The Cares Trail and the classic long-distance treks that include it: the most spectacular gorge of the Cantabrian range and the historic paths that cross Picos de Europa through it.
From 550 € /person
No commitment · We design it with you
The Cares Route was built between 1945 and 1950 to maintain the hydroelectric canal running from Caín to Poncebos. Twelve kilometers of a balcony carved into the vertical wall of the canyon, sometimes 200 meters above the river.
Until 2001, the only access was a two-hour walk from Poncebos through the Tejo Gorge. That year, the underground funicular of Bulnes opened, ascending 400 meters in elevation in 7 minutes. There is still no road access.
Blend of cow’s, sheep’s and goat’s milk, with no added colorings or molds. It matures for 2 to 4 months in natural crevices of the mountains at 8-12 °C and 90% humidity. The Penicillium azul appears naturally, from the cave air.
Declared by Alfonso XIII as Picos de Europa National Park; expanded in 1995 to the three massifs (central, western, eastern). 67,000 hectares between Asturias, Cantabria and León.
An editorial showcase of what the destination offers. Nothing to book here - we shape it when you write to us.
The active side: guided or self-guided activities, no sugar-coating the gradient.
What makes this place different: heritage, crafts, local history.
Eating well without the manual - local product, village pace.
Where you sleep - inns, rural houses, hotels with character in the valley.
Landscape unfiltered: what you see on foot, without the car.
Half-hour side trips if you've time left or it rains.
Yes, but it’s 24 km and an 8-9 hour hike, best done if you're used to it. Most people only do the outbound leg (12 km, 4-5 hours) and return by shuttle or car parked at the other end. The most convenient option: leave a car in Poncebos, take a shared taxi to Caín in the morning, and hike the route from Caín → Poncebos.
The trail isn’t technical, but there are sections with vertical drops of tens of meters without continuous protection. We don’t recommend it for children under 10 years old. Between 10 and 14, assess your child’s comfort with heights and walk closely beside them on the wall side. For families with very young children, we have better destinations in Cantabria or Cazorla — ask us.
Not for the Cares Trail (it’s only on foot). For the GR-202 and longer treks through Picos, there are taxi porter services between Posada de Valdeón, Caín, Sotres and Cangas, which the Concierge can arrange.
The Cares Trail can be done with light rain (be careful of wet rocks on exposed sections), but it’s best to change plans if there's a storm or dense fog. Alternatives with shelter: visit a Cabrales cheese factory with a tasting, explore Cangas de Onís and the Sanctuary of Covadonga, or go up Fuente Dé (the cable car doesn’t operate in strong winds; check the forecast). Sotres and Arenas have good cider houses to wait out the rain.
If you’re focusing your trip on the Cares + Bulnes + Cabrales + Covadonga area, stay on the Asturian side: Arenas de Cabrales, Sotres, Cangas de Onís or Poncebos. If you combine it with Fuente Dé and Liébana, consider a couple of nights on the Cantabrian side (Potes). Posada de Valdeón (León) is a good base only if you plan several routes through the central massif.
Quick filters
We'll shape it around you
Tell us how you travel - dates, group, pace, budget - and we'll design the trip exactly the way you need it.
