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Sailors returning from long voyages to northern Spanish shores could see this compact area of high snow capped peaks, reaching up to 2648m, long before they reached land and they were thereby christened the peaks of Europe. In some ways little has changed in this sleepy corner of Spain; so far it has resisted attempts to 'over develop' it, maybe perhaps because the Picos are divided into three self administering regions which are sometimes at loggerheads with each other. The towns have remained small, infact the older, more rural villages have buildings of similar construction to those of Nepal. The countryside is breathtaking and this popular tour gives the opportunity to visit several different areas and to undertake a variety of walks from pastoral strolls to gorge and high mountain scrambling. A variety of weather accompanies the varying scenery of the Picos, accounting for the differences between the Atlantic influenced Lago de Enol, to the Mediteranean climes of Valdeon to the south of the range. The combination of high jagged limestone peaks, deep gorges, substantial forests, caves and Alpine pastures has resulted in a wealth of plant and animal diversity from the European Brown Bear (which you won't see!), to Rebeccos scrambling across high level snow patches; from the Golden Salamander to the profusion of orchids that will accompany the tour during the early departure. This trek allows the Picos to be tackled from many different approaches presenting the opportunity for of scrambling on a couple of the large peaks at the heart of the range itself, and seeing the famous tunnels and irrigation channels of the Cares gorge. There will be ample time to experience the famous local cider which is poured from a great height into the glass to make it 'sparkle'
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