Hut-to-Hut Trekking in the Picos de Europa

What a great week - pushed beyond my usual comfort zone but so ably and kindly supported by 3 fabulous guides especially Juanma. This was my first MBA trip and my first time to walk with a commercial trekking group - and it far exceeded my expectations. The communication and guidance prior to the walk was excellent - the guides highly skilled, very professional and so supportive. Despite my nervousness at times, I felt completely safe with their patient guidance and help. The huts were simple but clean and food was hearty and plentiful. The hotel and hostel accommodation was great - again well located, very comfortable and serving great food. Having never walked with a group entirely unknown to me before, I was a bit nervous about how we'd interact - but what a surprise it was to find we all jelled so well and shared so many laughs - a complete delight from beginning to end. And then there are the Picos - truly spectacular and what a great route chosen by MBA - a real adventure for any experienced walker. Thank you to MBA, to the guides, and to the very supportive group with whom I had the pleasure to experience such an unforgettable week.

Fabulous scenery, guides, weather on this very well organised trip.

As this type of multi-day trekking was a first for me, I was understandably a bit apprehensive despite already having hiking experience. However, I loved every moment, and the group I was with were great fun. It was challenging and rewarding getting to traverse the beautiful Picos de Europa. I was also impressed with the professionalism of the guides, particularly since the weather was much hotter than expected, and they had to manage varying levels of fitness in the group. Having a briefing before each hike really helped us to be prepared for the day ahead. Lastly, as a vegan, I was pleasantly surprised (in a good way) with the food options as well as the attentiveness by the guides (Juanma in particular) to my dietary needs. In sum, I would 100% recommend this hike but be prepared to put your body (and mind) to the test. It's worth it though.

I celebrated my 32nd birthday on day one of our five day hike through the Pics, and what a way to celebrate!

The Picos de Europa is a very special and lesser-know nation park within Northern Spain. We hardly saw anyone else on our journey through the peaks - at times it felt like we had the mountains and the mountain cattle to ourselves.

We were expertly guided through the mountains by our incredible guides Juanma, Juancho and our guide in training Jaime. They were all very knowledgeable and friendly, creating a welcoming and fun atmosphere for our trip.

I feel extremely lucky to have experienced my trip with such an excellent group of fellow hikers who made the trip even more special.

A note to other hikers booking this trip during the summer - our hike took us above the clouds for the entire journey so it was hot and in places quite technical. The days are as long as described, so cool clothing and sufficient water is a must.

Highly recommend this trip!

"Spain's Picos de Europa, where the mountains meet the sky and the locals know how to throw a fiesta. This rugged paradise was a culinary journey in itself - not just because of the tortilla española and jamón ibérico that fueled my trek, but because of the people I shared it with. You know who you are.

A big thank you to our lead guide and amigo Juanma, who knew these trails like the back of his hand - almost. He led us through ancient villages, where the smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the streets and the sound of laughter echoed off the stone walls. Juanco, our group's resident Costa Rican wild man, took us on detours that defied logic, but somehow always ended at the perfect spot for an impromptu picnic.

And then there was Jaime, the at first quiet one, who'd suddenly burst into ironic insults as we traversed some impossibly narrow ridge. His off-key warbling sent us all into stitches, and for a moment, the breathtaking views of the Cantabrian Mountains took a backseat to the absurdity of it all.

We hiked through valleys where the rivers flowed like liquid silver, and climbed peaks that left us gasping for air. But it was the people, the food, and the wine that made this journey truly unforgettable. We feasted on roast cabrito and drank rioja till the stars came out, comforted in the beautiful huts and b&bs we rested in.

This wasn't just a hike - it was an immersion into the culture, the landscape, and the sheer joy of being alive. If you ever find yourself in the Picos de Europa, seek out Juanma. He’ll take you on an adventure you'll never forget, and maybe even teach you a few Spanish phrases to boot.

¡Viva España! And viva these crazy, wonderful amigos of mine. "

I’d booked this trip 6 months ago and although excited I was also nervous, 1. Because I’m not used to going with a group and 2. I was worried about being slow. As it happened everyone had terrain they were better or worse at so I was both near the front and at the back at times. There was a lot of emphasis put on the second day. The second day ended up being my favourite but my background was climbing and mountaineering (albeit when I was young) so a few small rock steps, some scree slopes and some patches of snow was fine. Like others say it is a very long day though and the extra 5 minutes walking around the beautiful meadow of the next refugio right at the end nearly did us all in. We had good weather all week, sun and a bit of a breeze. Without the breeze the second day would be so much harder. Kit wise a silk sheet sleeping bag was the business as everywhere had duvets. A few people wished they had a sun shirt. There were crocs in the refuges but I took my own. I had obsessed over every gram and my knees thanked me for it. The food surpassed expectation especially as I’m vegetarian. There were always three courses. The packed lunches were reasonably big and breakfast was mainly bread, jam, tomato, coffee. I didn’t eat the snacks I took but it all depends on your appetite. The sleeping arrangements were challenging. I think it’s better if you go with someone in that respect as it’s hard to relax when you have a stranger on both sides, I was terrified that I was going to snore. It’s the one thing that it helps to be in front as you can bag the best position (on an end). I’ve thought a lot about the route, a couple of bits felt a bit contrived 1st and 3rd day, but that’s probably because I’m not a peak bagger. I don’t however think they could change anything as they are constrained by where the huts are. Refuges. Ist basic, best veggie stew, sleeping platforms. 2nd in an amazing meadow, showers with a view. 3rd fancier sleeping spots, incredible position (pictures don’t do it justice), great cooks/bar, compost loo. In all the week was amazing, the views breathtaking and the routes surprising. I was also lucky enough to be surrounded by some of the best human beings I’ve ever met, both guides and punters. Thank you to Juanma, Juancho and Jaime, all fun, caring and very good dancers!

Great trip very challenging

A stunning week in the mountains! The scenery was incredible and hiking at the end of the season we really felt like we had the Picos to ourselves. Our guides Ruth and Txetxu were fantastic in helping us through each section, especially with some difficult weather and high winds!

Worth noting it can be a bit, cold in October and we had to change the itinerary one day due to a storm so maybe bear in mind when booking. The autumnal weather meant we got changing leaves, crisp sunrises and quiet trails though!

Highly recommend for a real escape into the mountains!

Super grateful for both our guides Ruth and Txetxu - couldn't wish for more on my first mountain hike! Day 2 was the most difficult (and scariest for me, as a newbie), but I always felt supported and encouraged. The evening conversations at the hut next to the fireplace and at dinner made all the difference and put my mind at ease again :) I feel like this trip has changed me for the better - more than a month has passed since the trek and I still feel empowered, like I have gained wings. The views are absolutely stunning. I'm not saying goodbye, I left a piece of my heart in Picos de Europa and I definitely want to come back and explore more! :)

So grateful to our two guides. They really were very thoughtful and professional. They guided us successfully through some very challenging terrain. Taking time to talk to us about the local culture, landscape flora and fauna. Great group. Good accommodation and food (mountain refuges).

This was my first experience of Much Better Adventures, and it exceeded my expectations. It took me a while to land on which trip to book but really pleased I picked the hut-to-hut trekking in Picos de Europa.

Too much to praise but here are a few of my highlights:

The route was more challenging than expected. Day 2 was particularly tough and there were times where we were climbing over boulders or traversing across steep drops, but I personally loved the thrill!

It feels very remote. Minimal paths, no sign posts and you often wouldn't see anyone other than those in your group until you arrived at the mountain huts. This allowed me to completely switch off from normal life to enjoy my trip to the fullest.

Our guides were superb! Ernes and Txetxu were extremely knowledgeable, supportive and there was a great dynamic between them.

The mountain huts were a personal highlight. Basic but filled with charm. They were cosy, warm and had a great atmosphere. Nothing better than finishing a long walk with a glass of red wine and playing card games while watching the sun set in the mountains. The food was simple but can be likened to going round to your grandma's for tea.

I was also incredibly lucky to be joined with such a great group of people. I went as a solo traveller but our group formed a great bond. I laughed more in one week than I had in a year.

Thank you Much Better Adventures for the most incredible week. Wish I could do it all again!

It was an incredible trip filled with goodness, beauty, friendship, possibilities and reward. It was my first time with MBA and to have a trekking trip over 5 long days. did not know what to expect but our 2 amazing mountain guides/ leaders made everything possible, safe, fun, and pleasant. Ernes and Txetxu grew up in the local area. Their knowledge of the mountains, weather are profound. They are true leaders and shepherds. They made sure we were well looked after, no body was left behind, no body was with injuries that they did not know about. Brief us for the next day. with their professional attitude and passion for the mountains, we cannot help but love them and respect them so much.

the group I was in had a diversity of people ranging from different background, stages of life, physical strength and abilities. It was good fun and most important thing was everyone was supportive to each other. everyone looked out for each other!

weather was perfect! we were so blessed to have mostly sunny and dry days. Ernes and Txetxu kept a very close eye on the weather as in the last two days there was supposed to be storm. We were very blessed to have dodged both of them!

the refuges and huts (and the hotels as well!) were beyond my expectation! They were very well maintained, tidy, neat, clean. beds were very comfy. the rooms were warm enough so sleeping bag was not really needed. (I am a cold person so I had my fleece jacket on to sleep most nights). Ear plugs are highly recommended. two of the refuges/ huts have soap/ shampoo/ body wash for us to use. The shower place of the refuge in day 2 is an outdoor one which is quite an experience! Dinner provided from all the refuges and huts were amazing!! very hearty and tasty!! it's so worth the wait !!(dinner time was mostly 08:30pm!) We were told that breakfast was very basic so we could bring a bit more by ourselves if we want. I would say we all were quite happy with the bread, biscuits, little cakes and cereals, coffee, tea provided. Ernes and Txetxu took orders for our lunches everyday. the sandwiches were so good and portion was generous! in the lunch bag there was always a little bit more surprise like chocolates, sweets, nuts, apples, juice. Thank you so much for the staff in the refuges and huts!! without their hardwork we won't be able to finish our journey in such a good shape! ( for most refuges and huts, they do not have bins/ facility to keep our own rubbish. so it's handy to have a little bag to keep the rubbish and discard them when we can!)

There were not much technical parts. maybe 20% of the whole trek? There was a small amount of paths that was acceptably exposed. Some scrambling was involved in day 2 but nothing that Ernes and Txetxu could not get us through. Scenery was incredible!! There were plenty of rest/ breaks for us to sip water, eat snacks, lunch and admire the view!

After all, it's the people and the relationships we create give meaning and beauty to the experience. Ernes and Txetxu, their friends from the refuges, the group I was in made this place so special that it's not just another national park, not just another trek, but a glimpse of heaven on earth.

What made this trip fabulous can be split into two categories - landscapes and people, but it's really the people that made it possible to access and enjoy the landscapes as much as I did. Our guides were Ernesto and Txetxu. They had very different and enjoyable personalities, but both were at the core competent, knowledgeable and generous hosts with a tangible affection for the Picos de Europa. They shared their hiking tips and techniques, information about the landscape, flora and fauna we saw, and when my knee started hurting halfway through the week, even a knee brace to help me get through the rest of the trek. I reckon I've learned to be a better hiker from them. They communicated expectations for each day very well, so we always knew what we were getting into the night before. One variance between expectations based on the website vs. what Ernesto and Txetxu told us is that the second day was not 8hrs of hiking as suggested on the website, but more in the order of 10-11 hours. When they say it's the most challenging day, it absolutely is - the descent in particular is long and relentless; not to be underestimated! The rest of the hike was challenging, which I roughly expected going in, but manageable and I felt we were in very steady hands all the way through. On the last day of the trek there was a risk of thunderstorms, so the night before they walked us through the three possible routes we could take depending on the actual conditions. Where there was a more difficult or technical area involved, they helped get each member of the party through the area one by one, adjusting approach based on the person's experience and comfort levels. Since they were two of them, they would split up as needed so that the fast walkers could keep their pace without the slower walkers feeling rushed. It was very enjoyable hiking under their guidance.

The next set of people that made the trek possible were the people at the refuges and hostel along the way. A refuge is almost by definition a remote shelter operating with limited resources, so of course, it is not the kind of accommodation you would expect in places were there are roads, but they were each quite clean and well-maintained, with a cozy dining room where we were treated to some really delicious and warming homestyle cooking for each dinner that were just what we needed at the end of a long hiking day. As a Canadian, it was a bit was hard waiting until 8-8:30pm for dinner, but when the food came around, it felt like it was well worth it. My hat goes off to the people who maintain the network of refuges in the Picos and make it possible to spend days at a time exploring them while always knowing that the end of the day there's a warm meal and dry bed waiting for you. It's honestly pretty ingenious how they supply, power and manage the refuges, especially as they get more remote. They also put out a basic breakfast each morning (think bread, biscuits, preserves, coffee etc.) and for a fee will prepare a sandwich and/or picnic bag for the next day. For those who are not used to communal sleeping rooms, I highly recommend ear plugs. The kit list says to bring a 2/3 season sleeping bag, but our guides indicated that a sleeping bag liner would be enough - this proved to be the case. Each refuge provides a duvet and pillow with pillowcase, but not all have the resources to change the fitted sheets regularly, hence the sleeping bag liner/hostel sheet to maintain hygiene.

Finally, there was the hiking group! I met really lovely people on this trip. It was an experience we were going through together, and the encouragement, teasing and heart-to-hearts among us made the trek so enjoyable. I reckon we each had areas where we benefited from the support and help from the others on the trip and I truly appreciated the company I had and the help I received on this adventure. I hope to meet my hiking buddies again!

All of these people brought me to the Picos themselves, and they are stunning. The pictures give you a sense, but to experience their scale when looking out from the side of a mountain, or to look back and see all the kilometers you've trekked over the course of a morning is really special and can't quite be conveyed in pictures or words. The trail could be steep, it could be difficult, it could make me nervous at times, but one step after another, I am very happy to have walked it.

I’d dearly love to sit here and tell you we had all the ingredients for a great experience. We had lovely tour guides, a diverse and positive attitude group, all the gear needed and no delays or issues - the weather on the other hand, had other ideas. A relentless barrage of mist and rain for 4 straight days meaning you could see 100 yards ahead at best, but not even close enough to marvel at the majesty of the Picos. We all made jokes and made the best of it, but in truth it really “dampened” (excuse the pun) what could have been a super trip.

On a positive note, the sun came out on the last day and allowed for a bevvy of photos we’d been holding out for. Dario and Sergio were attentive and friendly and considering the language barrier did their absolute best to effectively communicate and look after all involved.

If you like hiking craggy terrain and overcoming some technical tracks with jagged sandstone and granite everywhere around then you won’t be disappointed, and is very fun giving you that sense of achievement when you arrived at the refugios. Personally I wouldn’t agree with the “Challenging” rating given in terms of difficulty. I have done the Tour Du Mont Blanc and that was more challenging and warrants the title I’d say.

In summary, the guides were great, the company was a pleasure, food was enough in some parts but other refugios offered nothing more than a slice of bread for breakfast, but the mountains and viewpoints.. well, if you get a bad bout of weather 80% of the trip, then your only act of solace is to enjoy the photos of the mountains on here and the few in your phone gallery.

We were well taken care of every step of the way by our excellent guides! We had mostly bad weather the first week of September but it got better towards the end and we had incredible views. Apart from the first refugio, which needs work in both the accommodation and the food, both were excellent. I suggest taking a protein source for breakfasts! I loved every minute of it, I met some very interesting and nice people which was great as I went by myself.

What an amazing experience! From the start, till the end, you'll not be disappointed. The views are stunning and the the walk is equal parts challenging and pleasant. A big word of thanks to Dario and Sergio- they were always on the lookout, fun around dinners and always there to answer questions. Overall, I'm a very happy customer

The views on this trek are stunning! Unfortunately we have had a mix weather .. still the experience was incredible. You need to be prepared to eat a lot of cheese and ham.

Dario and Sergio were awesome guides and made sure we knew about the day well in advance. They could not control the weather, but did a fantastic job of keeping everything light and fun through the rain and snow (on the 5th day of September). We had a great group we hiked with - funny, flexible and willing to roll with any situation. This was my first group hike and I had a blast. Will definitely do it again and highly recommend this company!

The scenery is just breathtaking. So much variety and guides that are very knowledgeable of the area and technical.I felt safe and appropriately challenged throughout. I appreciate how MBA takes you to special places in the world that even some locals haven't been. It was a lifetime wish to do a hut to hut, and while the huts may have been more magical in my mind, the treking was better than imaginable.

Fully recommend! Great group, and great guides. Both very knowledgeable and very personable. The itinerary was very well thought out, from the logistics to food; no stress at all! The hikes were not overly difficult or technical, so most people should find this tour accessible. Thanks Txetxu and Midori for a fantastic time 😊 (p.s the sunsets are out of this world!)

The Picos trip was well organised and well led- the leaders communicated with participants clearly and were knowledgeable about the Picos, nature in the area and local culture and were fun to be with too. Unexpected issues or surprises were dealt with quickly and efficiently. The trek was really challenging, scenery and views exceptional.

Adrenaline-raising, breathtaking mountain hiking with excellent guides

This is a superb taster experience of the Picos de Europas with the hikes taking you through ancient lowland forests, alpine meadows and the high mountains and staying at some beautiful refuges with fantastic views. A great trip!

This trip was challenging, for sure, physically for me, and of other people's patience, perhaps, while they waited for me, but what a privilege to be among the more capable backpackers of our group, that is to say, every other person. My family of four signed up for this trek knowing we were each coming in with very different abilities and that many others in the group may have sought out the same trek specifically because they were solo travelers. The truth is our group of four was more often two solo travelers (son, 18, the youngest group member, leading the way, and his middle-aged mother pulling up the rear, always) and a pair (father and daughter, 20, somewhere in the middle), and I watched with so much joy from the far back as my young adult children spent their time interacting with fellow hikers from other parts of the world and stages in life. I would like to do this same trek again, solo even, stronger and faster (but truly, not as fast as the others did, because I would hate to miss the small details along the way, most especially the wildflowers mid June), and as a family, we keep sending each other descriptions of other trips we would like to take with Much Better Adventures. I trust Much Better Adventures to find the very best local guides because there simply is no better experience I can imagine than the one we had with Irene and Alejandro (June 16-22, 2024). All four of us feel this way, and I especially do, with so much thanks for the individualized care they took of me so that I could complete the trek with my family.

Great trip with fabulous, fun guides, Irene & Mai and group hikers. Irene is so knowledgeable and passionate about the Pico's de Europa, got to learn a lot about the area. Any challenges you face along the way are definitely worth it and rewarded with breath taking views! The trails were less travelled than TMB, which I prefer, highly recommend!

A fantastic week with some great people, and 2 brilliant guides (Ernesto and Sergio).

The scenery was beautiful and the mountain refuges were great rest spots. Days tended to be between 10-15km, and were walked at a manageable pace. If anything, I’d have liked the walks to have been slightly longer but they were certainly challenging enough!

This was my first MBA holiday and I’m already planning my next one, highly recommend this route to anyone thinking about it.

Hiking through the Picos was spectacular with Irene and Alejandro as guides. We joined the trek as a family of four (ages 18-50) and loved the group dynamic with our other hikers. The difficulty level (challenging) was accurate, but all finished the trek thanks to our patient guides. Even on the more difficult days, there was ample time to relax and unwind at the refugios, which were each unique and charming, even when creature comforts were lacking. The experience overall was wonderful: the scenery is spectacular, Irene and Alejandro made the trek smooth even when we had to contend with bad weather or slow hikers, and the dinners were always a highlight. Would definitely recommend this Picos trek for an active vacation in a less visited corner of Spain!

Irene and Alejandro were pretty dope. Would do again if i can manage to get the same or just as fun guides in a just as beautiful location.

The Picos de Europa are exceedingly beautiful in June, this could be anticipated, as could both the highly efficient organisation by MBA (and the local provider) and the challenge of the walking. What could not have been known was just how wonderful the mountain guides would be, not just in the technical sense, but as interesting, caring and charming people. The forecast was for bad weather on the middle days of our trip, and they expertly managed the route and our expectation so we remained safe and largely dry whilst missing as little as possible from the original itinerary. Similarly they accommodated the varying strength of the walkers in our group expertly so the extensions were available for the stronger walkers yet the cohesiveness of the group was always maintained. This was my first experience of Hut to Hut Trekking and initially I found sleeping a little tricky, however by the end of the trip this had been overcome. It was a great experience