Fuente Dé – Hotel-Refuge Avila Circular

Jim Arymar

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We begin by taking the teleferico up into the mountains from Fuente Dé (see additional information). We begin at an altitude of 1,870m at the same point that mountain challenge Walk 6121 starts. Apart from three relatively minor ascents our way will be downwards, finishing back at Fuente Dé at 1,000m. We follow clearly defined paths that are extremely well-signed with yellow and white bar marks and fingerposts. This walk is PR PNPE 24. It is hard to describe the majestic mountain scenery in the first part of the hike and the hotel-refuge at Avila is the most amazing place, offering every facility. What a place to rest awhile. Later on we join a more difficult footpath that takes us steeply down and the latter part of the hike is through shady beech-woods all the way back to the start at Fuent Dé.

Spain - North West Spain - Cantabria - Picos de Europa

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Mountains, Restaurant, River, Wildlife, Woodland
9/18/2018 - Graeme Hurry

This has to be my stand out walk of our holiday. Absolutely stunning from start to end. Wonderful start via the cable car (tickets are now 11 euro single, 17 euro return. Car park is free) to the mountain station. The ride is short but dramatic, towards the end of the ride you look up and wonder how does a cable car climbs vertically, but it does! Before setting off do take in the panoramic views, they are awesome. Vultures circling, choughs competing for food from the visitors. You start off by walking out of the valley and leaving behind the majority of those that rode the cable car. The path is loose stone and gently descends most of the time. Without repeating the directions the stand out points are the views, the chalet occasionally used by the Spanish Royal family and just how accessible it is! The hotel is just sat there. I now regret we didn't dine there, must return! Having passed the hotel the route continues its descent. Cattle start to appear and there is a lovely background sound of their bells. Once through the 'gates' the path changes in nature and walking boots certainly show their worth. Directions are good and unambiguous, but be aware the last GPS waypoint is about a mile short of the end of the walk, but the route is obvious. The author's warning about weather is to be observed. This environment could very quickly turn nasty on you. Do note the weather forecast in advance, do wear suited footwear, do carry water and energy bars. Make sure you have your map (the one with the walk is fine). Our GPS held signal the whole route and both our phones had signal every time we looked at them, but don't take that for granted. Don't let the last paragraph put you off. If you are of reasonable fitness and only do one walk on your holiday make it this one.