PICOS DE EUROPA NATIONAL PARK


It was the first established spanish National Park (in 1918 naming Covadonga National Park). It lies half in the Province of Asturias and in León and Cantabria and occupies the region of the Picos de Europa massif. Apart from the grandeur and spectacular beauty of its forests and mountains, it has great historical significance. Among the rocks and crags which are today the Picos de Europa National Park the first lines of the history of the protracted Re-conquest of Spain were written. Since the 8th C, the name Don Pelayo and Covadonga Cave have found a permanent place in Spanish history.

The National Park has an area of 64,660 ha and includes a series of peaks which are over 2,400 metres high. Especially noteworthy are two lakes of glacial origin: Enol and Ercina, which are popularly known as the "Covadonga lakes" and can be reached by road.

The beech tree is the most important specie and grows between 800 and 1,500 metres covering the slopes of the mountains. Huge, majestic chestnut trees are found in the lower valleys. Three species of oak grow there and the yew tree hides in the deepest valleys and shadiest places. In the beech forests, holly grows everywhere, a bush of great importance for the survival of animal species in harsh winters because it provides them with food and shelter in these deciduous forests.

Occasionally, the bear passes through the Park the same as the wolf, which has been expelled from other areas. The lord and master of these historical rocks as well as the most numerous specie is the chamois. The capercaillie has its display areas on the northern side of these mountains, and the forests are alive not only with stoat and wild cat, but with squirrel, dormouse and goshawk. 

There are plenty of foxes, while the otter keeps to the rivers where it finds various kinds of trout and small salmon, which are the most abundant fish specie in these cold, turbulent rivers.

How to reach the Park

The National Park is reached by road from several places.

From Oviedo, by following the N-634 as far as Arriondas (67Km) and Cangas de Onis by following N-625 road (which can also be reached from Riaño by travelling on this road across El Pontón Pass). From Cangas de Onis in Asturias (this town has a visitors' centre) a surfaced road leads to Covadonga Monastery in the western part of the National Park and from there to the lakes.

From Riaño (León), two spectacular roads must be taken; one of them goes across the Pontón Pass (N-625) to Posada de Valdeón and Oseja de Sajambre; the N-621 goes across the San Glorio pass to Potes and Fuente De (Cantabria).

From Santander, the Park is reached after passing through San Vicente de la Barquera and Unquera and skirting the Deva river on the N-621.

Advice of interest to visitors

  • The Park has several entrances, the most convenient being at Cangas de Onís, Benia de Onís and Arenas de Cabrales (Asturias); Potes (Santander), and Oseja de Sajambre and Posada de Valdeón (León).
  • Access to the park is free and visit can be guided or unguided. The park´s offices supply suggested routes.
  • This is one of the Spanish parks with the largest number of visitors because it is a historic as well as religious site. Inside the park, in Asturias province, there is a sanctuary.
  • There are a direct roads to Lakes Enol and Ercina (here there is an interpretative centre) in Asturias, to Cain and Soto de Sajambre (León), and to Fuente De cable-car in Cantabria. These areas are especially affected by human presence, and special care should be taken to keep it clean.
  • There is a Parador near Cangas de Onís ("San Pedro de Villanueva Monastery") and other one in Fuen De.
  • The park is to be visited on foot which makes stout footwear most advisable. In winter, it is dangerous to visit the mountains without a climbing party and mountaineering equipment.
  • The best time of the year for a visit is the summer or the beginning of autumn. Since it usually rains a lot, it is advisable to enter the park with protective clothing and legged boots.
  • A good mountaineering shoes, a pair of binoculars and a camera should be part of the visitor's equipment.
  • September 8th is the Day of the Virgin of Covadonga with the corresponding festive religious excursion or "romería".

National Parks are exceptional areas of the Spanish nature heritage where the environment is protected and visits are possible for everybody's enlightenment.

For full details on the Spanish National Parks (services, towns, hotels, adventure, maps, etc.), please look under "Parques Nacionales" at the website:
http://www.parquesnaturales.com (spanish only)