Walking The Picos De Europa

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Linda Paton

  PICOS PEAKS & GORGES

  

  Written October 2010

  Comfortable, friendly, 'laid back' hotel with great food - loved the generous provision of packed lunches as well as the evening meals.  Very competent and knowledgeable local guides.  Stunning walks and scenery well worth the challenge of the steep uphills! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Standing on the peak of Macondiu and slowly taking in the astounding 360 degree panorama of the Picos ranges.

  Taking a well earned lunch break on a high sunny meadow and hearing nothing but the sound of cow bells.

  Taking off my hot sweaty boots and feeling the lovely refreshing icy cold water on my feet as we picked our way across a faster than usual flowing river.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Victor - an absolute gem. Fantastic local knowledge personalised through his family connections.  Excellent communication skills. Sensitive to the needs and varied abilities of the group.  Hot on health and safety without belabouring it.  I had complete confidence in him.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared for some challenging but rewarding walking.  Check the dates on the trip notes as some weeks are upgraded from 'moderate' to 'challenging'.  I didn't and got a bit more than I bargained for, but I'm told that even the 'moderate' rated weeks are still quite tough if you're not at your fittest and/or used to long, often steep uphill walks.  The clue's in the name, really "Peaks and Gorges"!

   
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  Elaine Kerrell

  PICOS PEAKS & GORGES

  

  Written August 2010

  A week is not enough to explore the Picos but did give a flavour of the area and made me want to see more. The very relaxed start each day (10am) was a welcome surprise and was a reflection of the ambience of the hotel, the leaders and the area. Nothing was rushed or too much trouble. A thoroughly enjoyable holiday and one that I would highly recommend.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Seeing Spain beat Germany and celebrating with Spanish people with cava flowing freely and fireworks going off. Not to be missed.

  Walking through rich, waiste-high wildflower meadows, the sun shining and griffin vultures flying overhead. Very special.

  Sharing tappas with a group of like-minded people at the end of the holiday and learning how to pour cidra from a great height.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Victor is an enormously experienced and well-qualified guide who also has an infectious joy in his approach to life, coupled with an amazing ability to spin a yarn - never letting the truth get in the way of a good story. He is a joker!!!

  Victor has a seemingly relaxed approach but with an awarenss of the ability of each person in the group, allowing everyone to set their own pace yet still keeping the group together. He does not lead from the front unless the conditions require it but keeps good contact with everyone in the group. Before each walk, he gave very good instructions, so that we knew what to expect, though often it was a lot easier that he implied and the 'very tough' section never materialised.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you are of average fitness and walk regularly, the walking will be well within your capabilities. Some of the climbs can be a little tough, but no worse than walking in the lake district and much easier than some of the hill and mountain walking in Scotland.

  The walks are in the peaks and gorges but the gorges involve climbing up not down!!

  If you are not fit and have done little walking before, then this is not for you.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Jim and Pilar are great hosts. Nothing is too much trouble and they want you to enjoy your stay.

   The food is very varied and they accomodated wheat intolerance with ease.

   
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  Sheila Taylor

  PICOS PEAKS & GORGES

  

  Written June 2010

  Varied walking in great company 

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  Excellent. Well informed local guide who socialised well with the group. 

   
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  ariane todes

  PICOS PEAKS & GORGES

  

  Written April 2010

  A fantastic holiday - spectacular and varied scenery, delicious food, lovely staff and a great bunch of fellow travellers. Physically quite tough so I came back feeling fantastically fit, as well as totally relaxed from not having to make any decisions and being totally looked after. I was there when the volcano chaos struck and Victor and Pilar drove us all the way to St Malo overnight and wouldn't take more than petrol money. That's just an indication of the level of customer dedication! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  So many!

  The monster uphill slog from Urdon to Tresviso to eat local cheese and then cooling off with some remnants of snow at the end of the walk.

  Crossing the river (can't remember which one) twice - once on the log bridge and once on the stepping stones.

  Victor's 'yokes'.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Victor is absolutely brilliant. Informed, good company, funny, responsible - definitely one of the reasons the holiday was so great.

  Pilar and Jim at the hotel are also lovely. Pilar went beyond the course of duty to make sure we were okay getting home after the volcano and they really will do anything for you.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  I was happy doing the walks without sticks, but I did my knee in on the last walk, so I might think about taking sticks next time. Some of the walks are quite tough and I really enjoyed the challenge, but if you're not reasonably fit you should probably think twice about it, although everyone can go at their own pace. Some of the climbs are quite hair-raising, so not for those with vertigo.

  For the evening out you could try the tapas at the Cideria - much better than the restaurant they booked for us.

  This is a really great holiday, so just book it!

   
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  debby moss

  PICOS PEAKS & GORGES

  

  Written October 2009

  A beautiful and little-known part of Spain: stunning scenery and a lovely collection of varied walks. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Every time you turn around, or lift your head from the next few steps, there is a stunning view to be taken in or photographed. And at the top end of the Cares gorge on a hot day, take your boots off and refresh them in the icy water - it'll have you skipping again!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Great company, knowledgable and entertaining.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Relax and enjoy it all, there's no pressure.

   
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  Mike Linehan

  PICOS PEAKS & GORGES

  

  Written May 2009

  Two things to start with Its nice to see that Exodus use a local operator who knows the area well & can adapt to the changing weather conditions.  The hotel though one star was very good.  You were welcome to use the kitchen for tea/coffee 24 hours.  All linen was changed daily & the bedrooms were immaculate.  Internet was available at reception.  Jim is on working wireless access at the moment. The hotel gets nearly 40% of its power from Solar panels.  If you are here for the week, they run a tab system for drinks if you want.  Water on day hikes is sold at cost €1. The food was nourishing & had a vegetarian option & gave our group a good option for a chat at breakfast & dinner. The views from the hotel are wonderful.  Each hike starts each morning at 10 with a briefing followed by the hike which usually lasts 7 to 8 hours.  The guides are careful to make sure each person can manage the pace.  They have a lovely relaxed attitude.  If a hike gets too tough or people are suffering the guide can call up Jim to get a lift for people who are finding it hard.  Folks still do the walk & everyone goes away with a feeling of achievement. The scenery simply blows you away & for photographers it is simply paradise. The restaurant recommended for our night off was close by & wonderful with Sheep passing by causing a traffic jam on our second meal there. The staff & guides deserve the praise our group rightly gave them.  Nothing was too much trouble.  Would I go back, book the ticket & I am on my way.  This place would be great at least once or twice a year just for relaxation plus the other things listed above.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The care given when people needed help & how all the group walked together with a smile each day

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Both Victor & Pilar were guides of the highest order

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you are looking for a fancy hotel forget it! But a home from home atmosphere with friendly staff then this is for you.  Plus the beds are lovely & comfy.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Photographers!

  Do not carry to much equipment.  A 2 camera limit 1 compact & 1 slr or go into serious training.  I used Canon 5d mark 11 & 24-105mm lens with 2 custom settings mixed with a polariser for most of the photos I shot. 

   
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  Anna Franks

  PICOS PEAKS & GORGES

  

  Written April 2009

  Wonderful scenery and outstanding hospitality, which got me through a trip which was more challenging than I had expected.  I feel this trip should be classed as C because of the steep terrain and the length of walks.  The Picos are stunningly beautiful! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  For me, the last day, when I managed the whole thing almost effortlessly, having struggled  till then.  The only time I climbed an optional summit and was it worth it! I had never walked through snow that high up, sunbathing at the same time.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  We had two, Victor, the first day, and Pilar. Victor was good, but didn't quite make it clear how much water we should carry, and I and others got dehydrated on the first day. Pilar was wonderful in every way - walked at the back with me, encouraged me, and was full of lively information about the area, Spain, the Civil War, everything. And she lent me her rucksack.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Yes. As well as good boots, make sure you have a good rucksack with a waist strap and something to hold it away from your back, so that you can carry lots of water without it feeling too heavy. A camel pack for water might help too.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  It was my first trip with Exodus and it was great. It was good being in a group, as people supported each other, and I heard lots of travellers' tales.  I hope to go on another walking holiday,although I shall check carefully that it really is B not C!

   

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