Walking The Picos de Europa

Essential Information

Trip Profile

5 days centre-based walking and 1 free day. Altitude maximum 2214m, average 1500m.

Accommodation

7 nights at the family-run Hotel Torrecerredo.

Food

7 breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 5 dinners included.

Reality Check

The walking here is varied and spectacular, with some superb scenery at the higher levels.

Over the course of the week we will try and tackle two classic gorges and one peak in each of the three massifs in the Picos de Europe, Spain's first national park. Most of the walking is on shepherds paths, old disused mining paths and some sections of Roman 'roads', although the final ascents of the peaks can be quite rough underfoot.

All the trips are graded B (Moderate). However, we also offer 3 departures as Grade C (challenging). This is to offer those that wish the opportunity to ascend the higher peaks.

It is important to be assured of your fitness on these departures.

For 2013 the Grade C departures are 15th June, 7th September and 26th October.

As in all mountain ranges, the weather is unpredictable and this may affect several walks. With changeable weather it should be expected that on some rare occasions higher-level walks may not be available. Although please be assured that our local contacts are always able to find a suitable alternative.

Normal group size and age

Normally 6 to 16 plus leader. Minimum age 16.

Icons explained

The vast majority of Exodus adventures are adult group holidays. Groups are always small in size. We strongly believe that this adherence to small groups means a better experience for all; more time with your guide, less waiting around and a reduced impact on the communities and environments visited.
Each group is generally made up of like-minded travellers - with singles, couples and friends all joining in together. All these trips are suitable for single travellers, but if you prefer to travel with clients booking individually, please see our Solo Departures page.

No experience is necessary; those who take weekend hill walks in areas like the Peak District or Cotswold’s at home should manage a B-grade trek; good health and reasonable fitness are important. These Moderately graded departures are either fairly easy medium-duration walks or harder, shorter walks.

Walking & Trekking: Trips are wholly trekking-focused or simply include a significant number of walking days during the itinerary.

Wildlife: Trips may be wholly wildlife focused, or contain an element of wildlife viewing within a less specific itinerary.

Wilderness: Visit the deserts, jungles, plateaux, tundra and mountains of all seven continents, including Antarctica.

For those clients who wish to travel with a group of other solo/single travellers, on certain trips we have set aside departure dates that are specifically recommended for clients booking individually. Solo departures are aimed at taking away that concern that you may be the only solo traveller when you arrive overseas. Look out for the solo departures (marked with a grey icon's') by checking the notes in the dates and prices table.
However, please note that we inform any couples, or friends travelling together, who enquire about these dates that the trip is recommended for solos, but we do not refuse bookings from non-solo travellers, and we are therefore not able to guarantee that a solo departure will be exclusively made up of solo travellers.