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Hiking in the Rio Cares Gorge in Picos de Europa

My wife and I will be traveling in northern Spain with another couple later this month. We plan to spend a few days in Parque Nacional de los Picos de Europa. We are considering a hike along the trail that passes through the Desfiladero del Rio Cares in the park. We don't have time to do the entire hike, but would like to start at the town of Cain at the southern end of the gorge and hike north for at least a few miles, and then return. I would appreciate any comments by someone who has done this hike: How's the scenery at this end of the gorge? What is the condition of the trail surface? Is lousy mountain weather likely to be an issue in the last half of September?

Thanks for any advice.

Posted by
9110 posts

An out-and-back will work and the scenery is pretty good by the time you're a couple of miles into the gorge proper.

You'd probably be happier in low cut hikers or sneakers rather than slippery street shoes.

If you're going to be more than an hour from shelter, take a rain jacket and a light under layer. The weather changes like stink.

Posted by
694 posts

I did the same thing but from Poncebos.
The trail is mostly loose gravel/rocks, like Ed said good sneakers would be enough. My son is afraid of heights, he was 15 at the time, and after 2 hours we had to turn back it was too much for him!
The trail is not too hard, scenery is beautiful! If you will be taking the Fuente De cable car do the hike to refugio de Avila, easy walk and nice scenery. Enjoy your trip!