Picos Mixed Activity Week

from $1,705.00

An active week immersed in the pristine nature of Spain’s first national park

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Vacation Style Holiday Type
- Canoeing
- Cultural
Guided
Activity Level Moderate
5/8
Group Size Small Group
4 - 16

All about the Picos Mixed Activity Week.

Spain’s first national park offers some of the finest, most dramatic mountain scenery in the country. With lush valleys, wide rivers, deep rocky gorges, huge cave systems and cliffs that have long been a mecca for climbers, the Picos de Europa provides the perfect location for a mixed activity week. Based in a small family-run hotel at the foot of the high Picos, we try a new, adrenaline-powered activity every day. Previous experience is not required as full instruction will be given, but those who have experience will also be catered for.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance

What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

* All breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners
* All accommodation
* Transfers for group flights

What is not included in this tour?

Highlights

Canyoning in the Rubo Gorge
Canoe on the spectacular Sella River
Trek through the famous Cares Gorge
Cycle on the coastal paths of the old Camino de Santiago
Stay at the foot of the Picos de Europa mountains

7 nights at the family-run Hotel Torrecerredo
5 days of mixed activities and 1 free day
Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader. Min age 16yrs
No previous experience necessary but must be able to swim

Day 1 Start Arena de Cabrales

The trip starts in Arenas de Cabrales this afternoon. Those on the group flights will be met at Bilbao Airport and transferred to our hotel, which has views up to the highest peak in the national park.**
Day 2 Day of canyoning in the Rubo Gorge with optional water slides, jumps and abseils.

A short drive and a short walk bring us to the start of the Rubo Gorge, where our fun day of canyoning begins. Over the course of our 3 hour descent there are 6 abseils (12m max), 6 optional jumps into deep pools, and 2 water slides. We enjoy a picnic lunch in a beautiful natural setting before making our way back to the hotel in the afernoon.
Day 3 Classic Cares Gorge walk, one of the most popular walks in Spain.

The classic Cares Gorge has been described as the jewel in the crown of Spanish hiking. For 12 km the engineered path has been blasted into the rock face. Originally built in the 1940s as part of a hydroelectric scheme, it is now one of the most popular walks in Spain. In places the surrounding peaks rise over two thousands metres above the path and if we’re lucky, we may catch a glimpse of the rare and beautiful wall creeper. The path eventually emerges in the village of Cain, where we have lunch before our return along the same route to Puente Poncebos. Transport will be waiting here to take us to back to our hotel in Arenas de Cabrales.
Day 4 Canoeing along the famous River Sella, renowned for its annual canoe competitions.

We drive 45 minutes to Arriondas for a 4 hours’ downstream canoeing trip on the River Sella. The river is one of the most popular destinations for this type of activity and it has been hosting a major canoeing festival since 1930. Every year, on the first Saturday of August, canoeists from all over the world come to Asturias to take part in the Sella River race. It is full of music and colour, and has become one of the most important dates on the international canoeing calendar. Our day won’t be as challenging but it will be packed with fun. Using open-decked two-person canoes we cover about 15 kms with some easy class 1 rapids en route.
Day 5 Free day to relax at the hotel, take a trip to the coast or choose from optional activities including climbing and caving.

Choose amongst several other optional activities such as climbing and caving, or take a day to relax and sightsee in the beautiful coastal towns of Asturias.**
Day 6 Spectacular ride on Fuente Dé cable car; afternoon walk and visit to the mediaeval village of Potes.

Undoubtedly one of the most spectacular trips you can take in a cable car, the Teleferico of Fuente Dé allows quick access to the heart of the Picos de Europa where you can enjoy breath-taking views of the surrounding peaks and the valley far below. In just 5 minutes you will climb 753 meters on a 1450m long cable. After lunch we make our way back descending the whole route on foot while enjoying some spectacular scenery. In the afternoon we have time for a quick visit to Potes, considered one of the most attractive villages in the region of Cantabria.
Day 7 Mountain biking along the coastal paths of the old Camino de Santiago; free time at the beach (seasonal).

Today we take to two wheels and enjoy a bike ride that takes us from the village of Llanes to the beautiful coastal town of Ribadesella. The route is paved road as well as off-road tracks and follows the ancient routes of the old Camino de Santiago through the wild northern coast of Spain. The ride will end on a lovely beach and here we conclude our week with a well-deserved dip in the fresh blue sea (seasonal!).
Day 8 End Arena de Cabrales.

The trip ends in Arenas de Cabrales this morning.

Where you stay

Hotel Torrecerredo

Our base for the week is the lovely Hotel Torrecerredo, a small family-run hotel in Arenas de Cabrales, It has a pleasant garden terrace attached to the café bar and the panoramic restaurant gives views right up to the mountains peaks. All rooms have en-suite facilities along with TV and Wi-Fi. The hotel is situated in a rural setting, five minutes’ walk from the centre of the village, which is well serviced with banks, cafes and shops. The hotel’s restaurant serves delicious meals all cooked with locally sourced ingredients.

Single supplements are available (on request).

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners are included.

The region has several delicious specialities for you to try while you are staying here. The area is famous for its gold-medal-winning blue cheese, Queso Cabrales, which is matured in some of the thousands of deep limestone caves that dot the hills. Lesser known, but equally appealing is the local lamb Cordero al la Menta and a wholesome bean stew, Fabada Asturiana. Fresh fish comes from the coast at Llanes and Ribadesella, half an hour’s drive away. The local wine is very drinkable, though a glass of local cider can be more refreshing.

Breakfast: Fruit juice, tea, freshly ground coffee, cereals, bread, cold meats, cheeses and a selection of local fruit (depending on season) offered buffet-style. There are also eggs cooked to order, sponge and Anis cake.

Lunch: Generally includes a large bread roll, with a choice of fillings daily, chocolates and fresh fruit.

Dinner: Homemade three-course meal usually consists of soup or salad for the first course, a choice of 3 main courses, with meat, fish, or vegetarian, followed by a homemade dessert.

Wine: To accompany the evening meal, the hotel has a reasonably comprehensive wine list available.

Over the years, the hotel has developed tasty vegetarian alternatives. Please let us know in advance if you are vegetarian or have any other special dietary requirements.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is a Mixed Activity trip and Activity Level: 3 (Moderate).

This is an exciting and adventurous holiday designed to put a smile on your face as well as have your pulse racing. There is the chance to go canoeing and canyoning, in addition to mountain biking and walking. As with all of our mixed activity trips, no experience is required to sign up for this holiday and those that have experience will still be entertained as there are a wide range of levels and grades to suit all. To enjoy this trip to the full, a decent level of fitness and agility is required. Please note that each activity leader is fully qualified to instruct in their field and reserves the right to refuse participation of any client on any activities if they feel this will compromise the safety and enjoyment of the group.

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