- Trail Details: The Senda de las Flores is a 10 km trail and offers spectacular views of the lakes and surrounding mountains. This hike will take approximately 3–4 hours.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Afternoon: Have a relaxing lunch in Covadonga, and then return to Cangas de Onís.
- Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner at Restaurante La Sifonería in Cangas de Onís.
Day 8 (Saturday): Departure Day
- Morning: Enjoy a relaxing breakfast at your accommodation and take a final stroll through Cangas de Onís.
- Private Transfer: Depending on your flight time, you can take a private transfer back to Oviedo Airport (OVD) for your departure.
- Transfer duration: Approximately 1.5 hours.
Summary of Accommodation:
- Accommodation: Stay in a central location in Cangas de Onís, such as Hotel La Casona de Tresali or Hotel Puente Romano, both of which offer comfortable rooms at reasonable prices. This will serve as your base for the entire trip.
Costs:
- Transfers: Private transfers from Oviedo Airport (OVD) to Cangas de Onís are approximately €100–€130 each way.
- Accommodation: Budget-friendly options in Cangas de Onís will cost around €50–€100 per night for a double room.
- Meals: Expect to spend around €10–€20 for a meal at a local restaurant.
This itinerary offers a perfect mix of moderate to challenging hikes, combined with relaxation time and the convenience of returning to the same accommodation each night. Enjoy your adventure in the Picos de Europa!