Ruta del Cares: the trail through the gorge
Between the Western and Central Massifs, from Poncebos in Asturias to Caín in León.
According to the ministry, the Ruta del Cares is the best-known trail in Picos de Europa National Park. It follows the Cares river through the gorge between the Western and Central Massifs, from Poncebos in Asturias to Caín in León. The path was built with the water channel that has supplied the Camarmeña power station since 1916, and in many places it is cut into the rock.
If you do not want to walk there and back, you need a car or a pick-up at the other end: there is no road through the gorge between Poncebos and Caín. The ministry also describes the long version from Posada de Valdeón, 21 km (13 mi).
It is a mountain path with loose stones. On Friday, 31 July 2026, two hikers were seriously injured by falling rock, according to the press; the park authority closed the route and reopened it on 2 August 2026, warning that rockfall remains possible at any time in this karst massif.
Principado de Asturias (Turismo Asturias): Ruta del Cares (11 km each way, 22.1 km return) ↗
In numbers
- Each way
- 11 km
- Return
- 22.1 km
- Ascent and descent
- 831 m
- From Posada de Valdeón
- 21 km
- Channel since
- 1916
- Bus Arenas–Poncebos
- €1.55
- Ovar car park
- 146 spaces
- Drinking water on the trail
- none
