The path that runs through the Cares River gorge is the most spectacular and well-known hiking route in the Principality of Asturias. It is undoubtedly the most traveled of all the Picos de Europa and, according to numerous statistics, it is also about the busiest mountain route in Spain. It is not lacking in incentives to be a powerful magnet for nature lovers from all over the world; equates its spectacularity and beauty to the ease of its route and in recent times they have been counted more than 200.000 walkers per year.
How was the Garganta del Cares formed?
Without a minimum Historical facts It is difficult to understand how it is possible for a road of so many kilometers to cross the mountain in such a daring way, and we wonder who undertook this project and for what. Even if the first crossing of the Cares was carried out by meritorious mountaineers such as the English Abel Chapman and Walter J. Buck, together with the Marquis of Villaviciosa, Pedro Pidal, the popularization of the route would not arrive until well into the twentieth century and after certain works that enabled the path for the transit of any person.
The oldest route it had a significantly different layout than the current one. Initially It was exclusively for pastoral use and only after 1916 did things changeThis was the year in which a winding and precarious path began to be delimited so that the workers of the Electra de Viesgo company could monitor and maintain a water channel, a channel that transported part of the flow of the Cares for its hydroelectric use in the Camarmeña Power Plant.
The construction of this power plant required the minimal widening of a footpath with continuous ascents and descents, from the Caín dam to Camarmeña. At that time, it took about seven hours to travel from Poncebos to Caín. Later, the newly created path was used to transport agricultural products from Caín to the markets of Cabrales, and only in the 40-50 years the current path was built to improve the maintenance of the canal. The route was opened with pickaxes and dynamite.
Over time this route became a tourist attraction of the area. It is also known as the Divine Throat, given its spectacular nature, and offers its walkers privileged images along twelve kilometers that mark the division between the Western Massif of the Peaks, or of the Cornión, and the Central Massif or of the Urrieles.
Looking upwards, we see that the Cares Route is also the starting point for numerous gullies that run along the steep slopes of the two massifs it divides. The Mesones gully to the west, and the Dobresengros gully to the central massif, are two clear examples. Furthermore, the highest peak in the Picos de Europa, Torre Cerredo, drops vertically into the Cares River, further shaping its dizzying canyon.
What is the best time of year to do the Ruta del Cares?
To our understanding it is better to do it in months like May, June or September, thus avoiding the large number of hikers that we will find if we do it in July or August.
Choosing any date other than peak season is more rewarding if we are looking for the intimacy of the mountains and less heat. With sneakers or light boots and a backpack containing the essentials (including a raincoat, just in case), the route can be undertaken on any date between May and October that the weather permits, so it's just a matter of choosing a suitable day for walking.
What to bring to do the Ruta del Cares?
It is advisable to wear water and comfortable shoes mountain boot type; in summer you have to be careful with the sun, we can take hat and sunscreen. It is also advisable to bring warm clothes in case we are surprised by rain or a storm. * Remember that the canal water is not drinkable. Of course do not forget the camera because the views are really spectacular.
How is it better to do the Cares route?
This hiking trail has its development in the Central Massif of the Picos de Europa, between the provinces of Asturias and León. The true Ruta del Cares begins in Poncebos (Asturias) and ends in Posada de Valdeón (León) or vice versa, but due to its long duration, 21 kilometersThis route option can only be undertaken if a car is going to pick us up at our arrival point.
*** To get to Poncebos we will take the AS-114 as it passes through Arenas de Cabrales. There is clear signage.
Map, tips, how to get there... to the Cares route
We have prepared a new report with lots of tips and advice, as there are many questions about how to complete the route. There are many questions about how to return once you've covered the 12 kilometers in one direction, so we've shared all the information you need. We've left the link below.
Cares Route: map, directions, and tips
Hiking the Cares Route is to be swept away by one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Picos de Europa mountains… Read more
Where to leave the car to do the Cares route?
Due to the large number of hikers in the entire area, access to Poncebos has been regulated. have been enabled parking areas in Arenas de Cabrales and in this town there bus shuttles to get closer to the start of the Cares route, to take the funicular to Bulnes or travel by minibus to the towns of Tielve or Sotres. You have all the information in the link below. ***It is very important take into account all these indications***.
Cares Route transport plan 2026
This year 2026, in order to avoid traffic jams and offer an alternative to the many... Read more
Posada de Valdeón - Poncebos Route
· From Posada de Valdeón it will take between 5 or 6 hours to get to Poncebos. Once in the town we follow the road to Cordiñanes; past this village we find the Mirador del Tombo, with a sculpture of the most emblematic species of the Picos, the chamois. The road continues parallel to the Cares River, and shortly after, passing the Chorco de los Lobos, we cross the Corona sheepfold, to reach the people of Cain.
After the bridge over the dam, once past Caín, the path narrows, as the walls of the two massifs already form the true gorge. Several tunnels carved into the rock lead us to the Rebecos Bridge and the Bolín BridgeFrom here, we can see the Cares River flowing deep within the gorge. The path continues, and we leave behind the small mountain pasture of Culiembro, where the gully of the same name begins. A steep climb then takes us high above to the Ostón mountain pastures in the Cornión massif. The trail continues alongside the river, and after a slight incline, it brings us to the end of the route in Poncebos.
Poncebos Caín Route
From Poncebos to Caín. This is the journey that is normally made. They are 12 kilometers one way and another 12 back. The time is similar to that used in the detailed option from Posada de Valdeón, but in this case we do not have the inconvenience of a third party coming to pick us up at the destination. We can leave the car in Poncebos and pick it up again at the same point after returning from Caín.
The route can take us between 3 and 4 hours in a sense and a similar time on the return. The difficulty level is low and the elevation gain is about 700 meters. After passing through the village of Poncebos, a few meters further on the road turns into a gravel track and a sign indicates the start of the Cares Trail with the legend "Caín 3 h, Posada de Valdeón 6 h". The first 2,5 kilometers are perhaps the toughest, a continuous uphill climb with a moderate incline until reaching the ruins of a house and a tree (the first shade for many meters).
Shortly afterwards we arrived at The Collaos, point at which a slight descent begins until finding the path carved in the rock next to the channel. From here the difference is almost non-existent. After five kilometers we reached the sheepfold of Culiembro, from where the channel of the same name rises to the ports of Ostón. We continue walking, we appreciate that it increases the height with respect to the river. We reached the Bolín bridge, where we crossed the river at high altitude, crossing it again shortly after by the bridge of Los Rebecos. Finally, we go through a tunnel area with windows carved into the rock, in the narrowest part of the route and we reach the Cain dam, where the valley begins to open and we will see the houses of the town of Leon.
Sleep in the Picos de Europa
The area has a multitude of hotels, apartments, rural houses, hostels ... a wide variety of establishments to sleep in the area and enjoy this unique environment. In our link we offer offers and direct contact with the owners, without intermediaries or commissions.
Books "More Asturadictos" and "Picos de Europa. The Mountains of Light"
If you want to know first-hand routes and places like this, we recommend you buy the book "More Asturadictos", written by Ana Paz Paredes, journalist and writer, specialist in rural themes of all kinds, gastronomy and tourist routes in the region. Alberto Lastra presents his book «Picos de Europa. The mountains of light, is a lover of mountains and photography. His love for the Picos de Europa has led him to travel through them and photograph them, in search of special places and moments.
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
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