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Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Kraig Adams video

Trip Report – Picos de Europa Circuit – by site editor Rick McCharles

Here I am, elated to have tented rather than staying under roof at the Collado Jermoso refugio.

It’s a long, slow, pretty 1200m (3937ft) descent. Check out the wall looking back up from the valley.

My 4km return detour along the river to the town of Posada de Valdeon was well worth the time.

I resupplied at the bakery and two grocery stores.

I took time, too, to visit the Mirador del Tombo.

more interesting photos of this monument

Ascending back into the trees, I was shocked to see the leaves changing. This was the first time it had dawned on me that my summer of hiking Europe was ending. This was to be my last.

There were many more Chamois on this section of trail, the largest herds I’d yet seen.

Though I had still not found a water supply, I finally set up the tent in a pretty spot well above the Picos mist.

Eventually the mist rose up to engulf me.

See the rest of my photos from day 4.

Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Kraig Adams video

Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Kraig Adams video

Trip Report – Picos de Europa Circuit – by site editor Rick McCharles

This was the most photogenic day. Amazing.

I started by climbing up from Bulnes La Villa through high pasture land towards the central summits.

I was looking forward to the iconic peak of the Picos, Naranjo de Bulnes.

It’s a world class climbing destination, obviously. But I was more surprised by the normally shy Chamois that hang about the Vega d’Urriellu refugio (1953m) as if they are domesticated.

A cable assisted scramble takes you up and over Torre de los Horcados Rojos.

At the top, this weird silver igloo draws your eye. What the heck is it?

That’s Cabaña Veronica (2325m), once an American aircraft carrier cannon mount. Three hikers can sleep in it.

The most difficult part of the entire Circuit for me was the section from Veronica to Refugio Collado Jermoso. Here’s the high, bleak terrain. There are cairns at the start. But soon you’ll be guessing wildly, route finding and scrambling for a couple of hours. Convinced that you are hopelessly off route.

A GPS is essential. …

Somehow I made it. As did a dozen other hikers that day. Many, I noted, arrived late to the refugio.

This was my favourite sunset of the entire summer.

I set up the tent in a marvelous spot, very high with grand vistas in every direction.

Curious Chamois came by to check out my tent.

Hiking doesn’t get any better than this. .

See the rest of my photos from day 3.

Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Kraig Adams video

Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Kraig Adams video

Trip Report – Picos de Europa Circuit – by site editor Rick McCharles

The morning dawned clear. Quickly I climbed up above the valley cloud.

I met one of the alpine hut guards … with his free running dogs.

Here’s the large sign posted at his refugio, Marques de Villaviciosa:

National Park regulations are somewhat flexible in Spain. And they vary wildly from place to place.

The main “story” of this Circuit are the climbs into and out of the huge Canal de Trea, one of the most spectacular canyons in the world.

There are many slippery and unstable sections before you reach, with relief, the Garganta del Cares gorge at the bottom.

…A remarkable engineering feat, the 3m-wide path running the length of the gorge was gouged out of its sheer walls in 1946 …

This relatively flat day hike is the best and most popular in the Park.

I “cheated” and took the Bulnes Funicular (an underground train) part way up the other side of the gorge, avoiding 4.5km distance and about 400m ascending.

My goal for the next day came into view.

A long but fantastic hiking day in perfect weather.

See the rest of my photos from day 2.

Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Kraig Adams video