Walking the Picos de Europa

This is a fantastic opportunity to walk in dramatic limestone country. The routes are varied and not too challenging, the wild flowers amazing and the accommodation, food and staff first class. I have travelled with Exodus many times over the last 16 years and this is one of the best.

We all think that Spain is an arid country with every town heaving with tourists, music blaring from every club, drunks roaming the street !! Well think again. The Picos de Europa is the northern mountain range in Spain, with lush flora; fantastic gorge and mountain views; small villages and hamlet, and a so very different part of Spain. We spent the last week of June on this trip and enjoyed every minute. The hotel may only be 1 star, but is comfortable, has fantastic buffet breakfasts (cereal, fruits, drinks, meats, cheese, bread, etc), ample packed lunches (with choices of baguette filling, chocolate and muesli bars), and sublime 4 course evening meals (with 3 choices of main course). The tour leader Nacho (Ignachio) was extremely proficient and friendly, ready with useful information and, very much, part of the group. The variety of landscape, local flora, long gorges, wonderful mountain peaks lead to some great experiences and unbelievably beautiful views. One of our best Exodus trips so far, and so close to the UK

Spent a glorious week walking the unspoilt, peaceful and beautiful Picos. The weather was perfect for walking with only 1 day of light drizzle, breaking the otherwise dry and sunny week. We did a mixture of walks ranging from summiting twice at just over 2000 metres above the tree line through to a coastal walk to Llanes. Alfonso our guide was a true man of the mountains, born in the Region and with a real love and passion for the Picos as well as having a really calm and peaceful persona. The hospitality and home cooking at the hotel was excellent throughout the week and each day you can admire the glorious views of the Picos over breakfast and dinner, cloud cover permitting. I felt throughout the week that I was off the beaten track as the area is so large and un-touristy that on most days you don’t come across many other walkers, with the exception of the Cares gorge which was busier, but not in an unpleasant way. I loved the whole week.

A wonderful, wonderful holiday. The scenery is stunning and the walks allowed us to explore a variety of locations within the national park. The hotel is in a great location for access to the peaks.

An excellent weeks walking in the Picos. The scenery is stunning, and the walks are long/hard enough to make you feel that you have done something, but by no means heroic. The hotel (HotelTorrecerrado) is a small family run hotel - you will get a warm friendly welcome from Jim and Pilar, and the food - particularly the dinners - is definitely 5 star ! If you are luccky, Jim will regale you with Amazing Tales in the bar after dinner !

What is it about a range of mountains that is so inspiring? Their nobility, their grandeur, their immutable timelessness? All this and more is to be found in los Picos de Europa.

An amazing trip assisted by the complete gelling of the group...everyone put in 100% from day 1 to make it a great success

An excellent holiday with a lovely group in beautiful surroundings, and a very friendly hotel.

This was a great holiday, made special by the great group leader and a lovely group of people.

A wonderful week's walking, with lovely Alvaro, our fantastic local guide. Fantastic scenery, beautiful birds and flowers, lovely weather, good food and really lovely company - what could be better?