The drive from San Sebastian along the coast towards the Picos mountains was fantastic – a little reminiscent of the Great Ocean Road but also the Dandenongs in places – there were even stacks of eucalypts in the forests. Difficult to get photos as the road was narrow & winding around the cliffs overlooking the sea. The Picos are a short distance inland but look quite spectacular from our apartment in Carrena, a tiny village.
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| Picos mountains from Carrena |
Fog & rain greeted us this morning so decided on a drive instead of a walk. Drove to Poncebo, Sotres & Tresviso – all small villages set in the Picos mountains. The road & scenery is stunning & the fog adds a certain something. The village of Sotres was particularly beautiful – set high in the mountains with magnificent scenery all around, neat little streets & buildings. The town was busy with mountain walkers more resilient to the weather than us. Tresviso is literally at the end of the road – only one way in & out unless walking a high mountain trail.
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| Near Poncebos |
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| Sotres |
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| Anne enjoying the view from Sotres |
Tried the local dish of Fabada for dinner – white beans, blood sausage, chorizo & pork belly. OK but not amazing! A strange sight after dinner (about 9pm) we witnessed about 200 motor scooters riding through town with escort vehicles??
Today we decided to start with a longer walk ‘El Cares Throat’ (12kms each way). We were assured it was a good track, easy to find & not too steep. Headed off early up a well-made path with heaps of other walkers & the views were truly stunning – high jagged peaks with mountain goats scattered precariously on the rocky slopes & a deep valley. What they forgot to say was that the drops over the side were steep to vertical down into the valley below – should have guessed from the name of the walk! Unfortunately Mr “I’m scared of heights” found the going too scary & bailed out after just 3kms. We still got some great photos but the stress levels had peaked & I needed to stop.
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| Me on Cares walk |
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| Part of Cares walk I piked |
After a strong coffee back at the bottom we decided to head up to a little village called Bulnes via the Funicular – this one runs through a tunnel for 2.3kms rising 402 metres to the village nestled in a beautiful green valley between towering cliffs – an amazing location. The only other ways here are to walk or fly. We enjoyed lunch at the lookout over the village then had a beer/wine plus yummy cheesecake in the village. An eventful day that ended well with pork lomo & vino tinto for dinner.
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| Afternoon tea in Bulnes |
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| Bulnes |
Fog & rain again but not cold so headed for Lagos de Covadonga – 2 lakes perched at a little over 1,000 metres & surrounded by many higher peaks. Rain eased so headed out for a 5 km walk accompanied by the dulcet tones of the cow & goat bells - along one lake across the hill & back along the other lake. A rocky & slippery trail but no drop offs so I was happy. The scenery was again stunning & the fog drifted in & out throughout.
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| Covadonga Lake |
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| Covadonga Lake |
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| Beside Covadonga Lake |
On the drive out we spotted the impressive Covadonga Basilica & stopped to visit. They also have a cave of worship & it’s quite a significant religious site. Stopped for a platter of local cheese on the way back.
Delightful scenery and photos. Yes, those cliffs certainly are a challenge. Have memories of some interesting narrow roads with cliffs and deep valleys!
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