How long is Canal de Camburero?

Canal de Camburero is 8.9 km (5.5 mi) long. Most walkers complete it in about 4 hr 25 min, not counting stops.

How hard is Canal de Camburero?

It is rated hard, with roughly 1,700 m (5,577 ft) of total ascent. Treat it as a full day out: the ascent is relentless in places and there are few easy escape points.

How long does Canal de Camburero take?

Allow around 4 hr 25 min of moving time. Add a further 30 to 60 minutes for breaks, photographs and lunch.

When is the best time to hike Canal de Camburero?

October to May is the most reliable window. Summer here is hot and exposed, so the sensible season runs from autumn through to spring.

Can you bring dogs on Canal de Camburero?

Dog access is not formally recorded for this route. Local rules usually allow dogs on a lead, but check signage at the trailhead before you commit to the walk.

Is Canal de Camburero suitable for children?

It is a stretch for younger children. At 8.9 km with 1,700 m (5,577 ft) of ascent, it suits teenagers and confident young walkers rather than a family stroll.

Is Canal de Camburero a loop?

No. It runs point to point, so you will need transport at the far end or a plan to walk back.

Is Canal de Camburero inside Picos de Europa National Park?

Yes. The route lies within Picos de Europa National Park, so park rules on camping, fires and dogs apply along its full length.

Canal de Camburero

HardPicos de Europa National Park · Asturias · Spain

GPX

Distance: 8.9 km (5.5 mi)
Elevation gain: 1,700 m (5,577 ft)
Estimated time: 4 hr 25 min
Difficulty: Hard
Route type: Point to point
Highest point: Not recorded

About Canal de Camburero

Canal de Camburero is a 8.9 km hiking route in Picos de Europa National Park. It climbs roughly 1,700 m (5,577 ft) along the way. Most people take around 4 hr 25 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. This is a demanding day. The climbing is sustained and the descent is long enough to punish tired knees.

This is mountain terrain, and the scale of the surroundings is the reason to come.

Start and finish are in different places, which means public transport or a second car is part of the planning. The route is waymarked and marked on the ground with its own symbol, so navigation is straightforward in good visibility.

Plan this one outside the summer months: cooler air makes the exposed sections far more pleasant. The route is maintained by Parque Nacional de los Picos de Europa.

In short, Canal de Camburero suits fit hikers with a habit of long days and an eye on the forecast. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.

Plan around this route’s details

Start, finish and return: The recorded 8.9 km line has different endpoints. Confirm travel from the finish before setting out; that return journey is additional to the mapped route.
Climbing in context: The recorded ascent averages approximately 191 m of climbing per kilometre across the whole route. This is climbing density, not trail gradient: climbs and flatter sections may be unevenly distributed.
What needs a separate check: This record does not establish surface, dog access, wheelchair access. Check any of these that affect your group. Current closures, access arrangements and transport are not verified by the route line.

Understand the source data →Suggest a sourced correction →

Route map

Hard8.9 km1,700 m

Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation

Make it fit your day

Your walking-time scenario

Adjust the example pace and allowances to explore your own plan. This calculator uses your inputs, so it may differ from the directory’s headline estimate.

Walking distance (km)

Total ascent (m)

Level-ground pace (km/h)

Extra minutes per 100 m ascent

Stops and extra allowance (min)

Calculated walking time including your allowances

5 hr 34 min

134 min for distance + 170 min for ascent + 30 min allowance.

Formula: distance ÷ pace × 60 + ascent ÷ 100 × climbing allowance + stops. Travel to and from the route is additional. Terrain, descent, weather and navigation are not modelled. These results do not establish route suitability. Read the time-planning guide.

Recorded route measurements

The route is normally walked in the direction described below. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The upper section is where the route earns its reputation, and it is also where weather changes fastest. Because the finish is away from the start, check return transport before committing to the second half.

Highlights

Inside Picos de Europa National Park
Mountain
Waymarked route
Waymarked and signposted
Over 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of ascent

Know before you go

Season field: October to May
Waymarked: Recorded as waymarked
Surface: Not recorded
Dogs: Not recorded, check locally
Wheelchair access: Not recorded
Entrance fee: Not recorded
Camping: Not recorded
Drinking water: Not recorded as available
Toilets: Not recorded as available
Mobile coverage: Not verified
Parking: Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
Emergency: 112 in Europe, 911 in North America

How this trail scores

Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.

Scenery: 66/100
Adventure: 56/100
Difficulty: 62/100
Accessibility: 45/100
Family: 25/100
Dogs: 62/100

Tips from the trail

Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
Aim for october to may for the most reliable conditions.
Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.

Warnings

This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.

Safety

Emergency services in Spain are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.

What to bring

Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
Weatherproof jacket
At least 1.5 litres of water
Trekking poles for the descent
Offline map and compass
Head torch and spare battery
Extra warm layer
Small first aid kit including blister plasters

Photography

Shoot the first hour after sunrise from the higher ground: the low angle picks out every ridge and the valleys still hold mist. Take the shot on the way out. Conditions rarely improve by the time you come back past. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.

Frequently asked questions

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Prepare for this walk

All planning articles →

Understanding the map

Download a GPX route and check it before leaving

Take a route into your navigation app, check the imported line and understand what a GPX download does and does not contain.

Read article →

Planning your day

Loops, out-and-backs and point-to-point return plans

Work out what a route's shape means for distance, endpoints and getting back after the walk.

Read article →

Sources and confidence

What open route data can tell you—and what to verify locally

Distinguish source records, calculated estimates and missing details before relying on a route page.

Read article →