Picos de Europa
Rugged limestone peaks, deep gorges and a cable car that takes you into the high mountains in minutes.
Only about an hour’s drive from the coast, the Picos de Europa rise steeply into the sky. The range stretches across Cantabria, Asturias and Castile and León and is one of the oldest national parks in Spain.
Where the name comes from
A popular explanation: for sailors returning from the Americas, the peaks were the first piece of Europe to appear on the horizon.
Fuente Dé
The best-known starting point on the Cantabrian side is Fuente Dé at the end of the Liébana valley. From there a cable car takes you up to around 1,800 metres in just a few minutes. At the top, hiking trails lead through an almost lunar limestone landscape – very manageable even for less experienced hikers.
Potes and the Liébana valley
On the way to Fuente Dé it is worth stopping in Potes, a pretty town with stone bridges and a medieval tower. Nearby is the monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana, an important pilgrimage site.
Practical tips
- The weather changes quickly. Even in summer, pack a warm jacket and rain gear.
- The cable car is in high demand in peak season – early in the morning it is much more relaxed.
- Allow plenty of time for the drive through the Hermida gorge: the road is winding but spectacular.