Easy
Picos de Europa National Park · Cantabria
- Distance
- 6.0 km / 3.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 131 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 26 min
Vega de Liordes
HardPicos de Europa National Park · Cantabria · Spain
- Distance
- 13.2 km (8.2 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 970 m (3,182 ft)
- Typical time
- 4 hr 12 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Route type
- Loop
- Highest point
- Not recorded
About Vega de Liordes
Vega de Liordes is a 13.2 km hiking route in Picos de Europa National Park. It climbs roughly 970 m (3,182 ft) along the way. Most people take around 4 hr 12 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. Treat it as a full day out: the ascent is relentless in places and there are few easy escape points.
The higher sections open out completely, with ridgelines stacking into the distance on clear days.
The circuit closes on itself, which makes logistics simple: one car park, one round of 8.2 mi. 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.
In short, Vega de Liordes 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.
Route map
Hard13.2 km970 m
Numbered marks every 5 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 upper section is where the route earns its reputation, and it is also where weather changes fastest. 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
- Mountain
- Waymarked route
- Circular route, no backtracking
- Waymarked and signposted
Know before you go
- Best season
- October to May
- Waymarked
- Yes, signed on the ground
- 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
- 66/100
- Adventure
- 51/100
- Difficulty
- 55/100
- Accessibility
- 36/100
- Family
- 20/100
- Dogs
- 62/100
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
- 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. 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 Vega de Liordes
Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.
Moderate
Picos de Europa National Park · Cantabria
- Distance
- 13.0 km / 8.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 285 m
- Typical duration
- 3 hr 8 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Picos de Europa National Park · Cantabria
- Distance
- 4.7 km / 2.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 103 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 8 min
- Waymarked route
Moderate
Picos de Europa National Park · Cantabria
- Distance
- 13.5 km / 8.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 296 m
- Typical duration
- 3 hr 15 min
- Pilgrimage route
- Waymarked route
Moderate
Picos de Europa National Park · Asturias
- Distance
- 8.0 km / 5.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 176 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 56 min
Moderate
Picos de Europa National Park · Cantabria
- Distance
- 9.8 km / 6.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 215 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 21 min
- Forest
- Waymarked route