Spain's Picos de Europa Mountains

Tour Code: ESP12

An 8-day holiday of birdwatching and botanical walks in the Picos de Europa mountains.

8 days from
£1,695 (Inc flights)

Land only price from
£1,575

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Highlights

The Picos de Europa are a dramatic range of jagged limestone peaks in northern Spain, a spectacular region rich in natural history. On this 2-centre wildlife holiday, based first in the small village of Arenas in the northern Picos and then in the delightfully unspoilt and attractive village of Cosgaya in the southern Picos, we’ll take full-day walks as we go in search of the region’s birds, flowers and butterflies. For many, the highlight of each walk will be our renowned Naturetrek picnic (including local cheeses and wines!), taken at leisure amongst flower-filled meadows and mountains. Another highlight will be our ascent on Europe's longest single-span cable car from Fuente Dé to the limestone summits 800 metres above, where alpine flora and Wallcreepers are amongst the attractions!

The perfect destination for the all-round naturalist!
Outstanding natural history & mountain walking
Wallcreeper, Snowfinch & Alpine Accentor
Gentians, saxifrages, orchids & narcissi
Experience the Fuente Dé cable car
Enjoy local cuisine

Grading

Grade B. Day walks only.

The Cantabrian Mountains run along the north coast of Spain for about 300 kilometres. The Picos de Europa lie in the centre of this range, a dramatic block of jagged limestone peaks, amongst them Torre de Cerrado, at 2,648 metres, the highest mountain in northern Spain. These little-known mountains remain an area of wild natural beauty, rich in bird and plant-life and with many species of butterflies, including the Scarce Swallowtail, Apollo, Camberwell Beauty, Gavarnie Blue, and many different fritillaries, blues and ringlets. The whiteness of the limestone is a special feature of an area comprised of deep gorges, towering white cliffs and pinnacles, woods and alpine pastures.

This holiday is in some ways similar in format to our popular holidays in the French and Spanish Pyrenees, but with a character all of its own. It is a 2-centre holiday, and we will be based in two very different hotels, one in the small village of Arenas in the northern Picos, the other in the delightfully unspoilt and attractive village of Cosgaya, in the southern Picos. Each village is surrounded by meadows and mountains, a base from which to explore the countryside, either on foot or by taking our minibus further afield. A picnic is provided each day giving you a chance to sample some of the excellent wines and cheeses from the Picos region! By travelling slightly later in the summer, we will see all those lovely plants we miss in the Pyrenees: the English Iris, Brown Foxglove, Yellow Wolfsbane and Lizard Orchid being just some of them. Our excursions will start along gentle valley routes, using ancient tracks trodden by shepherds and woodcutters. Often they are lined with crumbling stone walls filled with ferns. We will progress to fabulous mountain views, but the pace of our walks will allow us plenty of time to enjoy the natural history of the many habitats through which we pass.

The highlight for alpine plant lovers is the top of the Fuente Dé, reached by cable car. This will take us up 800 metres, to a wild area of limestone scree and pavement. From the top, we will walk towards the Refugio de Aliva. Here, amongst crevices, we may see Narcissus asturiensis, the showy yellow Saxifraga aretioides, gentians, Teucrium pyrenaicum, Aquilegia discolor and many others including the beautiful white buttercup, Ranunculus amplexicaulis.

The birds of the high Picos are no less spectacular. Griffon and Egyptian Vultures are particularly common, whilst Booted and Short-toed Eagles soar above the peaks together with Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, and occasionally Hen Harriers. Amongst the high crags it is possible to see Crag Martins, Alpine Accentors, Snow Finches, Rock Thrushes and, with luck, the elusive Wallcreeper. We will also see raptors in the gorges running through the mountains.

A delightful valley walk leads to the Refugio de Aliva. En route we pass old farm buildings in flower-filled meadows, and on the rocky outcrops we will look for Sempervivum cantabricum, Petrocoptis glaucifolia and the Yellow Snapdragon (Antirrhinum braun-blanquetii).

The Picos region supports many interesting orchids. Along meadows and pathways we may see Ophrys species such as Bee, Insect, Woodcock and Sawfly, and also the Man and occasional Tongue Orchid. In damp meadows and along stream sides there will be a riot of Marsh Orchids, and perhaps the rare Robust Orchid. The beautiful blue Eryngium bourgatii and Dianthus monspessulanus (the Fringed Pink) and Linum viscosum (Sticky Flax) are common companions for the wayside orchids. We will also explore the heathlands for the beautiful and interesting Daboecia cantabrica (St Daboec’s Heath).

Extensive mixed woodlands still exist, some of them dominated by the Pyrenean Oak. We will also visit the beechwoods in the Andara, a known habitat for Capercaillie and Black Woodpeckers. Other woodland birds may include Spotted Flycatcher, Short-toed Treecreeper, Firecrest and Bonelli’s Warbler.

On the high mountain slopes we will hope to see Chamois and, although we are unlikely to see one, we must nonetheless keep our eyes open for Wolf and Brown Bear, which still retain a foothold in these mountains. The Snow Vole is the smallest mammal we may see, and after rain, the yellow and black Fire Salamanders might appear.

This region, fortunately still somewhat lost in time, holds something of interest for everyone. The flowers, butterflies and birds are outstanding ... and the scenery is exceptional.

DETAILED INFORMATION

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1

Fly Santander (or Bilbao); transfer to Arenas

Day 2/4

Arenas, northern Picos

Day 5/7

Cosgaya, southern Picos

Day 8

Fly London

Download Full Itinerary

What's Included

What's Included?

Flights
Accommodation:
Two small, simple but comfortable, mountain hotels, both with private facilities.
Food:
All included in the price. Picnic lunches.

Reviews

A good two centre holiday of nature field trips around the valleys and peaks of the Picos. Wonderful upland grasslands full of flowers, orchids and butterflies. We were very lucky to see a magnificent adult lammergeier glide close by us. ‘Good eyes’ in our leaders and the group made many memorable sightings. Our accommodation was comfortable, the crew in Arenas de Cabrales were incredibly welcoming. Naturetrek staff were very helpful and supportive during initial enquiries and throughout the pre-departure phase. Transport was comfortable. The tour leaders kept us going with local knowledge, briefings and resourcefulness.
G.H. Surrey, Jun 23
The guides, Matthew and Laura, couldn't be faulted and made the holiday so interesting and pleasurable. They made sure everyone saw as much as possible and answered all questions with knowledge and courtesy. The feedback sessions after each day were very good and helpful and Matthew and Laura's picnics were so good and varied. The itinerary was excellent and I loved the time given to look and learn.
RB, East Sussex, June 19
I really enjoyed this holiday. The picnic lunches deserve a special mention. The leaders were great company throughout. Birds, flowers, scenery, great food, good weather and a great group of people. What more could you want? Thank you.
D.R. West Sussex

Jenny has a wide knowledge of the flowers and was meticulous in looking up those she had not seen before. She recorded each find. She gave clear reasons for the identification as far as she could. She led clearly and diplomatically. Matt showed keen enthusiasm for the birds, butterflies and the area. He had put much effort into preparing for the tour.
D.R. Northamptonshire

I've travelled with Maureen Ponting before and know how good she is. I hadn't met Matt Hobbs but was most impressed - both with his helpfulness and with his willingness to go the extra mile - literally in the case of fetching the bus to save our legs. His picnic salads were a revelation - hazelnut waldorf salad, freshly prepared, above Fuente De had passing hikers queuing up for a taste.
C.M. Dorset

The general content, organisation and trip leaders were brilliant! Every day somewhere different, with some new species and repeats of others (helpful to the old memory!); adjustments made to the itinerary because of dry conditions worked out well. We saw an amazing number of plants (with the aid of Maureen's identification) and birds and butterflies - latter identified conclusively through Matt’s excellent digital photography and photographic butterfly book. I am very grateful to both Matt and Maureen for their help and patience. Matt was well-organised, knowledgeable and very concerned about every individual in the group. He appeared very calm and in control and was an excellent driver (not to be distracted on winding roads, which was reassuring!).
D.M. Angus

This holiday was great fun, with a really nice group of people and some excellent birding in spectacular surroundings. My only complaint is I put on weight due to the delicious food!
D.C. Scotland

Both leaders were absolutely excellent. They were very knowledgeable, approachable, always patient and good natured whatever questions were thrown at them! They took care to provide us with an interesting lunch and looked after less agile members when necessary.
M.H. Yorkshire

A beautiful remote area and we were lucky with the weather. Andrew and Lee were superb leaders - expert in the field, friendly and communicative. As a group, they looked after our every need. We would be delighted to travel with them again.
Mr. & Mrs. M. London

I would particularly enjoy another tour with these two leaders who are both exceptional.
H.R. Bristol

I have thoroughly enjoyed the holiday and look forward to my next Naturetrek trip!
J.B. Somerset

Lee is an outstanding leader; his expertise in all fields, his dedication, concern, humanity and hard work are fantastic. Organisation was brilliant, always doing the right thing at the right time.
Mr T. West Sussex

Lee was outstanding as leader. Very knowledgeable, especially on plants, good at organisation of day-to-day itinerary, also at assessing folks' capabilities re walking. Very pleasant guy and unfailingly helpful. Jim was very good at backup and his ornithological knowledge is first rate.
Dr M. Warwickshire

Lee Morgan was an excellent communicator and endlessly interested in our finds and helping us identify them (my primary interest was plants). Both he and Jim were good company and ensured our very diverse group had their individual interests catered for.
Ms D. East Sussex

I enjoyed all the walks and not being on the van for too long. The picnics are always lovely and the shared knowledge of like minded people who are always only too pleased to share it. Very pleasant company.
I.R. Kent

Both leaders were excellent, full of knowledge, kind and attentive. They worked very hard on our behalf. They also made excellent picnic lunches! All the walks had been carefully chosen to give a splendid array of birds and flowers.
J. & R.W. London

Laura's knowledge of the area and its flora and fauna was remarkable. Her energy and adaptability, particularly having to change plans due to weather, were admirable. she was a thoroughly capable, competent and most amusing and caring group leader.
S.P. Herefordshire

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Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost

Wed 11th Jun – Wed 18th Jun 3 £1,695

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£1,575

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£160

2026

Departures Availability Cost

Thu 11th Jun – Thu 18th Jun SPACES £1,795

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£1,675

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£160

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There are few more pleasing sights in the natural world than a meadow filled with wildflowers. Seeing plants in their native habitat is always exciting and our flower tours offer you an incredible choice, from dazzling tropical blooms and the thrill of finding elusive orchids or delicate alpines, to seeing island endemics or British flora. Our tours range from week-long holidays focusing on the ‘Alpine flowers of the Swiss Alps’, the ‘Italian Dolomites’ and the ‘Alpine Flowers of Slovenia’s Julian Alps’, to orchid-hunting on Italy’s Gargano Peninsula and searching for the Autumn Plants of Greece’s Peloponnese. We also visit more remote areas of the world in search of plant-life, from the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan where we look for wild tulips, to the rainforests and spiny deserts of Madagascar where over 80% of the flora is endemic.  
Many of us want to know more about the plants we see around us. Whether inspired by an appreciation of the aesthetic appeal of flowers, or a more focused desire to identify individual species, everyone with an interest in botany will derive pleasure from joining one of Naturetrek’s flower tours.
Why choose Naturetrek’s botanical holidays?

All our botanical holidays are led by expert botanist guides
All levels of interest and expertise are catered for, from hobby gardeners and complete beginners to keen botanists who wish to explore a new area with the help of a knowledgeable leader
We keep the overall focus on flora, though expert guidance is also given on other wildlife

What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek botanical holiday?

Travel with a group of like-minded people
Stay at a comfortable hotel or lodge, close to an area of outstanding botanical interest
Enjoy a series of leisurely day excursions with ample time to appreciate the local flora

In addition to our dedicated flower tours, we also offer holidays with a wider theme to encompass birds, butterflies and other aspects of natural history as well as the flora. Our spring tours to 'Crete' and ‘The Island of Cyprus’ are both timed to allow us to enjoy the botanical highlights as well as the spring bird migration, whilst ‘Croatia and Slovenia – Spring in Istria’ also allows time to enjoy a little of the local culture. ‘Romania – the Wildlife of Transylvania’ combines an appreciation of the flora of the Carpathian Mountains with birding, butterflying and a trip to look for Brown Bears from a purpose built hide, and our holidays in both the ‘French Pyrenees’ and the ‘Spanish Pyrenees’ combine birds, butterflies and botany throughout the week.  

Our specialist recommends...


"I'd recommend 'Wengen – Alpine Flowers of the Swiss Alps', 'Crete' and 'The French Pyrenees', which all offer some fascinating European botany, along with plenty of wider natural history and some stunning scenery. If you’re keen to travel a little further afield, I’d suggest joining us in South Africa for our 'Wild Flowers of the Cape & Namaqualand' tour” 

David Tattersfield - Tour Leader

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Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:

Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar

Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
 

Our specialist recommends...


"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader

  
 
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Tour Dates or Itinerary Don't Suit?

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Tour Reports

Tour report - June 2012

Tour report - June 2011

Tour report - June 2009

Tour report - June 2008

Tour report - June 2007

Tour report - June 2006

Tour report - June 2005

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Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!