Spain - Picos de Europa Mountains
2012 dates Sept 22nd - Oct 1st.
1250 Euros, 10 days/9 nights.
The Picos de Europa National Park
The incredible Picos de Europa Mountains are situated about 110 km southwest of Santander. The main ranges are of white/pink limestone and are very abrupt - somewhat similar to The Dolomites in Italy. High peaks (up to 2650m, 0r 8500 ft) are interspersed with deep beech, chestnut and oak-forested valleys, with lovely little villages, where centuries old farming methods are still practised.
Here, you can find (and hike through) one of the deepest gorges in the world - deeper even than The Grand Canyon! Nearby are other spectacular ranges (Cantabrian Mountains) within easy striking distance where we can also hike and experience unusual landscapes of conglomerate and schist, as well as limestone.
Staying with our English friends Mike and Lisa, in their lovely renovated farmhouse in a small hamlet near Potes with beautiful views, we’ll take daily walks in the valleys, along the ridges - and high up above the tree line. We’ll also walk the magnificent Cares Gorge, a breathtaking 2000 metre deep cleft between two high massiffs with an amazing footpath hewn from the rocky sides - really one of the great largely unknown natural wonders of the world. We might also possibly spend a night in a mountain hut (refugio) - giving us the opportunity to reach the highest parts of the range where "limestone pavements" and jagged peaks are the home to wild creatures such as mountain Chamoix, Griffon Vultures and Eagles. In this case, we would traverse over the central massive in two days.
This option is only mentioned because some people might want to do that 'adventurous thing', but we might just stick to day hikes.The hikes are very varied and will range from valley bottom walks to walks high above the tree line. Many walks will find us passing through remote villages where time seems to have stood still and the luxuries of the 21st century are only just beginning to appear, such as paved roads and electricity.
Brown bears and wolves still inhabit these mountains.To reach the highest parts of the central range, there is a very spectacular cable car that whisks us up over 2500 feet in one sweep, making the very high tops much more easily acccessible for day hikes.
The climate here in autumn is very pleasant - often with warm sunshine by day - up to 30C. In late September, the wild flowers are a little past their peak, but the fruits of the land are bountiful and freely available for the picking as we walk - walnuts, grapes, apples, figs, chestnuts, etc. Perhaps the most stunning thing to observe is the breathtaking scenery and wildlife - and the flora of the wild hay meadows (calcareous) is particularly lovely, with for example, many species of wild orchids and many beautiful grasses.
Delicious evening meals and hearty breakfasts - the hospitality at Casa Gustavo is superb - with charming accommodation in this lovely converted old farmhouse, with en-suite rooms, wonderful meals and warm hospitality. All excellent local cuisine - plus local red wine (very palatable) is included every night! Our local guide Mike is a great entertainer and will have you in stitches...
Transport is provided, including collection and return from/to Santander Airport, from where daily flights to the UK are very reasonable.
1250 Euros includes everything, even red wine and spirits every evening! (10 days/9 nights)
Please complete our enquiry form for a fully illustrated 2012 itinerary.