Picos de Europa

Picos de Europa (Peaks of Europe) National Park is in located in the mountainous part of the northern Spain regions - Asturias, Cantabria and Castile and León. This wooded limestone mountain range is particularly popular with hikers and climbers in the summer due to its scenic beauty.

There are three parts of the masif:

• West: El Cornión - with the highest point Peña Santa (2596 m)
• Central: Los Urrieles
• East: Andara. Here, the 43.060506-4.6650241 Liébana Valley is also designated as a bird sanctuary (ZEPA). The 22-km-long Deva River flows through the 43.264456-4.6234422 La Hermida Gorge. Its limestone walls are up to 600 m high. The road through it is very scenic, but cannot be passed quickly due to serpentines and villages scattered along.

The rivers Deva (with tributaries Quiviesa and Bullón), Duje, Cares and Sella flow through the area to their mouths near 43.375-4.5147223 Unquera . Here you can find sea lampreys, salmon, white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes), otters, and the nocturnal Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus).

When driving in by the car, some information can be retrieved in 43.181991-4.6016361 Tama info center or 43.136296-5.0379682 Oseja de Sajambre info center.

• 43.25769-4.8303474 Funicular de Bulnes. A funicular that starts in Poncebos and ends near the 43.238208-4.8233413 Bulnes mountain village.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 43.145556-4.815 Fuente Dé. Operates depending on the season, in high season buying ticket upfront may save you even hours waiting in the queue. Does vertical 750 m (2,460 ft) in just 5 minutes  

• 43.2-4.8166691 Naranjo de Bulnes (Pico Uriellu). Probably the most famous mountain of the area, 2,518 m (8,261 ft) high. Climbing the mountain is difficult on all routes and heavily frequented during the summer months. According to the UIAA scale, even the easiest ascent via the south face falls into class V (Very high difficulty). At the foot of the mountain lies the glacial valley of Vega Urriellu. The ascent to the base of the summit can be made via several hiking trails in the area. The most popular routes start in Poncebos and lead via Bulnes and Camburero, as well as in Sotres and via Pandébano.  (updated Aug 2026)
  • For those who don't fancy hiking up, 43.259231-4.8376452 Mirador del Urriellu near Poncebos may be an option.
• 43.153611-4.6233333 Potes. Located at the confluence of four valleys, the historic city is pretty attractive to tourists. The century old buildings combined with gastronomy and shopping options make it quite busy during high season. Several parking places surround the city.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 43.268293-4.9858744 Lagos de Covadonga (Lakes of Enol). Two glacial lakes, original center of the area. The lakes are reachable by car, but during peak season only shuttle busses are allowed. It is recommended to book the busses upfront.  (updated Aug 2026)

• Undertake the demanding 7–9 days, 110–115 km, about 9,000 m (30,000 ft) of cumulative ascent hike El Anillo de Picos
• Start by taking the cable car Fuente dé - though hiking up is possible too. After that, several less and more demanding hikes are available:
  • Reach an 43.18063-4.833361 unnamed viewpoint of Uriellu (only part of the mountain is visible), about 4-5 hr total (9 km (5.6 mi) long, 600 m (2,000 ft) altitude difference), via a nicely maintained path.
• Stop along the main road in La Hermida Gorge and take one of the many hikes there

• 43.17613-4.834181 Cabaña Verónica. A tiny refuge only able to hold a few people  .
• 43.226764-4.7928282 Refugio de la Terenosa, ☏ +34 630552016. An alpine hut.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 43.202768-4.821533 Refugio Vega de Urriellu. A hut under the Uriellu peak.  (updated Aug 2026)

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