Towering above Spain’s northern coast, Picos de Europa National Park is eternally popular with climbers, hikers and nature lovers. Over the centuries, the limestone mountains have been carved into jagged alpine karsts, which make for a dramatic skyline.

The 2,650-metre-high Torre de Cerredo is the park’s tallest peak and is reserved for only the most experienced mountaineers. There are plenty of well-signposted alternatives for beginners, with easy-to-navigate inclines and stunning vistas. The Cares Route is one of the park’s most popular trails, taking you through narrow gorges, lush gullies and rocky mountainsides.

If you’re not keen on working up a sweat, the hair-raising Teleférico de Fuente Dé cable car will whisk you to the top of the park’s central massif in minutes. The viewing point is over 1,800 metres high, which means you’ll have access to some of the most stunning panoramic views in the park.

Getting there

Picos de Europa sits around 200 kilometres west of Bilbao and is part of Spain’s mighty Cantabrian Mountains. Most travellers base themselves in one of four main access towns, including Picos are Cangas de Onís, Arenas de Cabrales, Potes or Posada de Valdeón. Each town offers easy road connections, with local buses running to Picos de Europa during the busy summer months.