Me on Day 2, coming down from the high ground past Urriellu.

Europe · Spain

Picos de Europa

Northern Spain

Distance: 94.6 mi152.2 km
Days: 7 days
Elevation gain: 31,621 ft9,638 m
High point: 7,457 ft2,273 m
Season: Summer and early autumn
Lodging: Huts and tent

Hikes / Europe / Picos de Europa

In early October 2019 I hiked alone for seven days through the Picos de Europa National Park in northern Spain: about 90 miles through limestone peaks, deep river gorges, quiet mountain villages and high pastures. I didn't know much about the area before I showed up. A friend planned the trip and convinced me to come, then got hurt on the first morning, so I did it by myself. It was a very difficult trail, but I loved it. In 2020 I called it my favorite hike to that day, and the film is the one I go back and watch by myself.
Kraig Adams

Effort at this pace: Very hard · about 14 mi (22 km) and 4,517 ft (1,377 m) of climbing a day over 7 days, up to 7,457 ft (2,273 m). Our grade for the days given, worked out from distance, climbing and altitude a day; it isn't the trail's usual difficulty rating (under Basics) and doesn't rate exposure, terrain or weather.

Where these numbers come from

From Kraig Adams's GPS recording and guide.

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Plan: dates, gear, deadlines and stays in a private link. Save: keeps it on your account.

From Kraig Adams's GPS

The route, day by day

Relief map of the Picos de Europa route: 7 days drawn in red with numbered day starts, labelled Fuente Dé, Torre de las Minas de Carbón, Refugio de Vegabaño, Sotres and Pico Conjurtao.

Elevation814–7,421 ft94.6 mi

From Kraig Adams's GPS. Terrain: Mapzen Terrain Tiles (EU-DEM, SRTM) on AWS · Glaciers, rivers & lakes © OpenStreetMap contributors

Tap a day for his map of it

Download GPX2.6 MB · free

Each day and variant (7 files)

The film

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Hiking 90 miles Alone in Spain

Kraig Adams · Oct 2–8, 2019 · Solo

The meadows below Áliva on the morning of Day 1, looking down the Duje valley.

The gorge below Bulnes in the morning mist, on the way down to Poncebos, Day 3.

Late afternoon over the valleys, on the way down toward Vegabaño, Day 5.

Me below the Refugio Collado Jermoso on the evening before Day 7.

Before you go

The basics

Start: The top station of the Fuente Dé cable car, Cantabria
Finish: The top station of the Fuente Dé cable car, Cantabria
Direction: Loop from The top station of the Fuente Dé cable car, Cantabria
Usual difficulty: In my words: a very difficult trail, even though you pass three towns and plenty of refuges
Best time: Summer and early autumn. I went in early October, at the end of the season
Permits: No permit; I didn't book anything in October, but book the refuges ahead in summer (most use reservarefugios.com). Free camping isn't allowed in the park: a bivouac only above 1,800 m, without a tent except in bad weather, dusk to dawn (2026 rules)
Getting there: I flew into Madrid. My friend rented a car, picked me up at the airport and drove us all the way up. It's a pretty quick drive. I remember at one point being able to see the peaks, and it was really exciting because they were much higher than I expected. We arrived pretty late and ate in Potes or on the way. Spain's timing for lunch and dinner takes some getting used to, so do your own research. We camped at Camping El Redondo, right by the cable car at Fuente Dé. It was cheap and a fantastic choice, because the trail starts right there.
Nearest airport: Asturias or Santander are closest. I flew into Madrid
Lodging: Huts and tent

From Kraig Adams's guide

Costs and gear

What it cost

See his costs

His costs, line by line

What Kraig carried

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 2400 · REI Passage 1 · Nemo quilt · a washable liner, an inflatable mat and a pillow · a sun hoodie, a white cap, REI zip-off hiking pants and a long-sleeve wool layer · Uniqlo light rain jacket · a hat, scarf and gloves · two pairs of thin wool socks and 20 more.

The full gear list

From Kraig Adams's guide

Safety

Rescue numbers

Call 112.

Phone signal

Often not.
The park says coverage is limited and that 112 calls get through more reliably than normal calls.

Insurance

Get travel insurance that covers mountain rescue.

Bail-out points

Day 1, Fuente Dé to Sotres. Before the Duje valley, go back up to the cable car. In the valley, follow the track north to Sotres: it's the easy way and saves the whole climb. After the Collado de Valdominguero, keep going down to Sotres.
Day 2, Sotres to Cantu Collugos. Before Urriellu, go back down to Pandébano and Sotres. From Urriellu, the busy path down to Pandébano is the way out. After the Horcada Arenera, keep going: the way down to Bulnes is the nearest village.
Day 3, Cantu Collugos to Caín. Bulnes has the funicular down to Poncebos. Poncebos has a road down to Arenas de Cabrales, with a shuttle bus in summer (June 1 to October 12 in 2026). In the gorge, go on to Caín or back to Poncebos. Caín has beds, and a road up the Valdeón valley to Posada de Valdeón.
Day 4, Caín to Pico Conjurtao. Before the Collado Las Cruces, go back down to Caín. From Vega de Ario, a well-used path runs west to the Lagos de Covadonga. The lakes road is closed to private cars on busy dates (in 2026: Easter, May weekends, every day from June 1 to October 18, and a few late-autumn holidays). On those dates a bus runs between the lakes and Cangas de Onís (2026: EUR 9 return, buslagoscovadonga.es).
Day 5, Pico Conjurtao to Refugio de Vegabaño. From Vegarredonda, a well-used path goes down to the Lagos de Covadonga. After the Collada del Frade, keep going to Vegabaño: from there it's about 50 minutes' easy walk down to the village of Soto de Sajambre.
Day 6, Refugio de Vegabaño to Collado Jermoso. Posada de Valdeón has beds, food, taxis and a road out. In 2026 the ALSA bus from León and Riaño to Caín and Posada de Valdeón ran on weekends and holidays only, until August 24; outside that, use a taxi. On the climb, go back down to Cordiñanes.
Day 7, Collado Jermoso to Fuente Dé. There's no easy way off in the middle. Turn back to the refuge if the weather turns bad early on.

From Kraig Adams's guide. For planning, not navigation: check before you go.

Their films and versions

Creators who've done it

1 creator so far: Kraig, 7 days, huts and tent.

Hiking 90 miles Alone in Spain

Kraig AdamsOct 2–8, 2019 · Solo

Days: 7 days
Direction: Loop from The top station of the Fuente Dé cable car, Cantabria
Cost: See his costs
Lodging: Huts and tent

Kraig's version Plan it Kraig's way

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Typical: 7 days (the hike's facts).

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How many days do you need for Picos de Europa?

I did the loop in seven long days in October 2019, hiking from morning until dark, about 90 miles. The refuge version, with a bed every night and shorter stages, takes nine days.