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Hard Hiking Trails in Picos de Europa National Park

We track 11 routes that match this search in Picos de Europa National Park. They average 33.1 km and 2,443 m (8,015 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 108 km.

That is 28 percent of the 40 routes we map in Picos de Europa National Park. They run noticeably longer than average for the area, 33.1 km against 15.5 km, so budget more daylight than a typical outing here. The climbing is steeper too: 2,443 m (8,015 ft) on average versus 830 m (2,723 ft) across the wider area.

Hard routes mean sustained ascent, long descents and a real need to watch the clock and the forecast. These lean toward the demanding end, so plan for a full day and check the forecast before you commit.

Trails

Hard

Ruta de la Reconquista (Etapa 2)

Picos de Europa National Park · Asturias

Distance
17.6 km
/ 10.9 mi
Elevation gain
387 m
Typical duration
4 hr 19 min
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Hard

Ruta de la Reconquista (Etapa 4)

Picos de Europa National Park · Asturias

Distance
25.6 km
/ 15.9 mi
Elevation gain
563 m
Typical duration
6 hr 29 min
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Hard

Vega de Liordes

Picos de Europa National Park · Cantabria

Distance
13.2 km
/ 8.2 mi
Elevation gain
970 m
Typical duration
4 hr 12 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Collado Jermoso

Picos de Europa National Park · Castile and León

Distance
4.9 km
/ 3.0 mi
Elevation gain
1,214 m
Typical duration
2 hr 50 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Macizo de Ándara

Picos de Europa National Park · Cantabria

Distance
15.8 km
/ 9.8 mi
Elevation gain
347 m
Typical duration
3 hr 50 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Ruta del Cares

Picos de Europa National Park · Asturias

Distance
19.8 km
/ 12.3 mi
Elevation gain
160 m
Typical duration
4 hr 30 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Vega de Urriellu

Picos de Europa National Park · Asturias

Distance
10.4 km
/ 6.5 mi
Elevation gain
1,279 m
Typical duration
4 hr 5 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Canal de Camburero

Picos de Europa National Park · Asturias

Distance
8.9 km
/ 5.5 mi
Elevation gain
1,700 m
Typical duration
4 hr 25 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Expert

El Anillo Vindio

Picos de Europa National Park · Asturias

Distance
56.8 km
/ 35.3 mi
Elevation gain
3,900 m
Typical duration
18 hr
  • Forest
Expert

El Anillo de Picos (3 Macizos)

Picos de Europa National Park · Asturias

Distance
108 km
/ 67.0 mi
Elevation gain
9,350 m
Typical duration
39 hr
  • Long-distance path

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Ruta de la Reconquista (Etapa 2)Picos de Europa National Park17.6 km387 m4 hr 19 minHardOctober to May
Ruta de la Reconquista (Etapa 4)Picos de Europa National Park25.6 km563 m6 hr 29 minHardOctober to May
Vega de LiordesPicos de Europa National Park13.2 km970 m4 hr 12 minHardOctober to May
Collado JermosoPicos de Europa National Park4.9 km1,214 m2 hr 50 minHardOctober to May
Macizo de ÁndaraPicos de Europa National Park15.8 km347 m3 hr 50 minHardOctober to May
Ruta del CaresPicos de Europa National Park19.8 km160 m4 hr 30 minHardOctober to May
Vega de UrrielluPicos de Europa National Park10.4 km1,279 m4 hr 5 minHardOctober to May
Canal de CambureroPicos de Europa National Park8.9 km1,700 m4 hr 25 minHardOctober to May
El Anillo VindioPicos de Europa National Park56.8 km3,900 m18 hrExpertOctober to May
El Anillo de Picos (3 Macizos)Picos de Europa National Park108 km9,350 m39 hrExpertOctober to May

If you only have time for one, start with Ruta de la Reconquista (Etapa 4), Ruta de la Reconquista (Etapa 2), Vega de Liordes. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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