Walking the Picos de Europa

The small but endearing town of Arenas de Cabrales acts as a major gateway to the Picos de Europa. It's here we gather at the hotel. When everyone's arrived, we'll have a welcome briefing – an excellent chance to meet the group and leader. Alternatively, if you'd like a little time to settle into the adventure, speak to us about booking hotel nights before the trip begins (D).

The walk begins directly from our hotel. After leaving the village, a path leads us up to the pastures of Vanu with the most famous peaks of Picos de Europa visible on sunny days. We continue onwards where the scenery changes and we can view across the main valley of Cabrales. In spring, it's possible to see a large variety of flowers. Looking skywards it is also possible to spot some vultures soaring above.

For lunch, we will approach the village of Inguanzo before completing the final part of the walk. This section is more undulating and provides us with fresh views; a comfortable last mile takes us back to Arenas de Cabrales. Most of this first day's walk follows wide easy tracks for warming up with some steep ascents. There is only a short section of downhill walking. Distance: 10mi (16km) ; ascent: 2,395ft (730m) ; descent: 2,395ft (730m) ; duration: seven hours; highest point: Los Fresnos col at 2,362ft (720m) above sea level (B/L/D).

A short transfer takes us to the village of Canales. The first part of the day follows farm tracks before a short climb up to the Collado de los Buitres. If you are lucky, you may see griffon vultures soaring above. We then follow open terrain, slowly ascending to the base of the Pandescura peak. A simple ascent to the top will lead us to an ideal lunch spot with superb views of the western massif peaks. We then descend through green hills to the village of Demues. Distance: 9mi (14km) ; ascent: 1,804ft (550m) ; descent: 1,903ft (580m) ; duration: six hours; highest point: Pandescura peak at 3,281ft (1,000m) above sea level (B/L/D).

The Cares Gorge trail has been described as the jewel in the crown of Spanish hiking. For 7. 5mi (12km), the engineered path has been blasted into the rock face. Originally built in the 1940s as part of a hydroelectric scheme, it is now one of the most popular walks in the country. In places, the surrounding peaks rise more than 6,562ft (2,000m) above the path and, if we're lucky, we glimpse the rare and beautiful wall creeper bird.

The path eventually emerges in the village of Cain, where we lunch before returning along the same path to Puente Poncebos. Transport will be waiting here to take us back to our hotel in Arenas. The walk is relatively flat with a gradual ascent of just 1,148ft (350m) from Puente Poncebos to Cain. Distance: 15mi (24km) ; ascent: 1,804ft (550m) ; descent: 1,804ft (550m) ; duration: seven hours; highest point: Los Collaos at 1,673ft (510m) (B/L/D).

Today is free for you to visit the coast, self-guided canoeing, or canyoning. Our local staff can help organise any of these activities (B).

Starting close to the village of Tieve, we walk up into the Main range and summit Peña Main, one of the classic viewpoints in the Picos. We walk to Collado de Pandebano and then begin our descent. Distance: 7mi (11km) ; ascent: 3,445ft (1,050m) ; descent: 2,428ft (740m) ; duration: seven hours; highest point: Cabeza la Mesa at 5,288ft (1,612m) (B/L/D).

At 6,562ft (2,000m), the twin summits of Mancondiu are the highest point we reach during the week. Most of the walking, apart from the last 656ft (200m), is on disused mining tracks. The top offers fantastic views of the central and eastern massifs and is a fantastic end to a diverse week of walking. Distance: 7mi (11km) ; ascent: 2,411ft (735m) ; descent: 2,411ft (735m) ; duration: five hours; highest point: Macondiu peak at 6,562ft (2,000m) (B/L/D).

After one final breakfast, you'll begin your return journey home. Of course, if you'd like to continue the adventure, you can always speak to your sales consultant and extend your hotel stay (B).