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...

Average Review Rating: from 41 reviews.

Deirdre Wells

So much wilder than I expected

Written September 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Traversing a path across a high green ridge on day one, with a Griffin Vulture and a Golden Eagle hovering above, flowers under my feet and sparkling air full of the sound of tinkling cowbells. I could just feel the stress and dirt of life at home stream out of me. So many 'Hills are alive ' kind of moments seemed to turn everyone on the trip into a jolly nice person, and we all felt like starting on a new life by the end.
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What did you think of your group leader?
Absolutely charming, and knowledgeable about wildlife etc, but not great at moving around the group - tended to stay with the fastest hikers. He was unfortunately called on as an emergency relief cook etc at the hotel base, so we didn't get to sit around and talk much about aspects of local life other than hiking and wildlife. Clearly very proud of the area, and genuinely local. Also gorgeous.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
They really mean all seasons in a day - sunscreen/cagoule/fleece/gloves/swimsuit.
Bars and restauarants in the village definitely worth visiting.
Scree very slippy after rain - even those completely opposed bought sticks during the week, and they really helped. And much cheaper in the village than in England (about 10E a pair)
Do Bilbao on the way out, not at the end. Bit of a let down to be in the traffic and on pavements after the mountains.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A good trek for a party of friends/reunion sort of week.
Day out we took the canoeing option - great day.
On the week I was there, the village seemed to be the world centre for bikers on long life changing journeys (well - about a dozen of them anyway)- excellent company in the bar(and the roads are empty anyway)
Julian D Routh

A spectacular holiday with very few others on the mountains

Written September 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The most pleasant aspect of the holiday was to spend a week in some glorius mountains with excellent walking but with virtualy no others around
A part of Spain rarely advertised and very different from the Costas that most people visit
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What did you think of your group leader?
An excellent leader who knew the routes well with additional information and also a very pleasant addition to the group on a social basis as well.
Was vey considerate to the slower members of the party.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Although we had good weather these mountains will have rapid changes so be prepared
Deirdre Ryan

Tough walking in a beautiful location

Written September 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Beautiful sceanery.

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What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader was good - very helpfull to me when I had trouble with a dodgy knee.    I would caution, however, that he is so fit himself that his estimation of how difficult a particular day might be should be taken in view of his own fitnes!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Having done a number of Exodus trips in the past I would advise people that this is a tough Grade B.   While the views are wonderful there is a lot of uphillwalking.    Also the weather is somewhat unpredictable.   I picked this part of Spain for its more moderate Summer temperatures.   However it was extremely hot on the week I did the tour - this made the climb that bit more difficult. Come prepared for this type of weather.
This is a lovely part of Spain. If you have time spend a little longer in the area.   I spent a few day in Bilbao and the coast to San Sebastain and it was great.   Alternatively get the hotel to arrange a taxi to bring you to the nearest beach (40 minutes) on the free day.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
With regard to the food the breakfasts and dinners at the hotel were very good - wholesome, typical food of the region.
The packed lunches were not so good - preprepared rolls - often fairly squashed and messy by the time it came to eat them.
The hotel also offered Yoga classes - good teacher - beautiful yoga studio.
Ruth Davies

A bruise and beautiful views

Written September 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The Cares Gorge walk was probably my favourite of the day walks. Jorge told us that during the summer months, thousands of people each day walk through the Gorge (which must be hideous) but we had it virtually all to ourselves for the whole day and, whilst we never made it to the bar at the far end in Cain (allegedly it was just around the corner!) the peace, tranquility and splendour of the Gorge stays in my mind
Canyoning on our day off with Victor was also a great craic. Rachel put us up to it and the bottle of white at dinner the night before provided the Dutch courage! Five of us ventured up the canyon with Victor and all 5 of us emerged at the other end having spent the intervening 6 hours slipping, sliding, plunging, jumping, swimming and abseiling our way down. It is probably the most fun I've ever had soaking wet in neoprene and Victor's smile more than made up for the bruises!
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What did you think of your group leader?
Couldn't fault Jorge - knowledgeable, friendly, approachable, sickeningly fit (in the purely physiological sense of the word!) and good fun. Jim and Pilar were gracious hosts and all the people who worked at the hotel seemed pleased to have us there and never failed to knock up some delicous food when we arrived home each evening.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Fab. Go.
I didn't but if they have the time, take some days at the beginning or the end of the week to explore the area as it is truly beautiful ... great walks, towering mountains, hairpin mountain passes, lovely food, friendly locals and Bilboa with the Guggenheim.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Bilboa airport has got to be the easiest airport ever to fly through. All Exodus trips should pass through it - it's a breeze
As a group towards the end of the week we did question the local payment as we couldn't quite see what it was spent on ... unless it went on the noxious blue cheese they kept trying to get me to eat? It may be a local delicacy/speciality but it should come with a health warning in my opinion.
Simon Lowe

Walking in the Picos

Written September 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Sitting on the summit of Cabeza la Mesa, watching vultures soaring on thermals and cloud pouring over ridges in the valley below. Awesome!
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What did you think of your group leader?
Jorge was an excellent leader. He had a great sense of humour, made time for everyone and his enthusiasm for the outdoors and his knowledge of local traditions and culture in Asturias was inspiring. I learned so much more about Spain than I expected to.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Try the local cider. There's an art to the way it's poured which really makes a difference to the taste.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A great trip for those who like dramatic mountain scenery. The Picos are unlike any other range in Europe. Apart from the odd bit of (optional) scrambling, this trip would suit anyone used to fell-walking in the UK.
Deborah Lincoln

Paradise Peaks and Gorgeous Gorges (and Georges)

Written September 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

These peaks (and gorges) are truly inspirational. Some of the most dramatic scenery in Europe, stunning views from the tops, which are well worth the sometimes steep climbs, and incredibly beautiful luscious meadows in between. Gushing prisine streams, waterfalls and pools, and delicious drinkable water from the springs on most walks, a real and rare treat. Lovely goats too, if that's your sort of thing!
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What did you think of your group leader?
Jorge/George, our local guide (there is no group leader, as such) was excellent. Really fun, knowledgeable, always helpful and proactive. We all enjoyed being with him and appreciated his guidance. I particularly did as my boots were hurting on one day and he offered to wear them for me and lend me his (more comfortable) walking shoes! Now that's dedication.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't get your hopes up as regards food. The food at the hotel was average, at best, and sometimes really bad, especially for the vegetarians in the group. So you might want to stock up with your own cereal (breakfast was particularly bad).
Take waterproofs. We were lucky wth the weather but the whole season other than our week was atrocious and I was told by locals that it rains a lot for a great deal of the time.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It's a great trip and I'd recommend it to anyone who loves fairly strenuous hiking and fantastic views and is prepared to put up with a bit of bad weather. The only disappointment about the trip was the food at the hotel. But the one night we ate in the village the food was great! Maybe Exodus should consider putting people in the hotel on a bed and breakfast basis (and picnic lunches of course, they were OK) - there seem to be several good options for eating elsewhere, five minutes walk away, But the bar at the hotel is great - we spend many happy hours in there!