Page 106 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

104  NOR THERN SP AIN REGION B Y REGION

y Parque Nacional de los Picos de Europa

These beautiful mountains were reputedly christened
the “Peaks of Europe” by returning sailors for whom
this was often the first sight of their homeland. The
range straddles three regions – Asturias, Cantabria
and Castilla y León – and has diverse terrain. In some
parts, deep winding gorges cut through craggy rocks
while elsewhere verdant valleys support orchards and
dairy farming. The celebrated creamy blue cheese,
cabrales, is made here. The Picos offer rock climbing
and upland hiking as well as a profusion of flora and Covadonga
fauna. Tourism in the park is well organized. The Neo-Romanesque basilica, built
between 1886 and 1901, stands on
the site of Pelayo’s historic victory.

Ribadesella Cangas de Onis
Lago de la
Ercina J
Together with Covadonga
the nearby Lago
Enol, this lake J
lies on a wild Sames
limestone plateau Lago Enol Lago de
above Covadonga La Ercina
Garganta del Cares
and below the
peak of Peña Santa. Desfiladero de Los Beyos
Sella

Cain

Posada de
Valdeón
Cares
J
Oseja de
Sajambre Puerto de
Desfiladero de los Beyos Panderruedas
This deep, narrow gorge with its high limestone cliffs J Puerto de
winds spectacularly for 10 km (6 miles) through the Pandetrave
mountains. Tracing the course of the Río Sella below, Puerto de
it carries the main road from Cangas de Onís to Riaño. Pontón
Riaño
Key
KEY
Major road
1 Bulnes, one of the remotest Minor road
villages in Spain, enjoys fine views
of Naranjo de Bulnes and can be Footpath
accessed on foot, and now also National park boundary
by funicular railway up through a
tunnel from Puente Poncebos. Desfiladero del Río Cares
2 Naranjo de Bulnes, with its The Río Cares forms a deep
tooth-like crest, is in the heart of gorge in the heart of the Picos.
the massif. At 2,519 m (8,264 ft) it is A dramatic footpath follows the
one of the highest summits in the gorge, passing through tunnels
Picos de Europa. and across high bridges up to
1,000 m (3,280 ft) above the river.
For hotels and restaurants see pp204–5 and pp217–19

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