4.5 out of 5 stars · 175 reviews on GetYourGuide · from €69 · as of 9 Oct
Three meeting points depending on the option; reviews mention departures in Oviedo, Gijón and Cangas de Onís. Check the meeting point for your option when booking.
Ad · partner links: we may earn a commission if you book – at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the atlas. Offer details checked 9 Oct 2026; dates and prices with the provider.
Hikes & routes: lakes, gorge, cable car and Bulnes
Covadonga Lakes
The circular trail PR-PNPE 2 runs from Buferrera past Ercina and Enol: 3 km (1.9 mi) in one hour on the short loop, 5 km (3.1 mi) in 2.5 hours on the long loop, with 50 m (164 ft) of climb.
According to the park authority, the most important terminal moraine in the Picos lies at the Lagos de Covadonga; the glaciers of the last ice age shaped today's relief.
Visiting Picos de Europa: three massifs, three regions
Second most visited park
After Teide, Picos de Europa is the most visited national park in Spain, according to the park authority. The crowds concentrate at Covadonga and the lakes and at Fuente Dé.
Best time to visit: spring to autumn, with fog in any season
The restricted season
The most popular weeks are exactly when the road to the Covadonga Lakes is closed to private cars: in 2026 from 1 June to 18 October without a break, plus Easter, weekends in May and long weekends.
Picos de Europa fees: bus, cable car and funicular
Bus to the lakes: €9
On restricted days the only way to the lakes is the bus from Cangas de Onís or the car parks along the road: €9 for adults, €3.50 for children aged 4 to 11, free under 3. Parking at the departure points costs €3 a day.
Surroundings · Sanctuary at the foot of the road to the lakes
Basílica de Covadonga
The closed section of the CO-4 up to the lakes starts here.
How to get there: via Cangas de Onís, Arenas de Cabrales or Potes
From Oviedo to Covadonga
According to the ministry, take the N-634 to Arriondas, the N-625 to Cangas de Onís and the AS-114 and AS-262 to Covadonga. From there the CO-4 climbs to the lakes.
Picos de Europa fees: bus, cable car and funicular
Bulnes funicular: €22.16
According to the regional government, the funicular from Poncebos to Bulnes costs €22.16 return and €17.61 one way; children aged 4 to 12 pay €6.71 or €4.32.
Picos de Europa fees: bus, cable car and funicular
Bus to Poncebos: €1.55
On the days of the bus plan, a bus runs from Arenas de Cabrales to Poncebos, the start of the Ruta del Cares: €1.55 per trip. To Tielve or Sotres €2.60.
How to get there: via Cangas de Onís, Arenas de Cabrales or Potes
To the Cares gorge
Take the AS-114 to Arenas de Cabrales, then the AS-264 to Poncebos. The Ovar car park, 1.2 km (0.7 mi) before Poncebos, has about 146 spaces; on the days of the bus plan a bus runs from Arenas.
Hikes & routes: lakes, gorge, cable car and Bulnes
Ruta del Cares
The park's best-known trail follows a water channel from 1916 through the gorge between Poncebos and Caín. Turismo Asturias gives 11 km (6.8 mi) each way and 22.1 km (13.7 mi) return.
According to the ministry, the Ruta del Cares can be walked over 21 km (13 mi) from Posada de Valdeón to Poncebos; for the way back you need a vehicle or a pick-up.
Visiting Picos de Europa: three massifs, three regions
A park with villages
According to the park authority it is practically the only national park in Spain with villages inside it: 20 villages with 1,157 inhabitants (2013 figures), among them Covadonga, Caín and Bulnes.
Hikes & routes: lakes, gorge, cable car and Bulnes
Funicular to Bulnes
According to the regional government, the funicular runs 2,227 m through the mountain and climbs 402 m (1,319 ft) in about eight minutes. It runs all year because Bulnes has no road.
Nature · Lower station of the cable car in Cantabria
Fuente Dé lower station
753 m (2,470 ft) of climb in under four minutes.
Four minutes from the lower station to 1,823 m (5,981 ft), right into the Central Massif.
Difference in height
753 m
Upper station
1,823 m
Ride time
just under 4 min
Return
€20 / €30
Own page
Fuente Dé
At the head of the Liébana valley the cable car hangs from a cliff: 753 metres (2,470 ft) of climb in just under four minutes, the Central Massif at the top.
Picos de Europa fees: bus, cable car and funicular
Fuente Dé cable car: €20 or €30
In 2026 the operator Cantur charges €20 return in low season and €30 in high season; one way €13 or €17. Children aged 4 to 12 pay €8 or €15, and up to age 3 the ride is free.
Mountains & rock · Upper station at 1,823 m (5,981 ft)
El Cable upper station
Start of the trails to Horcados Rojos and Áliva.
Own page
Fuente Dé
At the head of the Liébana valley the cable car hangs from a cliff: 753 metres (2,470 ft) of climb in just under four minutes, the Central Massif at the top.
Hikes & routes: lakes, gorge, cable car and Bulnes
Fuente Dé cable car
According to the operator, the cable car climbs 753 m (2,470 ft) and takes up to 20 people to 1,823 m (5,981 ft) in under four minutes. At the top, trails lead to Horcados Rojos and the Puertos de Áliva.
Hikes & routes: lakes, gorge, cable car and Bulnes
Horcados Rojos
From the cable car's upper station to the Horcados Rojos pass: according to the operator 11.4 km (7.1 mi) return, 772 m (2,533 ft) of climb, about 4.5 hours. Do not go in snow, ice or fog.
Nature · The Naranjo de Bulnes in the Central Massif
Picu Urriellu
A climbers' peak; walkers see it from the Vega de Urriellu.
Hikes & routes: lakes, gorge, cable car and Bulnes
To the Naranjo de Bulnes
From Sotres over the Collado de Pandébano to the Vega de Urriellu: 12 km (7.5 mi) and 1,070 m (3,510 ft) of climb, about 4 hours up. With snow and ice the Collado Vallejo pass becomes dangerous.
2,648 m (8,688 ft), the highest point of the Cantabrian Mountains.
Nature: limestone, karst and the brown bear
From 75 to 2,648 metres
According to the park authority the lowest point is 75 m (246 ft) on the Deva and the highest is Torre Cerredo at 2,648 m (8,688 ft) – also the highest mountain in the Cantabrian range.
At the head of the Liébana valley the cable car hangs from a cliff: 753 metres (2,470 ft) of climb in just under four minutes, the Central Massif at the top.
Where to stay · Mountain hotel in the Puertos de Áliva
Hotel Áliva
Turning point of the walk from El Cable, under two hours there and back.
Own page
Fuente Dé
At the head of the Liébana valley the cable car hangs from a cliff: 753 metres (2,470 ft) of climb in just under four minutes, the Central Massif at the top.
End of the Horcados Rojos route; the summit only for experienced mountaineers.
Own page
Fuente Dé
At the head of the Liébana valley the cable car hangs from a cliff: 753 metres (2,470 ft) of climb in just under four minutes, the Central Massif at the top.
Where to stay · Hotel of the state-run Paradores chain
Parador de Fuente Dé
Next to the valley station.
Own page
Fuente Dé
At the head of the Liébana valley the cable car hangs from a cliff: 753 metres (2,470 ft) of climb in just under four minutes, the Central Massif at the top.
At the head of the Liébana valley the cable car hangs from a cliff: 753 metres (2,470 ft) of climb in just under four minutes, the Central Massif at the top.
