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Picos de Europa is a wild range of mountains in the norht of Spain. The stone peaks are made of limestone and there are numerous large caves located throughout these mountains. We have planned an awesome itinerary to explore some of the best parts this range has to offer. Starting off with a short day on the beach enjoying some great spanish food and drink, we will be heading deep into the mountains surrounded by rocky peaks.
The trip starts and finishes in Madrid.
The trip starts and finishes in Madrid.
Schedule
Everyone is requested to arrive in Madrid on Saturday June 29th and we will all meet up in the evening in Madrid.
There are a number of flights departing on Friday evening and Saturday that arrive between Saturday morning and Saturday night, so please select your flights accordingly. If you arrive early on Saturday there will be time to explore Madrid, try some amazing food, and visit some museums and cathedrals.
*Saturday lodging is not included in Madrid - Meetup will be near the central train station Atocha.
Everyone is requested to arrive in Madrid on Saturday June 29th and we will all meet up in the evening in Madrid.
There are a number of flights departing on Friday evening and Saturday that arrive between Saturday morning and Saturday night, so please select your flights accordingly. If you arrive early on Saturday there will be time to explore Madrid, try some amazing food, and visit some museums and cathedrals.
*Saturday lodging is not included in Madrid - Meetup will be near the central train station Atocha.
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June 30 (Sun) - Comillas Beach Town
Lodging: Abba Commillas Hotel 7:00 a.m. - We will arrange meet up in central Madrid and begin the 4 hour drive to Commilas a beach town on the northern coast of Spain. This town features amazing architecture from the 15th century as well as a building designed Gaudi in the late 1800's. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the beach, sites, as well as great food and nightlife of this town. *No meals included |
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July 1 (Mon) - Cares Gorge Trail - Ruta del Cares
Distance: 22km - Elevation Gained: 600m Elevation Lost: 600m Lodging: Hostal Poncebos Known as the Divine Gorge, the Ruta del Cares is considered to be one of the most beautiful walks in Spain. It goes through the gorge that connects the east and west ranges of Picos de Europa. The trail is carved into the cliff side above the river in many places. This hike is an out and back hike taking 6 to 7 hours total. We will have a relaxed lunch at Cain de Valdeon before making the trip back to Poncebos where we will spend the night before starting our mountain trek. *Breakfast included Hiking Level: 1C - Route Map |
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July 2 (Tue) - Poncebos to Bulnes via Funicular and then hike to Refugio Jou de los Cabrones - Distance: 8km - Elevation Gained: 1400m
Lodging: Refugio Jou de los Cabrones This is going to be a challenging but awesome day. We will save ourselves 400 meters of climbing by taking the funicular to Bulnes a very remote mountain village at the base of the Picos mountains. From there we begin the ascent to our mountain hut. The hike starts out in the forest and then alpine meadows giving way to an open rocky landscape surrounded by sharp high peaks. The hut is said to be the most remote hut in spain. *Breakfast and Dinner *Hiking Level: 2D - Route Map |
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July 3 (Wed) - Refugio Cabrones - Torre Cerredo -Cabana Veronica - Hotel Aliva
Distance: 12km - Elevation gained 1300m Elevation Lost 1400m Lodging: Hotel Aliva This is a big day with ups and downs. We will start by heading up the valley to a pass called Collado Horcados Rojos at 2,344 meters. From there we will then drop off our bags and do a scramble climb up to the top of Pico Tesorero at 2,570 meters. From there we will drop down to Cabana Veronica, a small metal shelter that can house up to 6 people. From there it is a 2 hour hike down to our lodge for the night. This is a former mountain hut that was converted to a mountain top hotel. *Breakfast and Dinner Included *Hiking Level: 2C - Route Map |
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July 4 (Thu) Hotel Aliva- Torre del Oso Peak- Refugio de Urriellu
Distance: 10km - Elevation gained 1300m Elevation lost: 900 Lodging: Refugio de Urriellu On our 4th trekking day after breakfast we have an amazing walk planned that starts off gentle, then we regain the elevation lost on our previous day heading back into the valley of the peaks. The plan is to have lunch on top of Torre del Oso Peak on the way which has an awesome view of the southern side of the most prominent peak in the range Picu Urriellu. After lunch we descend into the valley to a very well appointed hut right next to Picu Urriellu. The sunset is amazing here as well as the star watching. *Breakfast and Dinner Included *Hiking Level: 2C - Route Map |
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July 5 (Fri) Refugio de Urriellu - Bulnes
Distance: 6km - Elevation lost: 1400 Lodging: 2060 Newton Hostel On our final day after breakfast we will set off north heading downhill back to our starting point in Bulnes. This walk will go by some alpine ponds and pasture land as we descend back to the mountain village. Then we take the funicular to save our knees down to Poncebos. After having lunch we will begin the drive back to Madrid aiming to get into the city around 5 p.m. *Breakfast included *Hiking Level: 1C - Route Map |
July 6 (Sat)
You'll have the morning available to explore Madrid. Depending on flight schedules there may be a possibility of a ride to the airport before we return rental cars.
*No meals included
July 7 (Sun)
Depending on your flight schedule you will arrive at either Narita or Haneda in the afternoon to early evening.
You'll have the morning available to explore Madrid. Depending on flight schedules there may be a possibility of a ride to the airport before we return rental cars.
*No meals included
July 7 (Sun)
Depending on your flight schedule you will arrive at either Narita or Haneda in the afternoon to early evening.
*You are also welcome to arrive on an earlier day or depart at a later day if you wish to explore more in the area before coming back to Japan.
Payment Details
50% of the trip fee is due within 1 week of booking, and the remainder will be due 1 month before the trip.
Showers: There will be showers available on June 30, July 1, and July 3rd. July 2nd and 4th huts have no shower facilities.
Cancellation Policy:
Any cancellations less than 30 days before the departure date will be subject to a 100% cancellation fee. 31 to 60 days before the departure date will be subject to a 50% cancellation fee.
Payment Details
50% of the trip fee is due within 1 week of booking, and the remainder will be due 1 month before the trip.
Showers: There will be showers available on June 30, July 1, and July 3rd. July 2nd and 4th huts have no shower facilities.
Cancellation Policy:
Any cancellations less than 30 days before the departure date will be subject to a 100% cancellation fee. 31 to 60 days before the departure date will be subject to a 50% cancellation fee.
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This trip includes
-Experienced and Certified Trip Leader -Harness and Helmet Rental -Local Transportation -All hotels and mountain huts -Breakfast x 5 -Dinner x 3 Participation Fee: 102,500yen + tax *airfare is not included If you do not enroll in a European Alpine club membership before the trip, there will be an additional 10 Euro charge you will need to pay for two nights in the mountain huts. |
・Required Equipment: Trekking boots, rain jacket and pants, warm layers, 35L backpack, headlight, 4L water, helmet, and money to purchase food on the trail.
*European Alpine Club Membership is required to participate - The best deal is through the Austrian Alpine club UK Branch, which gives you one year of rescue insurance for around 7,000 yen. |