July to October

Dates

5 days

Duration

Refuge

Accommodation

Challenging

Difficulty

Picos de Europa

Destination

ANILLO PICOS DE EUROPA

TREK IN THE WESTERN MASSIF HUT TO HUT

The purpose of this project is for the National Park to become better known. Within a historical context, the “Anillo” (Ring) of Picos de Europa covers the Montes Vindios, known today as Picos de Europa.

Everything in this route in Picos de Europa is spectacular: the rocky crests, the gorges, the valleys, the vast glacial lakes, the leafy forest. You can rest assured that you’ll be amazed at everything you see.

Every stone found on the wayside by people who wish to venture into the Ring amasses many different stories, many will be rescued from oblivion thanks to the National Park shelters and the work of the wardens.

HIGHLIGHTS

Sleep in the National Park Refuges and Talk with the wardens
Hike a stunning landscape affords unique views in the heart of the Picos de Europa
Experience a breath-taking part of the scenery of this National Park.
Hike through the stronghold of the last Cantabrian tribe that fought against the Roman troops.
See a rich and varied fauna. Among other species, there are chamois and Griffon vultures.

DURATION

5 days 4 nights

DATES 2021

From 21st to 25th July.
From 5th to 9th August.
From 16th to 20th August.
From 1st to 5th September.
From 13th to 17th September.

DIFFICULTY

LEVEL CHALLENGING

Hikers with mountain experience and fit.

Hikers confident walking for several days with demanding ascents and descents.

Terrain: Not well-marked paths and sometimes is necessary to do a little scramble.

ROUTES

Covadonga Lakes – Vegarredonda (Including Cotalba Peak) 13Km ⇑950m ⇓650m

Vegarredonda- Vegabaño 16Km ⇑1.000m ⇓1.100m

Vegabaño – Cain 17Km ⇑300m ⇓1.100m

Cain – Vega de Ario 7Km ⇑ 1.300m

Vega de Ario – Covadonga Lakes (Including Jultayu Peak 10Km ⇑350m ⇓650m

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

Water Bottle. Take at least a 1 litre personal water bottle.
Sun Hat, High Factor Sun Cream/Block & Lip Salve (Factor 15 or more)
Walking Boots or trekking shoes.
Trekking poles (recommended).
Waterproofs Breathable
Down Jacket After sunset,
Thick jumper/fleece jacket
Shorts and long trousers. Shorts are very comfortable to walk in, but also you must carry long pants.
Backpack 30-40 litres.
Light Towel & Light Sleeping Bag

INCLUDED

4 breakfast and 4 dinners	4 nights at Vega de Ario, Vegarredonda, Vegabaño Refuges and Diablo La Peña hostel
Map of the routes	English speaking certified guide
Insurances and taxes	All transports and listed activities

NOT INCLUDED

Picnic lunch. Can be purchased in the local shops or refuges.

Flights, airport transfers.

If you have around four or more people in your party, we can organise a private group departing on a date to suit you. They may all be a group of friends or just some individuals who wish to book a tour.

FROM COVADONGA LAKES TO VEGARREDONDA HUT INCLUDING COTALBA PEAK. Gradient: +950 m -650 m Distance: 13 Km Duration: 6-7 hours

Meeting up with the leader in Cangas de Onis. Check equipment and transfer to Covadonga Lakes. This is a classic walk in the Western massif of the Picos de Europa. We start walking from Pan de Carmen (just beyond Lake Enol) until Vegarredonda Refuge, is about one and quarter hours from Pan de Carmen and just before you reach the refuge many of the higher peaks of the western massif become visible. From the refuge onwards, there is a section of this walk which is slightly rockier though the path is well defined all the way. From here onwards, we often see chamois and at times they can be quite close to you. We soon come to the Ordiales refuge and beyond this point, the path is slightly less obvious. Then, almost without realising it, we’re at the Mirador de Ordiales where Pedro Pidal (the founder of the National Park Picos de Europa in 1918) was buried. Look over the top & marvel at the breathless views and 1,000m sheer drop down to the Angon Valley below. Now, we can be starting the ascent to the Cotalba peak. There’s an interesting little scramble just before we reach the top. Once on the summit, the high peaks of the western massif are almost close enough to touch, the lakes can be seen in the distance and the Ponga Mountains look as fantastic as ever. After taking full advantage of the vistas around us, we retrace our steps until Vegarredonda Hut. Dinner and overnight at the refuge.

FROM VEGARREDONDA REFUGE TO VEGABAÑO REFUGE. Gradient: + 1.000 m - 1.100 m Distance: 16 Km Duration: 8-9 hours

Today, it’s the hardest stage. When we leave the shelter, we go up until we reach Collado Les Merines (2.100 m). The green colour under our feet turns into a grey rock in an enormous limestone world through the Pozas Jou (karstic pothole). We will take a rest to drink some cool water from the Prieta spring. From one “jou” to another, we will cross stony ground before we reach the enormous Vega Huerta. We will continue along the marked path that takes us southwards down the Canal del Perro to the Frade shelter. From there we just have to make the easy descent among the beech trees that surround the Vegabaño shelter, where we will encounter some indescribable beauty spots such as the source of the Dobra River and the thousand-year-old oak tree of Vegabaño. After a well-earned rest, we’ll talk about the stage and the incredible trek before the last day. Dinner and overnight stay at the refuge

FROM VEGABAÑO REFUGE TO CAIN. Gradient: +300m -1.100m Distance: 17 Km Duration: 5-6 hours

Breakfast. We leave the Vegabaño shelter behind us and enter the beech grove, and going up a gentle slope we will pass the home of the capercaillie. Continuing through the virgin woodland we will go up the Dobres rock and we will start our descent into the Valdeon valley, among brooks, until the path starts to get wider and becomes a track that will take us to the village of Caldevilla. Having reached this point, we will follow the course of the Cares River to the village of Posada de Valdeón. At Posada de Valdeon we stop to have lunch and then we continue until the small village of Cain, which is the gate to the famous Cares Gorge. Dinner and accommodation at Albergue Diablo La Peña.

FROM CAIN TO VEGA DE ARIO REFUGE. Gradient: + 1.300m Distance: 7 Km Duration: 7 hours

Breakfast. We start walking into the famous Cares Gorge, crossing tunnels and bridges. Just before Bolin bridge, a sign indicates the start of the harsh Canal de Trea, a ravine that offers no respite until we reach the meadows of Vega de Ario, where we will take a well-earned rest and finish the stage. The impressive views of the central massif are a due reward for such a sacrifice. Dinner and overnight stay at the refuge.

FROM VEGA DE ARIO REFUGE TO COVADONGA LAKES INCLUDING JULTAYU PEAK. Gradient: + 350m – 650m Distance: 10 Km Duration: 5-6 hours

Breakfast. To finish this incredible trek we will climb to the summit of Jultayu (1,940 m). If there is another privileged place in addition to the Ordiales viewpoint in the Western Massif, it is the Jultayu Peak, where we will have incredible views of the entire Central Massif with its highest peaks, Torrecerredo, La Bermeja, Picos de los Cabrones, etc. depth of the Cares Gorge below them. We return again to the plain of Ario and from here the route is simple, practically all of it downhill and along a marked path. First a false plain to the Collado del Jito with magnificent views of the Central massif and then we cross the Jou Llaguiellu, the Bobias sheepfold until we reach Lake Ercina, where our vehicle awaits us to take us back to Cangas de Onis. RING OVERCOME!

DATES AND PRICES 2021

From 21st to 25th July
From 5th to 9th August
From 16th to 20th August
From 1st to 5th September
From 13th to 17th September.

€ 460

If you have around four or more people in your party, we can organise a private group departing on time to suit you. They may all be from a Walking Club or a group of friends or just some individuals who wish to book a tour.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

4 nights at Vega de Ario, Vegarredonda, Vegabaño Refuges and Diablo La Peña Hostel
4 Breakfast
4 dinners.
All transport and listed activities.
Guides – English speaking qualified/certified/approved guides
Insurances (walkers fully insured) and taxes

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:

Picnic lunch. Can be purchased in the refuges or local shops.
Flights. Airport transfers

INSURANCE INCLUDED IN THE PRICE.

This insurance covers exclusively the risks derived from the hiking activities foreseen in the trip.

It does not cover travel insurance.

TRAVEL INSURANCE OPTIONAL

All customers must have travel insurance. They have to bring this along with them and the guides will collect it at the start of the trip.

You may make your own arrangements regarding your travel insurance, or if you prefer you can purchase travel insurance from us. Ours covers specialized adventure activities including assistance and cancellation. Please, ask for our travel insurance with the table of benefits.

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ANILLO PICOS DE EUROPA HUT TO HUT

ANILLO PICOS DE EUROPA

TREK IN THE WESTERN MASSIF HUT TO HUT

HIGHLIGHTS

Sleep in the National Park Refuges and Talk with the wardens

Hike a stunning landscape affords unique views in the heart of the Picos de Europa

Experience a breath-taking part of the scenery of this National Park.

Hike through the stronghold of the last Cantabrian tribe that fought against the Roman troops.

See a rich and varied fauna. Among other species, there are chamois and Griffon vultures.