Its Asturian side (Covadonga Mountain) was the first National Park declared in Spain. The Picos de Europa are home to one of the largest limestone formations on the Atlantic continent. Its relief, shaped by karst, glacial, and fluvial processes, gives rise to chasms, gorges, lakes, and landscapes of great beauty. In the alpine areas, the jous, karst sinkholes that dot the landscape, are characteristic. When flooded, they serve as natural drinking places for wildlife, especially chamois, a true icon of the park. The park spans three autonomous communities and three mountain ranges that exceed 2.500 meters in altitude, and is also home to the highest peak in the Cantabrian mountain range: Torrecerredo, at 2.648 meters.
This area is home to more than 1.700 species of vascular flora and more than 200 species of vertebrates, including chamois, wolves, brown bears, and emblematic birds such as the bearded vulture, wallcreeper, and golden eagle. Its ecological diversity is complemented by strong cultural roots: livestock traditions, sheepfolds, rural architecture, and the production of artisanal cheeses with designation of origin.
The Asturian side of the Picos de Europa awaits visitors with some of the national park's most outstanding sites, such as the Lakes of Covadonga, the iconic Urriellu Peak, villages like Bulnes, Sotres, and Camarmeña, and the Saucedas de Buelles natural monument in the immediate vicinity. Its limestone depths house three subterranean monuments: the Jitu, Trave, and Torca Urriellu systems.
With spectacular trails, natural viewpoints, and a network of visitor centers, the Picos de Europa are a must-see destination for those seeking nature, history, and authenticity.
The best time to visit the Picos de Europa National Park and Biosphere Reserve is from spring to autumn, when the landscape reaches its peak and conditions are most favorable for enjoying the trails and viewpoints. In spring, the melting snow swells rivers and waterfalls, the alpine flora begins to bloom, and the wildlife is especially active. It is also a season marked by the rich sounds of the high mountains: the songs of larks and pipits in flight, the cries of red-billed and yellow-billed choughs, and the calls of dunnocks and buntings from the thickets create a true natural symphony.
Summer, with its mild temperatures, clear skies, and long daylight hours, makes it easy to reach the highest areas and undertake long hikes. It's the ideal time to observe butterflies, alpine flowers, high-altitude birds such as wallcreeper and alpine sparrow, and the majestic flight of raptors. In August and September, the jous host the surprising migratory passage of the golden plover.
Autumn is a season especially rich in nuances. The deciduous forests are tinged with ochre, yellow, and gold, creating a unique visual spectacle. From August on, migratory birds such as the meadow pipit, the wood warbler, the pied flycatcher, and the European honey buzzard also begin. And on the brink of winter, it is a spectacle to see the chamois' veil in the first snowfalls of the season in the higher areas of the Park.
The National Park offers endless possibilities for those seeking to enjoy nature in its purest form. Its extraordinary scenic beauty can be appreciated from natural viewpoints or along the trails, both at the entrances and within the protected area. The park is ideal for observing high-mountain birds, including such iconic species as the wallcreeper and the alpine sparrow.
But, without a doubt, the main attraction in the Picos de Europa National Park and Biosphere Reserve is the bearded vulture, whose reintroduction is accompanied by scientific ecotourism experiences that provide a close-up look at this conservation project. The Bearded Vulture Visitor Center in Benia de Onís is the starting point for routes focused on the recovery of the species and the importance of pastoral culture for the conservation of mountain biodiversity.
The alpine and rock flora is another of the park's great assets, with seasonal blooms that include various species of daffodils and other plants adapted to the harsh conditions of the high mountains. The park's three mountain ranges are bordered by spectacular gorges such as La Hermida, Cares, and Los Beyos, which combine nature, geology, and history.
Furthermore, places like Covadonga and Cangas de Onís provide a cultural and historical dimension that enriches the visit, making the park a space where biodiversity, landscape, and heritage coexist in harmony.
4 Natural Monuments:
In addition to the Saucedas de Buelles Natural Monument in Peñamellera Baja.
The Covadonga area is one of the most visited sites in the National Park, both for its natural beauty and its symbolic and cultural significance. The monumental complex of the Sanctuary of Covadonga is surrounded by a stunning mountain landscape, which continues to rise to the iconic Lakes of Covadonga (Enol and Ercina), accessible via a regulated transport system during peak season. The Vega de Enol or the trail that runs between the two lakes offer stunning views, especially from the Entrelagos viewpoint.
On the eastern slope, the village of Bulnes, accessible by funicular or on foot, allows you to immerse yourself in a spectacular landscape dominated by Picu Urriellu (Naranjo de Bulnes), one of Spain's most iconic mountains. At the foot of Bulnes, the Cares River runs, boxed in, making its way through the gorge from the lands of León on one of Europe's most popular hiking trails: the Cares Route. The views of Urriellu from Camarmeña, the Pedro Udaondo viewpoint, and the Pozo de la Oración (Prayer Well) complete a powerfully scenic experience.
Other places of interest include Hoya de San Vicente, a natural spot with crystal-clear green waters bathed by the Dobra River; the Cabrales Cheese Museum (DOP) in Las Arenas; and the huts and caves where Cabrales Cheese and Gamonéu Cheese (both blue cheeses with DOP) are aged.
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The Green Spain Ecotourism Reserve is an invitation to experience northern Spain in a different way. It's not a network of accommodations.
