AREA INFO
Picos de Europa is a National Park spanning through 3 regions of northern Spain: Asturias, Cantabria and León. Geographically located along the Cantabrian mountain range, the park encompasses three main rock massifs laden with impressive towering peaks: the central is called Urrieles, the Eastern is called Ándara and the Western, called Cornión. A deep, incredibly impressive gorge separates the Eastern and Western massifs and one of the most iconic walks in Picos de Europa - Ruta Cares (or Cares route) - follows a path along the gorge, starting in the tiny, quaint and isolated village of Caín.
The extremely rugged nature of the natural park means there aren’t any official roads in its centre so, in order to reach different parts of Picos de Europa by car, you need to drive away from its centre, around it through national and secondary roads and then back in towards the centre from another angle and region, taking hours to reach villages that otherwise would only be a few kms away from each other in a straight line! This also means that a few of its villages and areas have to be accessed by walking, specially built cable car or authorised 4x4 vehicles. The highest peak is Torre Cerredo at 2,650m high, located in the central massif of Urrieles, which is also the wildest and most rugged with more than 38 peaks above 2,500m!
Despite being the second most visited national park in the whole of Spain, only second to Teide National Park in Tenerife, its size, remoteness and protection laws make it a sanctuary to brown bears, Iberian lynx, wolves, vultures, golden eagles, ospreys, wild mountain goats, lizards and a diverse variety of endangered flowers and plants. This, truly, is a nature and mountain lover's heaven!
For The Mountain Bass Experience 2025, we will be focussing mainly on the Cantabrian region side. We will be based in the stretch between the areas of La Hermida and Fuente Dé, with bases in Espinama and Fuente Dé in the first 2 days, Espinama and Puertos de Áliva for the 2nd two days and one last night - to go out with a final bang! again - along the road from Espinama towards Santander. This area is also part of Liébana - one of the most historically defined areas of Cantabria, located in its southwest - which has an extremely rich culture, history and gastronomy well worth exploring!
Potes
​
Potes is the capital town of Liébana region and the only village in the Cantabrian side of Picos de Europa with most basic amenities. It is a quaint, medieval looking, stone built town spreading across two sides of the beautiful river Deva (which meanders through the impressive gorge you’ll be driving in through), presenting lovely old stone bridges connecting both sides. With only about 1,350 inhabitants, you can find a weekly outdoor market on Monday mornings, several local grocery shops, three mainstream supermarkets, pharmacies, two laundrettes, a health centre, a tourist information point, a library, as well as several shops, bars and restaurants of all kinds. If you have time, we strongly recommend spending a couple of hours exploring its streets, plazas and buildings while its gastronomy is “not to be missed”!
Espinama
​
Espinama is a tiny village of less than 90 inhabitants, just over 3kms down from Fuente Dé, which is, literally, a cul-de-sac at the end of the road leading to a massive rock face that emerges from the middle of nowhere! Espinama has several accommodation options, one independent bar, one supermarket, several restaurants and hotel bars as well as a shop selling local produce and traditional Liébana products. The nearest pharmacy is in Camaleño, about 12km down the road (about a 14min drive) and the nearest medical centre is in Potes, about 20kms away (or 22mins drive). The nearest ATM is also in Camaleño, next to the pharmacy. To commute between Espinama and Fuente Dé, you can drive, walk or get a bus. You can either walk along the road (with care and being responsible for your own safety, as there is no dedicated pedestrian walk) or take one of several variations of walking routes through fields and mountains.
Fuente Dé
​
Fuente Dé is the area where the road suddenly stops at a cul-de-sac and a stunning rock wall emerges vertically from the ground, welcoming you to the ruggedness of the towering peaks behind it! With nothing but the Teleférico (Cable Car), a large Parador (luxury hotel chain), a family run hotel (Hotel Rebeco) and a campsite, the only public facilities, aside from the 2 hotel bars and restaurants, are the Teleférico’s cafeteria, a tourist point/shop in the same complex and a large outdoor car park (max height 2.5m). You ask: “Why such a remote place with no facilities?”.... You’ll understand when you see it ;-)
BILBAO/ SANTANDER TO FUENTE DE MAP
