Hard
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
El Anillo de Picos (3 Macizos)
ExpertPicos de Europa National Park · Asturias · Spain
- Distance
- 108 km (67.0 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 9,350 m (30,676 ft)
- Typical time
- 39 hr
- Difficulty
- Expert
- Route type
- Loop
- Highest point
- Not recorded
About El Anillo de Picos (3 Macizos)
El Anillo de Picos (3 Macizos) is a 108 km hiking route in Picos de Europa National Park. It climbs roughly 9,350 m (30,676 ft) along the way. Most people take around 7 days at a comfortable pace, plus stops. This is a committing route for experienced hikers only, with serious ascent and long stretches far from help.
It forms part of a long-distance path, so it links cleanly into multi-day itineraries.
The circuit closes on itself, which makes logistics simple: one car park, one round of 67.0 mi. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.
Summer here is hot and exposed, so the sensible season runs from autumn through to spring.
In short, El Anillo de Picos (3 Macizos) suits experienced mountain walkers who are comfortable with exposure, navigation and long descents. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Expert108 km9,350 m
Numbered marks every 10 km
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
The route in detail
The loop is usually walked clockwise from the main trailhead. 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 return leg is the reverse of the outward journey, which makes it easy to judge remaining time.
Highlights
- Inside Picos de Europa National Park
- Long-distance path
- Circular route, no backtracking
- Part of a long-distance path
- Over 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of ascent
Know before you go
- Best season
- October to May
- Waymarked
- Not consistently
- Surface
- Mixed natural surface
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Entrance fee
- No fee recorded
- Camping
- Follow park rules
- Drinking water
- Carry your own
- Toilets
- Not recorded
- Mobile coverage
- Generally usable
- 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
- 54/100
- Adventure
- 80/100
- Difficulty
- 100/100
- Accessibility
- 13/100
- Family
- 7/100
- Dogs
- 47/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Start at first light. A long day is far more pleasant when you are not racing the sunset on the descent.
- Aim for october to may for the most reliable conditions.
- Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
- Break the route into stages and decide your turnaround time before you set off.
- 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
- Real food, not just snacks
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
Photography
Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. Because it is a loop, the light changes direction as you go, so save some memory for the back half. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
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Trails near El Anillo de Picos (3 Macizos)
Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.
Easy
Picos de Europa National Park · Castile and León
- Distance
- 4.7 km / 2.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 104 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 8 min
- Cave
Hard
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
Expert
Picos de Europa National Park · Asturias
- Distance
- 83.3 km / 51.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 7,000 m
- Typical duration
- 29 hr
- Long-distance path
Moderate
Picos de Europa National Park · Asturias
- Distance
- 10.0 km / 6.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 220 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 25 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Picos de Europa National Park · Castile and León
- Distance
- 3.4 km / 2.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 75 m
- Typical duration
- 50 min