The Picos de Europa's spectacular natural landscape makes it one of the most popular tourist attractions, especially among nature lovers. It is a mountainous massif in the Cantabrian mountain range with a great panoramic view due to its proximity to the sea.
The Picos de Europa National Park is Spain's second most visited natural park. It covers Asturias, Cantabria, and Castilla y León, with a map in which the highest peaks reach 2500 meters. The park is divided into three sectors: the Western, Eastern, and Central Massifs, which are the places where the highest peaks are found, with the Cerredo Tower being the highest, at over 2600 meters, although there are also other famous ones like Urriellu Peak and Naranjo de Bulnes.
Hundreds of tourists go to the villages nestled in the Picos de Europa looking for the perfect rural lodging to spend a few days breathing fresh air and admiring a postcard-worthy environment.
If you visit the Picos de Europa National Park as an adventurer, you will have the opportunity to participate in different kinds of routes to suit your preferences, including the Cares Route, which is over 20 kilometres long and moderate to difficult and is one of the most popular due to its scenic beauty.
Other routes, such as the Entrelagos or Panes-Alles, are also necessary for viewing the Picos de Europa from inside. If you are travelling with children, you can drive to the park, where you will find over thirty self-guided paths and many visitor centres that allow you to learn more about this wonderful location.
The views will leave you awe-struck, and to see these spectacular sights, you can take your family/companions to any of the 17 viewpoints and get the perfect shot! You can also spot local fauna such as the Cantabrian chamois and birds of prey such as the golden eagle and bearded vulture that fly over the area.
The civilization that grows from the Picos de Europa is, as you might expect, closely linked to nature. Livestock and grazing serve as economic pillars, producing vast amounts of fodder and hay being stored for the winter season when the weather is much harsher.
As the Picos de Europa is closely related to the traditional activities, in 1994, the Shepherds of the Picos de Europa received the Exemplary People of Asturias Award for the importance of their activity and culture. This was given to reward the efforts of the shepherds to graze up to the highest peaks in summer and lower the cattle during the coldest months. They do so without altering the profile nor the natural habitat created in the Picos de Europa while also aiding in rescue work.
As you can see, this is a region that has done an excellent job of preserving its culture, which includes, of course, its gastronomy. There is a vast collection of recipes that combine the sea and the mountains, resulting in dishes like high-quality red meat, hake, and cheese, the king of products.
You must sample some of the region's most famous cheeses, such as Cabrales, Picón, and Gamonéu.
