Page 114 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

112  NOR THERN SP AIN

q 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 (see p80) is made Covadonga
here. The Picos offer rock climbing and upland The Neo-Romanesque basilica, built
between 1877 and 1901, stands on
hiking as well as a profusion of flora and fauna. the site of Pelayo’s historic victory.
Tourism in the park is well organized.

Ribadesella
Cangas de Onis
Lago de la D
Ercina E
Together with S J
the nearby Lago I F Covadonga
Enol, this lake L J
lies on a wild A
limestone D L A G O
E E N O L
plateau above R O L A G O D E
L A E R C I N A
Covadonga and
below the peak D
of Peña Santa. Sella E
A R E
L
O
C • Cain
S
D E L
B
E
Y
N T A
O
S
A
G A R G
Posada de Valdeón •
Cares
J
Oseja de • •
Sajambre Puerto de
Panderruedas
Desfiladero de los Beyos J • Puerto de Pandetrave
This deep, narrow gorge with its high limestone cliffs winds •
spectacularly for 10 km (6 miles) through the mountains. Puerto del
Tracing the route of the Río Sella below, it carries the main Pontón
road from Cangas de Onís to Riaño. Riaño
KEY
1 Desfiladero del Río Cares is a of Naranjo de Bulnes and can now Key
deep gorge formed by the River be accessed by an underground
Cares in the heart of the Picos. funicular railway from Puente Major road
A dramatic footpath follows the Poncebos as well as by foot. Minor road
gorge, passing through tunnels 3 Naranjo de Bulnes, with its Footpath
and across high bridges up to tooth-like crest, is in the heart of National park boundary
1,000 m (3,280 ft) above the river. the massif. At 2,519 m (8,264 ft),
it is one of the highest summits
2 Bulnes, one of the remotest in the Picos de Europa.
villages in Spain, enjoys fine views
For keys to symbols see back flap
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