Picos de Europa Circuit
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Reconquista Route · 5 days across Picos de Europa from Covadonga to Áliva
Five days walking 69 kilometres with 4,570 positive metres across the Picos de Europa National Park. Linear trek from Covadonga to the Cares and Áliva passes, with overnights in refugios and village hostels along the way.
In Asturias
Getaway · 4 nights
From 550 € /person
At a glance
- 5 days / 69 km / 4,570 m+ across the Picos de Europa National Park
- Emblematic stretch of the Cares Trail between Caín and Poncebos
- Overnight at Bulnes, village with no road access (only on foot or by funicular)
- Lakes of Covadonga, Áliva passes, views of the three massifs in a single trek
- Bookings + transfers managed by Picuco, phone backup during the 5 days
What you'll experience
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Covadonga → Vega de Ario · climb to the Lakes
Departure from the Basilica of Covadonga, ascent to the Lakes of Covadonga (Enol and Ercina) and crossing to the Marqués de Villaviciosa refuge in Vega de Ario (1,630 m). First night in a guarded refuge of the Western Massif.
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Vega de Ario → Caín · descent to the gorge
Descent from Vega de Ario to the town of Caín, at the northern entrance to the Cares gorge. Overnight stay in a village inn. Dinner of cheese and stews in the old town center.
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Full Cares Trail · Caín → Poncebos · 7.5 miles
The star stage. The twelve kilometers of Cares from end to end, a path carved into rock with the river two hundred meters below. Finish in Poncebos and short climb to Bulnes (town without a road).
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Bulnes → Sotres · access to the Central Massif
Ascent from Bulnes to the Pandébano pass and traverse to Sotres, head of the Central Massif. View of Naranjo de Bulnes from the pass. Overnight stay in a hostel in Sotres.
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Sotres → Áliva passes → Espinama · finish
Crossing the Áliva passes with panoramic views of the three massifs. Descent into the Liébana valley and finish in Espinama or a nearby town. Pick-up by Picuco. End of the crossing.
What's included
This is what the bundle covers. If you want to tweak something, we'll sort it in the proposal.
Lodging
- 4 nights: mountain shelters + village hostelsCombined overnight stay: 2 nights in a mountain refuge (Vega de Ario and similar) in shared rooms with blanket and refuge dinner; 2 nights in a hostel or rural guesthouse (Caín or Bulnes and Sotres) with private room and dinner at a local restaurant. Picuco manages the four reservations.
Meals
- Meals on the road · picnic + dinner at a shelter or townPicnic-style lunch purchased the night before in the overnight town, dinner from the refuge menu or the hostel restaurant depending on the stage. Breakfast at the accommodation. Dinners in town include Cantabrian-Asturian dishes: fabada, lebaniego stew, Cabrales cheese, game stews. Special menu coordination upon request.
Extras
- Historical-technical briefing the night before.Session with AEGM guide the afternoon before the start: historical context of Covadonga, Reconquista and Asturian livestock routes; stage review, schedules, weather options, and backpack and equipment check. Meeting point in Cangas de Onís or Covadonga, ~1h30 duration.
- Day 1 · Covadonga, Lakes and Vega de ArioDeparture from the Basilica of Covadonga (260 m), ascent along a trail to the Lakes Enol and Ercina (1,100 m), and crossing towards the Marqués de Villaviciosa refuge in Vega de Ario (1,630 m). 12-14 km, ~900 m+ and 200 m-, between 5 and 7 hours. First overnight stay on the route in a guarded refuge of the Western Massif.
- Day 2 · Vega de Ario → CaínLong descent from Vega de Ario (1,630 m) to Caín (460 m) along the Trea channel or equivalent route. Technical downhill stage with steps on a slope: poles essential. 10-12 km, ~1,200 m negative elevation gain. Overnight stay in a village hostel with local dinner.
- Day 3 · Complete Cares Route Caín → Poncebos → BulnesThe full 12 kilometers of the Cares Gorge, a path carved into rock 200 meters above the river. A long stage but with no significant accumulated elevation gain (~300 m+/-). Arrival in Poncebos and a short climb to Bulnes (~1h30, 400 m+). Overnight stay in a hostel in Bulnes, a town with no road access.
- Day 4 · Bulnes → Pandébano → SotresAscent from Bulnes to the Pandébano pass (1,220 m) with a frontal view of Naranjo de Bulnes (Picu Urriellu), and traverse to Sotres (1,045 m), the starting point of the Central Massif. 11 km, ~800 m+ and 600 m-. Overnight stay in a hostel in Sotres.
- Day 5 · Sotres → Ports of Áliva → EspinamaFinal stage with a crossing of the Áliva Passes (1,650 m), open panorama to the three Picos massifs. Descent to the Duje valley and arrival in Espinama (Cantabria), where the Picuco vehicle picks you up. 14 km, ~700 m+ and 1,200 m-. Completion of the crossing.
- AEGM guide telephone support for 5 daysPicuco doesn’t accompany the journey day to day (it's autonomous) but a specialized AEGM guide for Picos is available by phone during the five days to answer orientation questions, weather-related decisions or any issues. Free call for the client.
Included
- · Bookings of the 4 nights (mix of refugios and hostels by stage)
- · Transfer to Covadonga at the start + pickup at Espinama or equivalent at the end
- · Pre-trek briefing with stage info, timings and weather options
- · Phone backup during the 5 days
- · Orientation map of the route with stages marked
Not included
- · Meals at refugios and hostels (~€25 dinner + €6 breakfast typical)
- · Daily picnics (bought in the village the evening before)
- · In-trail guide (the trek is autonomous)
- · Bulnes funicular (€4 each way; optional, you can also walk up)
- · Transport to Covadonga
Where it happens
Price calendar
Per-person guide price. The final quote arrives with the personalised proposal.
| From | To | Price per person | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May 2026 | 30 Jun 2026 | 550 € | Primavera · hayedos verdes y refugios disponibles |
| 1 Jul 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 650 € | Verano · alta temporada, reservar con 2 meses de antelación |
| 1 Sept 2026 | 31 Oct 2026 | 600 € | Otoño · color del bosque y menos tránsito |
Who this fits
With friends Adventure Disconnection History
Built for fit hikers with experience of 2-3 consecutive days, for those wanting to cross Picos de Europa without high-mountain difficulty (the Anillo is for that), for couples and small groups looking for a first major Cantabrian trek. Not the right fit for those with vertigo (the Cares triggers it) or for a first serious pack walk — for beginners, better start with the Cares as a day trip out-and-back.
Frequently asked
Got a question not listed here? Just ask.
Is it very different from the Anillo de Picos?
Yes. The Reconquista is linear (you start at Covadonga, end at Áliva) and mixes refugios with village hostels, not just refugios. The Anillo is circular and overnights exclusively in guarded high-mountain refugios. The Reconquista is more physically accessible; the Anillo is more demanding.
What are the stages?
Stage 1: Covadonga → Lakes of Covadonga → Vega de Ario (refuge). Stage 2: Vega de Ario → Caín. Stage 3: Full Cares (Caín → Poncebos). Stage 4: Poncebos → Bulnes → Sotres. Stage 5: Sotres → Áliva passes → Espinama. Times vary 4-8 hours by stage.
Do I need previous experience?
Recommended at least 2-3 prior consecutive days walking with a light pack. It's demanding but not technical: trail terrain, no alpine sections, no special gear. Suitable for fit hikers.
When can it be done?
May to October. Optimal season is June-September when all overnight options are operational and weather is stable. In May and October there may still be residual snow at the Áliva passes or dense fog reducing visibility.
What do I pack?
7-9 kg: layered clothing, windbreaker, mountain boots, poles, hat, sunscreen, daily water, snacks, sleeping liner (for the refugios), microfibre towel, headlamp. Lighter than the Anillo because you overnight in more comfortable hostels.
Does it climb the Naranjo de Bulnes?
No. The Reconquista passes through the Bulnes village and sees the Naranjo from below, but doesn't climb it. Summiting the Naranjo requires alpinism and a hired guide separately; it's not in this package.
Can I combine it with the Anillo Vindio?
Yes, if you have 9 days available. Some travellers chain Reconquista (5d) + Vindio (4d) back-to-back. If interested, we coordinate with an intermediate rest day.
Otros paquetes
Otros paquetes de Picos de Europa Circuit
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Reconquista Route · 5 days across Picos de Europa from Covadonga to Áliva
From 550 € /person