The Picos de Europa National Park (named by the early northern European navigators during their voyages along the Cantabrian coast) is composed of three massifs: the Eastern or Andara, the Central or Urrielles, and the Western or Cornión. Its climate is unique, with frequent fog banks and high humidity due to its proximity to the sea (about 20 kilometers away).
Rain and snow are constants in winter months, but in June, we will surely find perpetual snow. The park’s topography features an exceptional landscape where high peaks alternate with deep gorges and canyons. The highest peaks are Torrecerredo (2,646 meters); Naranjo de Bulnes (2,519 meters); and Pico Tesorero (2,570 meters). The limestone formation of the Picos de Europa and its ecosystems, which include oak, ash, holly, and beech forests, as well as alpine meadows and pastures, led to its international recognition and inclusion in the European Union’s Habitats Directive, being part of the Natura 2000 network as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Site of Community Importance. On July 23, 2003, it was designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
Notable fauna in the Picos de Europa includes the capercaillie, a bird with a fragile habitat of mountain forests and heaths; the brown bear, highly endangered and living in the high hills and forests of the surrounding valleys; the Iberian wolf and the chamois, emblematic of the Picos de Europa National Park; and other resident species such as the griffon vulture, the golden eagle, and the black woodpecker.
The famous Covadonga Lakes are located in the western massif. The park is traversed by three rivers that cut through deep gorges: the Hermida Gorge, crossed by the Deva River; the Beyos Gorge, by the Sella River; and the “Garganta Divina” (Divine Gorge), by the Cares River. The park features various viewpoints from which its beauty can be admired. One of the most interesting is the Fuente Dé cable car, which allows visitors to ascend to over 1,800 meters.
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