Walking Highlights of the Picos de Europa

This trip can start any day of the week, from April into July and September through October. During these times, daytime temperatures will range between 15°-25°c.

The climate in the Picos is variable, the mountains are part of what is euphemistically known as 'green Spain'.

These are high mountains set just off the northern coast of Spain, off shore is essentially the width of the Atlantic Ocean. Saying this, your walk follows a route around the more protected southern parts of the mountains where you are likely to find more sunny days.

May and June tend to be showery but are also one of the most beautiful times to visit with flowers in the meadows and snow on the high mountains, to the point that in early spring the high walk on day four might be still covered in snow.

The driest month is usually September. October gradually gets more changeable but benefits from the beautiful colours of the autumnal forests.

A major advantage of having your own car is that the walks can be adapted to your needs and overall you have complete control over how much or how little you do on any given day.

We also provide you with routes for a variety of self-guided hikes in each area, from half-day strolls to full-day hikes. On some of these, you simply walk as far as you like before turning around.

The itinerary includes two guided hiking days which can be adapted to suit you depending on how far you want to walk.

The accommodation on this journey is very comfortable and very typical of the Picos de Europa, though not 'fancy'. The hotels are often made from traditional stone with thick walls and small windows, but great balconies and garden areas. You will always have a warm welcome from the hosts and good hearty homecooked dinners on the nights you eat in.

Although this is a largely independent walking holiday, we are always on hand to help and advise should you need us. You will be given a local support number before you travel - we are always on hand 24/7. It should be said though that we provide easy-to-use navigational guidance for both the walking and the driving, meaning it should be very difficult for you to get into any bother!

For sure. The way of life up in the mountains has changed remarkably little in the last 50 years, you will still see people scything the hay and leading their sheep out to graze in the high pastures. You have time with your own local guide exploring the area so we fully expect you to come away from this trip having had a great, fun adventure holiday in beautiful surroundings, but also with an appreciation of the local culture.

For two people travelling to Spain, you can expect a medium-sized vehicle such as a VW Golf. We can’t guarantee specific make or model.

We can provide a hybrid vehicle if you begin and end at Bilbao airport. If this is of interest, please let us know - the reason we have not included it as standard (as much as we'd love to) is that it is a fair bit more expensive than a 'regular' car, though it does invariably include full insurance and an additional driver.

Total carbon generated on this trip: 342kg per person
Carbon mitigated by us: 547kg per person

For every kilometre travelled by road, air and sea on your Pura Aventura holiday, we carbon balance it by a mile - i.e. by 160% of your trip's carbon, from your front door and back again, irrespective of whether we book your international travel or not.

This is one of the travel industry's most ambitious and innovative schemes and has recently been praised by Wanderlust, Condé Nast Traveller and The Independent.

We take a 15% deposit to secure your holiday, with the remainder due eight weeks before your departure.

Your money is 100% protected through our ATOL licence if your trip includes a flight booked through us, or through our ABTOT bond if it does not. Either way, this protection provides a cast iron financial guarantee and helps you book with complete peace of mind. Because the contract between us exists here in the UK, you get this protection regardless of where you live.