Where Next: El Anillo de Picos, Northern Spain

Third time lucky?

Destination: The Picos de Europa, Northern Spain.

When: September 2022.

What: Steffi, Hazel, Rachel and I head to Northern Spain to walk El Anillo de Picos.

How: With Alfonso Gallego de Lerma who was our excellent guide / leader on Exodus’ Picos de Europa trip Hazel, Steffi and I did in July 2019.

Why: Our 2019 trip introduced us to the mountains of Northern Spain and this time we’ll get to spend a long week in the Picos de Europa proper, hiking in and around the three massifs.

We will be staying in refugios and carrying “everything” with us.  That shouldn’t be as dramatic as it sounds – we are used to carrying wet weather gear and warm layers plus lunch and water in our day packs and will only need a sheet sleeping bag for the refugios which will also provide all our meals. I for one am not renowned for my vast wardrobe when I’m walking …. Plus we will have clean clothes to enjoy once we’ve competed El Anillo.

Itinerary: Eight days trekking with a spot of R&R on the coast at the end:

Day 1: Fly to Bilbao. Travel to Arenas de Calabres.
Days 2 to 9: Trek El Anillo de Picos.
Day 10: Day in Llanes.
Day 11: Travel to Bilbao. Fly to London

We’ve booked flights (EasyJet / vueling) and Alfonso will be booking hotels and the refugios.

Let’s hope COVID plays ball. Oh, thanks Omicron.