{"id":58557,"date":"2026-03-11T18:14:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T15:14:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/ruta-del-cares\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T18:14:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T15:14:17","slug":"ruta-del-cares","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/en\/ruta-del-cares\/","title":{"rendered":"Ruta-del-Cares \u2013 the most beautiful hike in the Picos de Europa mountains"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ruta-del-Cares<\/strong> is one of the most famous hiking trails in the Picos de Europa National Park, between Asturias and Le\u00f3n. This breathtaking trail, which includes paths carved into the rock, bridges, and caves, runs through the Cares River Gorge, known as the Divine Gorge<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hike, which is twelve kilometers one way, takes about three to four hours<\/strong>. It is practically flat, only from Poncebos there is a sharp elevation change of 300 meters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can enjoy stunning views along the entire route.<\/strong> If you look up, you’ll see the peaks of the Picos de Europa<\/strong>, and if you look down, you’ll see the Cares River flowing along the entire path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My journey through Picos de Europa National Park<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Ruta-del-Cares was not created for tourists<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Ruta-del-Cares<\/strong><\/strong> is one of the most popular hiking trails in Spain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This mountain trail was once intended not for hikers, but rather to create a connection between the villages of Ca\u00edn, Posada de Valde\u00f3n (Le\u00f3n), and Poncebos (Asturias)<\/strong>. It does not have a steep slope, but the dangers are unpredictable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ruta-del-Cares<\/strong><\/strong> was opened between 1945 and 1950 so that workers of the hydroelectric power plant Camarmena<\/strong> had access to the water channels that reach the Ca\u00edn dam (Le\u00f3n), built between 1916 and 1921.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was a complex project, involving more than 45 people. The road is cut into the rock, 50\u201360 meters above the Cares River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The topography also led to its nickname \u2013 The Divine Cares Gorge. To move from one cliff to another, across the waters of the river, apart from bridges, about 73 tunnels had to be dug, many of which are concentrated between the second section of the trail and the last kilometer before reaching the village of Ca\u00edn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a mountain route, and if the weather is bad it can be very challenging. Water can carry stones away, and above you there may also be livestock that may dislodge rocks. After the fires in the summer of 2025, the rocks above the path have become unstable, and as a result, rockfalls have become more frequent. Because of this, the trail was partially closed. Now it can only be walked (September 2025) either from the Poncebos side (3 km) or from the Ca\u00edn side (up to 2 km).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When is the best time to hike Ruta-del-Cares<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The best time of year to visit is spring and autumn.<\/strong> Keep in mind that you are in high mountains, and at this time of year the weather is better, and the colors of nature are more impressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summer, during holidays, it is crowded here, and if you want to park properly, it is best to arrive by 9 a.m.<\/strong> In summer, the heat and lack of shade increase the risk of narrow passages. The trail is more dangerous due to crowds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s best to start early in the morning, and when taking photographs, it’s better to stop and not get too close to the edge<\/strong>. Here, unlike the well-known Caminito del Rey trail, there are no handrails or fence by the cliff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I recommend reading: Caminito del Rey \u2013 My own experience of independently hiking the King’s Path<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Technical features of Ruta-del-Cares trail<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n