Anillo de Picos

The Anillo de Picos is the multi-day ring traverse of Spain's Picos de Europa — the limestone massif rising directly from the Atlantic coast of Cantabria and Asturias, one of the rawest mountain landscapes in Western Europe. The classic 5-day loop covers around 75 km with 6,500 m of cumulative climb, refuge-to-refuge, through the heart of the Central Massif with the iconic Naranjo de Bulnes (Picu Urriellu, 2,519 m) as the centrepiece.

The route is conventionally walked clockwise from Puente Poncebos (the Cares Gorge trailhead). Day 1 climbs the steep zigzag path through Bulnes village to Vega de Urriellu, the meadow camp directly beneath the Naranjo's 500 m vertical face — one of the most photographed mountain views in Spain. Day 2 traverses scree and limestone gendarmes to Refugio de Cabrones at 2,040 m, deep in the moonscape of the Central Massif. Day 3 drops to Áliva on the southern side; Day 4 climbs back over the famous Horcados Rojos pass and crosses west to Collado Jermoso. Day 5 descends the dramatic Asotín valley back to Bulnes and the funicular down to Poncebos.

The walking season is mid-June to mid-September when the refuges are staffed. Refugios in the Picos are basic — dormitories of 30-50 beds with half-board for €40-55. Book ahead in July–August through the FEDME (Spanish federation) booking site. The trail is well-marked with paint blazes and cairns but route-finding in the central limestone karst can be tricky in mist — bring a 1:25,000 map. Bulnes itself can only be reached on foot or by the 2001-opened funicular tunnel — there's no road. Most parties stay one extra night in the trail town of Potes or Arenas de Cabrales before/after.