Before starting the route, it's advisable to research the trail, its difficulty, points of interest, and potential hazards. Many questions arise regarding this unique route, especially concerning how to return once the hike is complete . We've compiled a list of frequently asked questions to address the most common queries we receive from travelers and hikers.
Is the Cares Route circular?
The Cares Route is not circular , so we will have to do a complete round trip on the same path, or consider turning around before finishing the route if our physical condition does not allow us to do the double journey.
Can you get from Poncebos to Caín by car?
From Caín to Poncebos: the essential road trip to connect the two ends of the Cares Route.
Although Caín and Poncebos are separated by just 12 kilometers on foot, linked by the mythical Cares Route that winds through gorges and tunnels dug into the rock, The road trip between these two Astur-Leonese towns is a very different story.To cover the same distance by car, it is necessary to give a large detour that borders the mountain range to the south, crossing high mountain landscapes, deep valleys and several regions of two autonomous communities.
The drive between Caín (province of León) and Poncebos (municipality of Cabrales, Asturias) is approximately 100 to 120 kilometers , depending on the exact route taken. Under normal conditions, the journey takes between 2 hours and 20 minutes and 2 hours and 50 minutes , although it can easily take longer if you make stops or if there is traffic on narrow sections of road.
Route 1: from Caín via Riaño, Potes and Panes to Poncebos
- Cain's departure towards Valdeon Inn, along a very narrow and winding mountain road, which ascends through the Pandetrave pass.
- From there, it connects with the N-621 towards Riaño, bordering the reservoir and crossing spectacular landscapes of the Montaña de Riaño and Mampodre Regional Park.
- In Riaño take the road towards Puerto de San Glorio, a key point for crossing into Cantabria through the mountain pass.
- Once past San Glorio, goes down towards Potes and from there you can access the La Hermida gorge, which leads to Panes.
- From Panes take the AS-114 towards Arenas de Cabrales, and later the AS-264 to Poncebos.
Itinerary summary :
- Estimated total distance: 121 km
- Approximate duration: 2h 50 min
- Type of road: mountain, with narrow sections and many curves.
Route 2: from Caín via Oseja de Sajambre and Cangas de Onís towards Poncebos
- Cain's Exit address Posada de Valdeón along a very narrow and winding mountain road.
- We continue through the LE-2711 and the N-625 towards Oseja de Sajambre, it is 26 km.
- We go down the Puerto del Pontón towards Cangas de Onis.
- We follow the route from Cangas de Onís to Arenas de Cabrales along the AS-114, passing through Benia de Onís.
- From Arenas de Cabrales we take AS-264 and in about 6 km we will have arrived at Poncebos.
Itinerary summary :
- Estimated total distance: 105 km
- Approximate duration: 2h 20 min
- Type of road: mountain, with narrow sections and many curves.
Why all the driving?
The reason for this apparent contradiction—short distance on foot, long by car—lies in the rugged terrain of the Picos de Europa , one of the steepest mountain ranges on the Iberian Peninsula. There is no direct road through the heart of the central massif , where the Cares Route is located, forcing a detour that skirts the Picos to the south and west.
What options do I have if I do the Cares Route one way?
If you're doing the route walking one way (from Poncebos to Caín or vice versa), there are several options for organizing your return:
- Take two cars and leave one at each end.
- Hire a taxi or private transfer, especially if you're traveling in a group. It's a good idea to book in advance.
- Sleep in one of the two villages and return on foot the next day.
How to get from Caín to Poncebos by public transport?
There is no direct public transport between Caín and Poncebos.. Yes, we could take several buses by transferring.
While there is no direct connection, you can take a bus from Caín to a nearby point like Unquera and then take another bus to Poncebos, but this can be time-consuming and quite complicated.
How much does a taxi cost from Caín to Poncebos or vice versa?
Taxis are available for the Caín-Poncebos and Poncebos-Caín route, though they are few and always require prior booking. Prices start at around €160 per vehicle, depending on the season and demand.
What is the most beautiful part of the Cares Route?
Without hesitation, we would say that the most beautiful section is the one that runs near Cain , because of the landscape itself, the sections of tunnels, the passageways and bridges built give a great spectacular quality to the route in that area.
To learn more about the Cares Route, we invite you to read our report, where we explain how it transformed from a shepherd's path into a popular route, and how things changed in 1916 when a winding trail was marked out so that workers from the Electra de Viesgo company could monitor and maintain a water channel. This channel carried part of the Cares River's flow for hydroelectric power generation at the Camarmeña Power Plant. Many interesting things can be found at the link below.
The Cares route
Following the course of the Cares River in its upper reaches means venturing into a limestone gorge of … Read more
