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- Lagos de Covadonga (Enol & Ercina) — Two glacial lakes tucked into a steep bowl of granite and grass; the water is mirror-clear, the surrounding peaks are dramatic, and there are short, easy walks and viewpoints that feel alpine without a long trek.
- Ruta del Cares (Cares Gorge) — A carved footpath running through a spectacular limestone canyon between Poncebos and Caín. It’s an unforgettable, mostly exposed trail with sheer drops, turquoise water below, and jaw-dropping geology — perfect for a long day-hike. (Personal favorite: the sense of scale on this trail never gets old.)
- Fuente Dé cable car & upper viewpoint — A four-minute cable car that shoots you up to panoramic ridgelines around 1,800 m. From the top you can walk into open alpine pastures, start classic hikes like the Áliva plateaus,
- Lagos de Covadonga (Enol & Ercina) — Two glacial lakes tucked into a steep bowl of granite and grass; the water is mirror-clear, the surrounding peaks are dramatic, and there are short, easy walks and viewpoints that feel alpine without a long trek.
- Ruta del Cares (Cares Gorge) — A carved footpath running through a spectacular limestone canyon between Poncebos and Caín. It’s an unforgettable, mostly exposed trail with sheer drops, turquoise water below, and jaw-dropping geology — perfect for a long day-hike. (Personal favorite: the sense of scale on this trail never gets old.)
- Fuente Dé cable car & upper viewpoint — A four-minute cable car that shoots you up to panoramic ridgelines around 1,800 m. From the top you can walk into open alpine pastures, start classic hikes like the Áliva plateaus, and get one of the best bird’s-eye views in the park.
- Picu Urriellu / Naranjo de Bulnes — That sheer, orange limestone monolith you’ve seen in photos; it’s a climber’s icon and a stunning focal point for sunrise and sunset. Even if you don’t climb, the approaches and viewpoints (from Sotres or Bulnes) are ridiculously photogenic.
- Bulnes & Sotres (traditional mountain villages) — Tiny, preserved villages that feel frozen in time: stone houses, shepherding traditions, and local mountain restaurants. Bulnes is reachable by a funicular or footpath and makes a great base for nearby peaks; Sotres is higher and wilder, with direct access to classic routes.
- Aliva plateau & Vega de Liordes — Wide, high meadows and limestone pavements where seasonal wildflowers carpet the ground and the sky feels enormous. It’s a calm counterpoint to the steep gorges and a lovely place for sunrise, wildflower walks, and stargazing.
- Wildlife & raptors (chamois, vultures, eagles) — Keep your binoculars handy: rebecos (chamois) pick over cliffs, griffon vultures wheel above the crags, and golden eagles sometimes patrol the higher ridges. Wildlife is shy but rewarding if you move quietly or watch from viewpoints.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
Immersive visit to the Velarde Palace Museum
Historic Santillana del Mar Hidden Treasure Private Tour
✓ Free cancellation
Santillana del Mar and the medieval Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana
✓ Free cancellation
Santillana Uncorked Wine Tasting: A private Adventure
Historic Altamira Museum Private Tour Through Santillana Del Mar
Santillana del Mar Architectural Jewels Private Tour
Santillana: Gaudí’s Caprice, Comillas and Redwood Forest
✓ Free cancellation
Santillana del Mar Yuletide Christmas Private Tour
Private Guided Walking Tour of Santillana del Mar
✓ Free cancellation
Private Walking Tour of Altamira and Neocave Museum
✓ Free cancellation
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.