Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Every one of the five summits was an achievement, so it was a week of inspirational moments, and the best moment was our final summit, the Pica del Mancondiu at 2000 metres. But there were many other wonderful moments: Drinking a freshly-brewed cup of coffee at the refuge halfway up Mancondiu - higher than Ben Nevis! The steep walk through the beech forest on the way to Thursday's peak, the Cabeza La Mesa - the fresh green leaves were almost magical.Almost everything about the walk through the Cares Gorge - the spectacular limestone mountains looming above the rushing river far below and the canal running in and out of the rock beside the path.  And, of course, the moment on the rest day when I got on a bike and hurtled downhill for many kilometres into Llanes! A great idea by our lovely host, Jim, at the Torrecerredo hotel - we put the bikes in the back of the van for the first bit of the journey, thus avoiding a long uphill ride.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro was a superb group leader. He had fantastic local knowledge and a truly caring approach: he was always thoughtful of our different capabilities and stayed flexible the whole time to find us the best routes and footpaths. He was a positive guiding light the whole week, combining excellent idiomatic English ("let's get the show on the road") and a great sense of humour with a wealth of expert knowledge about the local area, its history and geography, its flowers, trees and birds, its people and customs and the ways in which it is changing. He took great pains to ensure that we could live, as a group, entirely in the present, savouring every moment on the mountains.  I missed him when I got home!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go to this relatively little-known part of Spain. You will have a fabulous time.  Don't forget to take a shirt with a collar - the sun can be fierce up on the mountains.

Most Inspirational Moment

The best moment was standing on the summit of Mancondiu at 2000 metres. The last two hundred feet or so were fun as they were a bit of a scramble, and the views from the top were magnicificent The walk up the The Cares Gorge  was a delight - the mountains around the long limestone gorge are breathtaking, and the fast running Cares River far below and the clear water in the canal at the level of the path provide a  spectacular contrast to the mountains. I went canoeing on the day off. The river is just right for novice canoeists, being easy enough to be safe but providing enough excitement to be interesting, and the day made a good contrast to walking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Alberro. He is a local young man who has an seemingly inexhaustible knowledge of the local ecology, flora and fauna and he cares passionatley about the local environment. He was always willing to share this knowledge and enthusiam with us. He knows all the footpaths like the back of his hand and so I always felt that we were doing the best possible option on the day, bearing in mind the weather and any other variables. He was always friendly helpful and good humoured and was a joy to be with for the week.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go there!

Most Inspirational Moment

It's difficult to say one inspirational moment.  I think it was all of the walks, each dealing with varied terrain - but, always led by Alvaro, a guide that couldn't be better.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb!  Alvaro really loves the Picos de Europa; he knows a lot about the area and was always happy to share his excellent knowledge of local flora and fauna.  Also, he had a very good sense of humour so there were a lot of laughs!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Going in late March can result in inclement weather.  It was forecast to be wet all week, on and off.  However, we did have 4 excellent, mainly dry (and quite warm) walking days.  Our 'day off' in Llanes was very wet - and our last walking day - lots of snow!  Potential travellers should be aware that walks are not always as advertised; they have to change due to weather, particularly early or late in the season.  The optional activities for the day off may change, too, according to the weather - for example, our only (and preferred) option was a day trip to Llanes on the coast.  If you are likely to get travel sick, avoid the back row of the minibus - the winding mountain roads are likely to bring on nausea if you are susceptible.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight of the week had to be walking the Cares Gorge with its ever-changing views of cliffs and peaks. It contrasted nicely with the mountain walks up Pena Main and Manciondiu which both offered great views across the rest of the Picos and down to the coast.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pilar was excellent, knowing the area and its nature well and with good English (our group Spanish being limited). She looked after us well keeping an eye on both front and back markers and her close connection with the hotel made for a very pleasant stay.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like mountain walking this is an area you should visit. The scenery and walking are spectacular and different and it is not too busy.

Most Inspirational Moment

Undoubtedly, the walk through the Cares Gorge.  24 Km with 300 m of ascent but worth every footstep.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro was a superb leader.  He knew every footpath - and they are not all easy to find in the Picos - he was knowledgeable about the mountains and about the history and culture of his native Asturias, about where to go for refreshments, and he spoke good English. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like walking in mountains, go!  The Picos are "Spain's Dolomites" but far less visited by tourists.  Best to learn a bit of Spanish, as few people speak English in this area.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational was reaching the Col before Pandescura - there is an amazing view up to the Eastern Massif and still snow on the peaks in July! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good and attentive to weather and safetyHe had to change our walks due to weather but this meant that we got the best views

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is challenging with a total of almost 80Km in the 6 walking days

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk upto covadonga lakes was probably the best of the walks we did - varied and spectacular scenery before the final push.again well worth the effort

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both the guides were on form and put in a lot of effort to keep things going

Advice for Potential Travellers

Challenging means just that.  Please check before you do this and be ready for the extra effort

Thoughts on Group Leader

As well as being a very welcoming host at the hotel, Pilar was a wonderful, experinced leader with extensive knowedge of the local area and a great sense of fun.  She coped spledidly with everything we threw at her, including having to organise a helicopter mountain rescue!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Flower lovers should go at the end of May, as we did, for an abundance of colourful wildflowers. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery cannot be rivalled! There were plenty of 'wow' moments where the camera just wouldn't do it justice! The location of the hotel is great - breakfast is with a view!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro was lovely. He became one of the group, he was relaxed and friendly. His knowledge of the area was fantastic and he shared lots of information on each walk. Alvaro allowed us to walk at our own pace and he moved within the group to spend time with everyone.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In April, be prepared for all weathers, a little like walking in the UK at this time. Obviously it is a mountainous region so the weather can change quickly. The sun was hot at this time of year.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the picos in their winter garb glistening in the sunshine.   Spotting a chamois on the final day.   The eagles, vultures and kites soaring overhead.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pilar lead us for the week and was great - she is clearly devoted to the area and loves it greatly and this came across.   She was great company and offered lots of local information.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As usual I found my walking poles very helpful.   The food in the hotel is great for vegetarians.   The packed lunches substantial to say the least!    Worth checking with exodus about group size - we had only four but this did work very well and I had a relaxing week.