Morning:

We will start our day with a beautiful drive through the winding mountain road to the most famous route in Picos de Europa, the Las Cares hiking trail.

The trail runs along the Cares River and cuts through the park's heart. One of the highlights of the Las Cares Trail is the Cares Gorge, where the path follows the narrow and winding canyon carved by the river. The rock walls rise dramatically on either side, creating a unique, awe-inspiring atmosphere.

The terrain is mostly well-maintained and relatively flat.

We will not hike the whole length of the trail which is 7 miles one way, but instead, we will hike halfway until we reach the tunnels and then return.

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Distance: 11 km (7 miles) with 430m (1400ft) of elevation gain

Time: 4 hours

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Afternoon:

After our hike, we will drive to our next destination, Potes town.

Potes is a charming town and is known for its breathtaking natural surroundings and delicious Cantabrian cuisine including cocido lebaniego (a hearty stew), quesada pasiega (a type of cheesecake), and orujo (a traditional Spanish liquor).

Potes is a medieval town with well-preserved architecture and a historic center filled with narrow, cobblestone streets and charming buildings which worth some exploration.

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Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Morning:

After a short 30-minute drive in the morning, we will arrive at Fuente Dé. Riding the cable car in Fuente Dé is a thrilling and unforgettable experience that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Picos de Europa mountain range. The ascent in the cable car is relatively steep, and you'll quickly gain elevation as you leave the valley floor far below. The cable car journey is approximately 4 minutes each way. The upper station of the cable car is located at an altitude of around 1,823 meters (5,981 feet) above sea level.

This is where we start our hiking journey to Horcados Rojos Peak.

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It's time for a hike!

The Horcados Rojos Route is one of the most iconic hikes in the Picos de Europa National Park. This route offers a thrilling and rewarding trek through rugged terrain with panoramic viewpoints on the way. The top of the mountain peak is located at an elevation of approximately 2,506 meters (8,224 feet) and offers a stunning perspective of the surrounding peaks, including the famous Naranjo de Bulnes (also known as Picu Urriellu). 

On the way back we can make a stop at the popular Cabaña Verónica mountain hut for refreshments or snacks. After we ride back down the cable car to Fuente Dé we drive back to Potes town to spend another evening before the next day's journey.

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Distance: 11km (7 miles) with 750m (2500ft) of elevation gain

Time: 5-6 hours

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Morning:

Get ready for a tough day! Our journey to Collado Jermoso will begin at Fuente Dé, but this time we will not ride the cable car, instead we will climb up the mountain on a long switchback.

This trek offers spectacular views, rugged terrain, and the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Picos de Europa. This will be the biggest climb we do on our trip, but the amazing views will compensate for our effort. After a few hours of hiking, we will make it to the cabin which stands around 2100 meters high. It is perched on a rocky shelf, offering awe-inspiring panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

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Distance: 9km (5.5 miles) with 1400m (4500ft) of elevation gain

Time: 5-6 hours.

Afternoon:

The good news, when you arrive at the mountain hut, you will be able to eat a good bocadillo (sandwich) or even enjoy a cold beer. You will be able to rest, take a short hike, or just sit and watch the mountain goats playing around.

If we are lucky we will be able to see a beautiful sunset over the jagged cliffs for an unforgettable experience. 

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Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Morning:

After breakfast, we will depart the cabin and head back towards Fuente Dé. This time we will return in a slightly different way for a change of environment and views. We will even hike for a couple of miles in some parts of the Camino de Santiago trail before we get back to the trailhead.

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Distance: 11km (7 miles) with 300m (1000ft) of elevation gain

Time: 5 hours

Afternoon: Relaxation at Las Hermida Balneario

After our hike, we will drive to Las Hermida Balneario where we will relax in the thermal baths. Las Hermida Balneario is known for its healing thermal waters, so after our hiking days in the mountains we will take advantage of this rejuvenating experience.

We will spend the night at Arenas de Cabrales town where we will enjoy some special Asturian local food. 

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Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

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Morning:

This is our last day so we will take it easy with a ride to Bulnes town. Bulnes is a charming and picturesque town nestled in the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park. This remote and idyllic village is known for its stunning mountainous surroundings, its isolation from the rest of the world, and its unique transportation system.

One of the remarkable features of Bulnes is its inaccessibility by road. The village can only be reached by hiking, on horseback, or by taking a funicular railway, making it an alluring destination for nature enthusiasts and adventurers.

We will use the funicular de Bulnes railway to get us to the town. The village is a delight to explore, with its traditional Asturian architecture. Stone houses with slate roofs line the narrow, winding streets, creating a charming and rustic atmosphere. It's a great place to immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy the tranquility of village life.

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Afternoon:

If you are a cheese lover, you might enjoy our last stop. Arenas de Cabrales is a small town known for its rich cheese-making traditions, particularly Cabrales cheese. We will visit a cheese cave to learn more about the cheese-making traditions and we can even try some of these delicious (at least for some) cheese types with some cider.

After this short visit to the cave, we will have a launch in town before we head back to Santander. Estimated arrival in Santander around 4 pm-5 pm.

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Meals included: Breakfast