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Self-guided hiking in Picos de Europa plus Bilbao and the North Coast.

Map Self-guided hiking in Picos de Europa plus Bilbao and the North Coast.

Contrasts of Nature and Culture.

Together with passionate local mountaineers who know the Picos de Europa mountain range like the back of their hand, Spain is More has designed this exclusive hiking excursion through one of the most beautiful and dramatic mountain ranges in Europe.

The recommendations, warnings, and experiences of the guides and the organization are condensed in the guide provided by Spain is More, which offers the necessary safety and guidance for the route, ensuring that you enjoy the region in the most appropriate way.

 

"Experience the combination of exceptional nature, culture, and authentic Northern Spanish gastronomy."

 

It is an unforgettable experience to explore the most remote areas of the Picos de Europa, and during four days of hiking, you will cross the mountain range twice.

Each night, you will stay in different mountain hotels, where typical dishes and authentic experiences await you when the tranquility sets in after the day tourists have gone. Daily, you will walk between 4 and 8 hours, reaching altitudes of up to 2 kilometers.

It is an ideal route for nature lovers, good gastronomy, and peculiarities such as small cheese dairies and other local micro-producers, which you will have the opportunity to get to know closely. Moreover, the trip offers close contact with the local culture and daily life, an experience that few tourists achieve, as the overnight towns are small communities that have not yet succumbed to tourism and operate as they always have.

This trip includes stays in Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country, and in one of the most charming coastal towns along the beautiful green coast of northern Spain. If you have specific preferences for before and/or after the hike, we are happy to tailor the trip to meet your wishes.

Bilbao adds a touch of charm to the trip with its delicious pinchos and the famous Guggenheim Museum. A touch of urban life before you dive into the mountains.

After the hike, Llanes awaits you. This idyllic fishing village is located on the beautiful northern Spanish coast. The Camino de Santiago (northern route) passes through this town, and if you still feel energetic, you can walk one of the most beautiful stages of the Camino del Norte from here. Llanes is the ideal starting point for a variety of local experiences, about which you can read more in the included guide. Magnificent beaches, restaurants, driving routes, and much more await you in Llanes.

Picos de Europa literally means "Peaks of Europe," a name that comes from fishermen and, in more colorful versions of the story, from explorers, as the snow-capped peaks were the first thing they saw of the coast when arriving by sea.

The region is a well-guarded secret that locals zealously protect to maintain its authentic charm and quality. No wonder, given that the immense beauty of the place is not only ideal for an active vacation but is also a gastronomic treasure, whose delicious local dishes necessitate staying active between meals.

Check the practical information about hiking in the Picos de Europa in the FAQ section on the right.

Find inspiration articles about your trip to the Picos de Europa here and here.

This trip is available from June to mid-September, as there may be snow in the other months.

Traversing the most desolate parts of the Picos de Europa Mountains is no small task and during the four days of trekking, hikers will cross the mountain range twice.

This includes overnights at four charming mountain hotels. The trip is an unforgettable journey through some of the mountain chain’s finest regions (hiking routes vary with difficulty from intermediate to difficult over all passages).

Your vacation combines two days in Bilbao, where you’ll marvel at the impressive Guggenheim Museum (among other treasures), followed by two nights at the glorious Green Northern Coast of Spain.

The Picos de Europa (Europe’s peaks) mountain range is a well-kept secret as Spaniards lovingly watch over and preserve its authentic charm and quality. The region’s vast beauty is not only ideal for an active vacation, but also provides a gastronomic treasures, where the delicious local cuisine activities between meals. On this selfguided trip with Spain is More, you stay two nights in the best hotels in terms of authentic charm, local cuisine and superb service. Delve deep into the mountains and soak in the most lush and pristine sites.

It is also a trip where you must respect the forces of nature and not wander off without properly preparing yourself. Spain is More ensures that you will be well outfitted and ready for surprises that may arise.

Travelers will see valleys, mountains and lovely alpine villages and will cross the mountain range at least twice, following one of the most famous of the official trails, the Ruta del Cares.

This four-day hike with a backpack requires reaching a new goal each day. Store the rest of your luggage at the mountain hotel where you stay overnight before and after the four-day hike. Spain is More provides maps, GPS-coordinates for your phone, hotel bookings and other details so you can concentrate on enjoying nature.

The tour combines two nights on the preserved, lush northern coast, with some of Spain’s most pristine beaches, and a variety of thrilling sites for everyone. The coast specializes in fish and shellfish in contrast to the mountains where cheeses, meats and beans are standard fare.

An amazing trip where pictures speak louder than words... (see pictures above).

This trip is available from June to beginning of October, as snow may occur in the other months.

 

Spain is More Offers...

✔ Daily Departures from June to mid- September.

Personalized digital guide from Spain is More, packed with practical route information and recommendations.

✔ 4 días de senderismo por las rutas más bonitas de los PIcos de Europa

✔ Las playas más espectaculares

✔ Los mejores consejos de restaurantes para que disfrutas de las mejor de las gastronomía.

 

It includes
  1. 9 x nights in double room in stunning hoteles selected for their quality, location and authentical charme. 
  2. 9 x breakfast.
  3. Rented car all days. Category: Ford Fiesta or similar (inclusive taxes and basic insurance). Upgrade when more that 3 pax.
  4. Spain-is-More-Digital- Travel Guidebook
  5. GPS coordinates for the hiking route for your phone. If you do not have a smartphone, you can borrow a Garmin GPS from Spain is More.
  6. Entrance to Guggenheim.
  7. Teleférico Fuente Dé - (one way only).
  8. 24/7 emergency telephone number.
  9. Taxes.
Optional
  1. Personalise your trip: Extended stays, transportation to startingpoint from anywhere in the world and back, add interesting and authentic experiences etc. Please ask us, we will be happy to assist you.
  2. Extension of stay in Bilbao, Picos de Europa, the Green Coast etc. can be arranged.
  3. Printed Guide: If you prefer a printed guide, it's available for €30 per copy. (You can add this when booking your trip)
  4. Cancellation insurence: 6% of total price (can be added when ordering).

Self-guided hiking in Picos de Europa plus Bilbao and the North Coast.

From
1.290 EUR/pers.
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Single room supplement: 220 EUR

Daily program

Self-guided hiking in Picos de Europa plus Bilbao and the North Coast.

Detailed itinerary (view all days )
Day 1: Arrival to Bilbao

During the afternoon or the next morning (depending on your time of arrival), you will visit the Guggenheim Museum (entry included in the price) and you can visit the Old Town in Bilbao and enjoy its marvelous "pinchos," a small snack, typically eaten in bars, traditional in northern Spain and especially popular in the Basque country and Navarre.

Day 3: Picos de Europa

On the way to the mountains you'll find interesting old villages, stunning beaches and picturesque churches and monasteries. These exciting sites can be found in Spain is More guidebook.

Picos de Europa provides plenty of mountain fun before tomorrow’s active hikes, including a pool, good food and stores to buy supplies for the four-day hiking trip. During the first three days, there are no supermarkets, but you stay at cozy little mountain hotels where an attentive “mother” stands in the kitchen, so you will not go to bed hungry.

Day 4: Hike from Fuente Dé to Sotres

(13 km. easy hiking) The luggage can be left at the hotel, and you will only need to bring a few possessions for the hike. The trekking-GPS will be handed over at the hotel, and need to be delivered back after the hike. 

From the hotel you'll drive to the end of the Valle de Liebena valley, to Fuente Dé. A gondola takes you up to 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) where the hike begins. The first hike passes one of most stunning mountain massifs of the Picos de Europa, through valleys, plateaus and high passes. The stage ends in the small mountainvillage Sotres, which has some good restaurants to pamper yourself after the hike.

Perfil:

Day 5: Hike from Sotres to Bulnes

The stage is short, only aprox. 10 km. (6,2 miles) but with a steep descent.

There are easier alternatives, which are described in the guidebook. You stay in a small secluded mountain town  inaccessible by car. Enjoy the local country kitchen and the huge mountain ranges surrounding the village with breathtaking scenery few places can match.

Perfil:

Day 6: Hike Ruta del Cares

(23 km. easy hike) Today we’ll explore one of Spain’s most famous and precious hiking trails, Ruta del Cares. The route passes through a deep canyon where mountains tower high on both sides of the path. You feel miniscule compared to the large dimensions around you. Stay overnight in a small mountain village hotel where the view and the well-deserved dinner are unbeatable.

Day 7: Hike back to Fuente Dé

(9-12 km. easy to difficult hike depending on route choosen) Cross Picos de Europa again toward the starting point via the steepest climb to the tour’s highest point. From the top, views are phenomenal (weather-permitting) and after the well-deserved climb, eat a pack lunch leisurely before heading toward the valley, back to the starting point. That night, stay overnight at the same hotel as the first night in the mountains.

Perfil:

Days 8-9: The Green Coast

Guests can either choose an extra night in the mountains or spend the next two nights in a lovely setting on the coast. The Spanish coast has a wide range of fabulous attractions, beautiful coastal towns, wonderful restaurants, fantastic beaches and lush countryside offer limitless opportunities for marvelous adventures. You will stay at a lovely hotel in a coastal town to provide rest and reflection on your impressive hiking achievements.

Day 10: Departure from Bilbao

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