Spain 8 Day Northern Way & Picos de Europa
Durartion: 8 Days
Price: From €775 (excluding flights)
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NORTHERN WAY AND PICOS DE EUROPA
“From the Sea to the Mountains”
This week of walking in northern Spain takes you over a section of the Northern Way prior to leading on to a couple of extra special paths around the famous Covadonga Lakes and Cares Gorge in Picos de Europa National Park.
Starting in Santillana del Mar sets the scene for coastal Cantabria with seaside towns like San Vicente de la Barquera providing a quintessential glimpse at life away from the busier beaches on the south coast of Spain. As you continue to follow your self-guided walking notes you’ll cross regional borders into eastern Asturias as the town of Llanes provides insight into the region’s medieval past as well as an opportunity to raise a cool glass of sidra or taste the rich varieties of Arenas de Cabrales cheese.
Although Picos de Europa National Park promises natural drama the actual walking route is fairly straightforward with only slightly steeper gradients at the start of the walk on Cares Gorge. The walk around Covadonga, on the other hand, is relatively flat throughout and offers abundant places to pause as you take in the stunning mountain scenery and gorgeous reflective waters.
From wide eyed beginners to gnarly pros with poles this week of tailor made walking provides ample excuses to soak up the coastal, forest and mountain scenery of northern Spain as you become enveloped in a world of peace and tranquillity with hardly another soul in sight. Further benefits of this week of walking include: luggage transfers between hand-chosen hotels as well as return taxi transfers to Covadonga Lakes and Cares Gorge. Full and complete walking route notes are also included as is 24hr emergency contact details.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrival day to Santillana Del Mar
Day 2 – Santillana del Mar to Comillas (24.5km)
Day 3 – Comillas to San Vicente de la Barquera (12km)
Day 4 – Colombres to Llanes (24km)
Day 5 – Llanes to Nueva (19km)
Day 6 – Covadonga Sanctuary & Covadonga Lakes hike (5km)
Day 7 – Cares Gorge Walk (24km)
Day 8 – Departure day from Arenas de Cabrales
Total Distance: 108km
PRICE
Mid Season
April, May, June and October
Price €775 per person, based on two people sharing
Single Room Supplement of €280
High Season
Easter, July, August and September
Price €895 per person, based on two people sharing
Single Room Supplement of €350
CUSTOMISE YOUR TRIP
- Add airport transfers
- Add free day at the end of the trip
If you choose not to include airport transfers, we will provide detailed advice how to get from and back to the airport.
CALENDAR
Self guided, tailor made trips are available from April to mid October. Choose a start date that suits you/your group. You can secure your booking with a 20% deposit.
CONTACT US
For further information about this package, contact us on 01 – 442 8921 or email us at info@magichillholidays.com
At a glance:
- 7 nights in 2 or 3 star Hotels/Rural Houses
- 7 Breakfasts
- Pilgrim’s Passport
- Camino Information Pack and Walking Notes
- 24 hour phone assistance
- Transfer in case of emergencies
- Day 4 – Taxi transfer from San Vicente to Colombres
- Day 5 – Taxi transfer from Nueva to Llanes
- Day 6 – Taxi transfer from Llanes to Covadonga Lakes & Las Arenas
- Day 7 – Taxi transfer from Las Arenas to Cares Gorge (return)
"We did the Northern Way + Picos trip with Magic Hill and it was a truly amazing experience. We walked for 6 days through rural pueblecitos and fishing villages, lush green farmland and forests, coastal paths and beautiful beaches, hills, lakes and gorges. Bronagh and the team organised everything so well, it was so easy. The accommodation surpassed our expectations and all of the transfers worked like clockwork. I’ll be recommending it to anyone who’ll listen!"
"We had the best Camino experience with Magic Hills on their 8 Day Northern Way and Picos holiday. Every day was different with beautiful countryside, interesting architecture, long sandy beaches and reasonably priced cafes. Our hotels were comfortable and clean. The breakfast was cooked to order with plenty of choice. Luggage transfer and taxis were excellent and on time. We chose to upgrade two hotels and both were a real treat, we felt Magic Hills booked their best rooms for us. We spent two days in the Picos hiking in a vastly different landscape to the Camino route. Thank you Bronagh and Magic Hills your itinerary, guidance and knowledge ensured we had the best possible experiences."
"We spent 6 days walking the Northern Way path of the Santiago de Compostela, arranged by Bronagh and her associates of Magic Hill. We have traveled to Spain on numerous occasions and this particular trip will always be among our favorites. This was our first time in the northern Spain region of Cantabria and Asturias. It is as beautiful as any other region of the country we have explored with the added experience of walking a portion of the Northern Way. From the beauty of the ever-changing landscape and shoreline of the Bay of Biscay, to the small towns and villages, to meeting many others on the Way who were true Pilgrims making their way to Santiago, our trek was unforgettable. Our time concluded with a few days exploring the trails in the Picos de Europa, including a walk along a portion of the Cares Gorge. We are grateful to Magic Hill for arranging and coordinating this portion of our time in Spain. Bronagh and the team offered up a thorough, detailed itinerary, along with very useful interactive trail maps via OutdoorActive. In addition, Magic Hill checked in with us every day via text or voice contact giving us the assurance they were readily available to us with any questions or concerns. We hope that we may enlist their excellent services and counsel in the future."
"What a magnificent hike, the mountains and gorge looked stunning in the sun. Thank you so much for organising everything for us, we had a wonderful time. Maggi,"
Quote of the day:
“Don't call it a dream, call it a Plan.”
Zelana Montminy