Picos de Europa is a mountain range in northern Spain. The highest point is Torre de Cerredo at 2,648 meters. I’ve arranged to go hiking with my campervan friend Pamela.
Hike Potes
There are several good places to park your camper in Potes and from this picturesque mountain village you can choose from various hiking trails, ideal!
We chose a 16 km hiking route: Alcornocal de Tolibes – Potes. According to the Komoot app, the hike is strenuous and requires good physical condition. The first part is all uphill. It does get a bit tiring towards the end, but it’s actually going well. We finally climb to an altitude of 840 meters and enjoy breathtaking views along the way!
We walk past farms perched on a lonely hilltop – imagine living here! And also past old dilapidated farmhouses – those farmers have certainly left. The descent is easily manageable, and even easy with walking sticks. In Potes, we enjoy a drink and some tapas at one of the many terraces.
Santo Toribio de Liébana Monastery
The Camino Lebaniego is a pilgrimage from San Vincente de la Barquera on the northern coast of Spain to the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana in Potes. It is an important place of pilgrimage because a piece of the True Cross (Lignum Crucis) is kept in this church.
Would you like to know more about this pilgrimage? About four years ago, I completed the Camino Lebaniego!
Please click on this link and check out my blog.
https://www.marianaroundtheworld.com/en/europe/camino-lebaniego-in-picos-de-europe/
We walk to the Santo Toribio monastery at the top of the hill, and here too, we have phenomenal views. Check out this video.
Mirador de Santa Catalina
The 21-km-long El Desfiladero de La Hermida gorge is spectacular! I turn off to the Mirador de Santa Catalina viewpoint, and the road is long and narrow. Parking the campervan is easy, and you can even stay overnight for €5, perfect.
First, the “Mistilogica” hike uphill, with all sorts of trolls, witches, and elves on our way. And then… a truly magnificent viewpoint. Peaceful, with many peaks, a stunning view, and a perfect spot for taking photos. I love it!
En route, hamlet Caldas
We continue our journey through the El Desfiladero de La Hermida gorge.
Passing the small hamlet of Caldas in the municipality of Peñarrubia, with its typical traditional houses.
Las Arenas de Cabrales
The route to Las Arenas de Cabrales is beautiful. We take a nice walk to the village of Poo. It’s autumn and the dogs are playing in the leaves. It’s also very windy, branches are falling!
The wind dies down and the sun shines again, a lovely 24 degrees Celsius. We finish the day with a meal in the village, it was an amazing day!
Covadonga Basilica
The small village of Covadonga is flooded with thousands of tourists and pilgrims every year. It was in Covadonga that Pelayo defeated the Moors. This marked the official beginning of the Spanish Reconquista. At the spot where Pelayo defeated the Moors, the Virgin Mary appeared to him, this place is now a place of pilgrimage.
A large basilica has been built and also a small chapel in the cave. It gets incredibly busy here in the summer, but now in October the crowds are manageable and you can visit both religious sites without a long wait.
We’re having a great time and travel further through Picos de Europa to Cangas de Onís with its old Roman bridge. Please follow our travels!
