Today we will talk about Picos de Europa.
Located in southeast Asturias, southwest Cantabria, and northern Castilla y León, the craggy,
deeply fissured Picos de Europa provides some of Spain's best trekking terrain as well as
some of Europe's most breathtaking mountain landscapes.
The Picos are made up of three magnificent massifs: the Macizo Central, the Macizo El
Cornión, and the eastern Macizo ndara.
All three massifs are included in the 671 square kilometer Parque Nacional de Los Picos
de Europa.
Open meadows with cattle grazing in them are surrounded by a wild scenery of captivating
lakes and towering limestone peaks at the park's upper altitudes; below, sheer rock
walls tumble into a succession of breathtaking river gorges.
Let’s have a look at the top five things that you can do in Picos de Europa.
5.
Hop on the Fuente de Cable car Fuente Dé is one of the most remote mountain
communities in the Picos de Europa due to its location.
Liébana is a hidden village surrounded by steep peaks and situated in the center of
a glacial circus.
However, it receives a lot of visitors because it is one of the Cantabrian mountain range's
most fascinating features.
This is Fuente Dé's cable vehicle, El Cable.
It eliminates more than 750 meters of unevenness in one run and brings visitors closer to a
breathtaking perspective.
an opportunity to overcome dizziness while climbing the Caminito del Rey or Montfalcó.
The cable car has undergone numerous renovations and has succeeded in enhancing the area's
vibrancy.
2,500 people take it throughout the summer, and the officials predict that there may be
5,000 tourists overall.
It is, however, technically not possible.
In a 1,450-metre route, a total of 753 meters are saved.
Some of the best potential views of Liébana are left behind throughout the voyage, which
lasts less than four minutes.
Each cage can accommodate 20 passengers, although during rush hours it is advised to reserve
seats because they tend to sell out quickly.
Additionally, you may view Deva's source, a river that originates at the little Fuente
Dé.
This vital stream supports Potes and the Santo Toribio de Liébana monastery.
Once in Asturias, it follows the path of the Cares, a famous road that bears its name.
The Northern Way and the A-8 both travel through Unquera and Colombres after that as it continues
to follow the Asturian-Cantabrian border.
It is typically from there that one can access El Cable, passing through the stunning Hermida
Gorge on the route.
4.
Hike on the Cares trail The Divine Gorge is a hiking route that connects
Cain (León, Castilla y León) and Poncebos (Asturias), allowing you to traverse imposing
ravines and mountains over 2,000 meters high.
You'll walk through some 70 tunnels cut into the rock, view some breathtaking natural surroundings,
and cross bridges to get from one side of the gorge to the other.
The Cares Trail is consistently included on lists of Spain's most picturesque hiking routes.
Even though it isn't particularly difficult (apart from a few inclines), you should take
into account its duration and carefully plan your trip.
The river Cares did not alone contribute to the formation of this deep ravine.
Additionally, it is the product of engineering work done in the early 20th century to direct
water to the Poncebos hydroelectric plant.
This greatly facilitated going on this enjoyable walk without getting lost.
Observe the canal closely.
First off, it's helpful to know that you can start on the same trail in Asturias and travel
in the opposite direction.
It is simpler to start at Cain than Poncebos because there is a two-kilometer stretch of
quite steep uphill terrain there.
This section is downward if you proceed in the province of León.
Along the trip, there are picturesque locations worth taking pictures of, like the Bolin bridge,
the boardwalk at Pasarela de los Martinez, and the bridge at Los Rebecos.
It's wise to take your time and enjoy the trek.
Stop for a bite, observe how trees may grow in strange places, and observe the diversity
of species.
This trail never lets you down.
3.
Visit the picturesque town Potes This town is set against the spectacular eastern-southern
range of the Picos de Europa.
The region's capital, Liébana, is in charge of a traditionally agricultural and livestock-oriented
but now rural tourism-focused area.
The success of its holiday season has been influenced by the realism of the nearby mountains.
Due to its historical significance, gastronomy, unique traditions, and location in an unmatched
natural setting, the town is among the most alluring in the neighborhood.
Numerous bridges that straddle the river Deva and its tributary the Quiviesa span the streets
of Potes.
The San Cayetano Bridge and the Prison Bridge connect the two sections of the Old Town in
the meantime.
This is the centre of the historic district of the town, which has undergone renovation
but has managed to keep its medieval aspect.
The deconsecrated Church of San Vicente or the Old Church (14th–17th centuries), which
now houses an exhibition hall, is the first thing to see in Potes.
The New Church of San Vicente (19th century), which has notable Baroque altarpieces from
the former convent of San Raimundo but is otherwise of little aesthetic interest, is
located directly across from it.
The Jess de Monasterio Monument, created by P. Estany in 1903, is next to both of them
in a small garden.
At the end of the street that carries his name, the musician's birthplace has also been
preserved.
In Potes, there are four noteworthy chapels to visit.
These are the Hermitages of the Virgen del Camino, San Miguel, the Virgen de Valmayor,
and San Cayetano, which are all located close to the same-named bridge.
The second-to-last one is the most well-liked and is also the furthest from the town centre.
Every 15 August, the villagers parade alongside the Virgin on a platform.
The history of the Village of the Bridges and Towers is very distinctive.
The Tower of the Infantado, the Church of San Vicente, and Potes' numerous bridges are
some of the city's most notable features.
Although it only takes a morning to see them, it takes more days to unwind and experience
their secluded environment.
2.
Picos de Europa National Park The Picos de Europa National Park in Cantabria
is the eastern portion of one of Spain's largest protected areas, which also includes land
in the autonomous communities of Castile and León, the Principality of Asturias, and other
provinces.
The landscape where the mythical history of Asturias was created can be found among the
tallest peaks of the Cantabrian Mountains.
A beautiful karst mountain system has been created as a result of several geological
folds and glaciations that have molded a tortuous landscape from ice and the impact of water
on limestone.
The deep valleys and gorges that surround the three main massifs of this natural wonder
were created by the erosive passage of the sharp tongues of glacial ice and the force
of the river’s waters, which still dissolve the limestone and sculpt the rock to their
whim.
The Cantabrian Picos de Europa are a part of the park's Atlantic forest habitat, which
is characterized by oaks and beeches.
The cows of the surrounding ranchers graze freely in the alpine meadows during the months
when there is no snow.
The fauna is typical of the entire mountain range, including bears, wolves, deer, and
lots of wild boars and roe deer in the lower regions.
Otters can be spotted in the streams, but chamois rule the more rocky, vegetated hillsides.
Binoculars are always an excellent choice because you can see the bald eagle, bearded
vulture, and Egyptian vulture in flight.
The major entry to the Cantabrian Picos de Europa is near the town of Potes.
The majority of visitors then proceed to Fuente Dé, where they can ride an 800-meter-high
cable car that takes them to a plain with breathtaking views.
1.
Lakes of Covadonga The Lakes of Covadonga are located slightly
over 20 kilometers from Cangas de Ons town.
Due to their close proximity to the magnificent Shrine of Covadonga and their mirage-like
appearance amid the breathtaking high mountain sceneries, these lakes are a naturalist's
heaven.
They are easily accessible by road, and the area has a number of paths to explore.
You must go to this Green Spain site at least once in your lifetime, regardless of whether
you enjoy mountaineering or are just a traveler looking for spectacular vistas.
The top of Pea Santa de Enol can be seen extending upward from Lake Ercina, which is the most
elevated in the area.
The region around Lake Enol, which has a depth of more than 20 meters, is perhaps the best
place to have a picnic in peace and quiet.
The Picos de Europa National Park is the ideal location to unwind and simply get away from
it all.
A visit to this natural retreat is exactly what you need if the crowded sights of Madrid
or Barcelona get to be too much for you while you are in Spain.
How fascinating did you find the mountains of Picos de Europa?
Let us know in the comments below.
And as always, where to next?