Descent from the Fuente Dé cable car, Picos de Europa.

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After taking the cable car up, you can walk down via a long circular route that goes round the mountain in a clockwise direction.

Download the route before you go up, as there is usually no mobile signal.

The path (PR®-PNPE-24) is easy for about 7 km. It is generally well signposted, but not always. After the wooden bridge, the path is narrow and more difficult for about 500 metres. It then continues through the woods, without difficulty, to Fuente De.

The hike is long, so it’s best to be well-equipped and in good shape.

Details

n°95537069
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.78 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Average
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 755 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,346 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,362 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,415 ft
  • ⚐ Country: Spain
  • ⚐ City: Camaleño 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 43.154933° / W 4.805245°
  • ⚑
    End: N 43.1446° / W 4.809547°
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Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 6,102 ft
  2. 1 : mi 2.17 - alt. 5,446 ft - Aliva Mountain Hut
  3. 2 : mi 4.61 - alt. 4,475 ft - Canadian crossing
  4. 3 : mi 4.66 - alt. 4,432 ft - Wooden bridge
  5. E : mi 7.78 - alt. 3,497 ft

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
bicatrando
bicatrando

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2026
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Ascent by cable car. An 8 km downhill trail, followed by a route through the forest, in the undergrowth with little view of the landscape, featuring a few leg-breaking climbs. Best avoided in very hot weather.

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sophielaprof
sophielaprof

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2026
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

At the Avila refuge, you can take the path on the left towards Sotres: this extends the route slightly without much of a climb and allows you to see the hermitage of the Virgen de las Nieves in the valley. Plus, there are plenty of grazing animals of all breeds! Cows, ewes, sheep, donkeys and horses galloping across the steppe: simply magnificent!

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aqualux13
aqualux13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2026
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very long downhill hike offering magnificent scenery. The section through the forest is long and features numerous steep sections that really take it out of your legs...! Please note: you must book your cable car tickets in advance.

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Other walks in the area

Walking Fuente Dé

Association / Club / Walk leader
↔9.05 mi ↗+1,391 ft ↘-3,629 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Average
⚑Departure from Camaleño (Cantabria)
This asymmetrical hike begins with an ascent by cable car, which explains the big difference between the positive and negative elevation gains. Superb views of the Picos de Europa and a good workout for your calves on the descent.

Walking Through woodland and pretty hamlets via the PR®-PNPE 26

Visorando Member
Entre forêt et jolis hameaux par le PR®-PNPE 26
↔6.74 mi ↗+1,877 ft ↘-1,896 ft ◔4h 45 ▲Average
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A gentle forest walk with a steep climb at the start; a descent followed by another steep climb halfway along the route. You’ll pass through two pretty hamlets with Asturian granaries. A few clearings in the trees offer lovely views. This walk is numbered and signposted “PR®-PNPE 26 Hayedo de Las Ilces” within the national park. This walk can be done as an alternative to the descent from Santa Fé, which may be in fog.

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A superb descent towards Poncebos with magnificent views of Picu Urriellu, the majadas of Tenerosa and the little village of Sotres, where the famous Queso Picon is produced.

Walking From the Vega Urriellu Refuge to Poncebos via the Amuesa and Bulnes routes

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Du Refuge de Vega Urriellu à Poncebos par le Canal de Amuesa et Bulnes
↔8.84 mi ↗+1,923 ft ↘-7,467 ft ◔7 hrs ▲Extremely difficult
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Most of this stage is downhill. However, contrary to what one might think, this does not make the stage easy. The descents are steep. Just like the passage through the Brecha de los Cazadores or the section linking the Jou de los Cabrones refuge to Campa del Trave with its rugged landscapes, or the dizzying Canal de Amuessa and its 950m descent that seems endless. A difficult stage, but one of spectacular beauty.

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↔6.32 mi ↗+1,709 ft ↘-1,709 ft ◔4h 25 ▲Average
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A lovely walk that climbs up the Prada valley to the Monto sheepfold. The path is wide, the ascent steady and largely shaded, and the scenery is superb. In total, there is a 550-metre ascent. A signposted route named “PR®-PNPE 14 Montó (Valle de Prada)” in the Picos de Europa National Park. You can also start from Prada, which adds a little more elevation gain.

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↔8.06 mi ↗+2,051 ft ↘-2,057 ft ◔5h 30 ▲Average
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Vega de Llos
↔7.78 mi ↗+2,178 ft ↘-2,156 ft ◔5h 30 ▲Average
⚑Departure from Posada de Valdeón (León)
A superb hike that climbs up to the mountain pastures of Vega de Llos, where there is a shelter. Stunning views throughout the route. The walk starts from Posada de Valdeón and passes through the very pretty village of Soto de Valdeón (with its charming Asturian granaries) before gradually climbing. The second part of the descent is steeper (and shorter) than the ascent route. A signposted route named “PR®-PNPE 12 Vega de Llos” within the Picos de Europa National Park.

Walking Marcuendes Meadow

Visorando Member
↔4.79 mi ↗+1,483 ft ↘-1,486 ft ◔3h 30 ▲Average
⚑Departure from Camaleño (Cantabria)
A lovely walk best undertaken with a guide from the Casa de Naturaleza Cantabria, located in Pessaguero, 15 km south-east of Potes. The walk starts at the San Pelayo campsite. It is not signposted, so you must follow the GPS track carefully. Park in the campsite car park and head to the start of the walk, to the left of the inn. The path starts at the Hermitage of San Pelaya, then follows old tracks through holm oak woods, which are indicative of the Mediterranean climate typical of the Liebana Valley, surrounded by high mountains that shield it from the Atlantic climate. There are some stunning views of the Picos de Europa mountain range. Please ensure you close the gate properly two-thirds of the way along the route.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.