Farfada Spring

The walk starts from the village of Posada de Valdeón. You can park there easily, in front of the town hall, for example.

(S/E) From the Plaza de la Constitución, head towards the rubbish bins and take Calle del General Mola. Pass the chemist’s on your right to reach Calle del Salvador. Turn right once you’ve reached it. Less than 100 metres further on, turn left to leave the village and head towards the River Cares.

(1) Cross the bridge over the river, then turn right onto the Ruta del Cares, a wide track that runs alongside the river. This section is much less busy than the stretch between Cain and Poncebos. Join the road leading to the cemetery and follow it to the left until you reach the first junction just ahead.

(2) Turn right to walk alongside the Cordiñanes reservoir.

(3) You’ll pass a spring (where you can have a refreshing drink). Carry on straight ahead to rejoin the road linking Posada de Valdeón to Cain.

(4) You have a choice of routes to reach the Mirador del Tombo, which is less than 200 m away: you can cross the road and continue opposite along a path that leads downhill, or take the road, which is not usually very busy (choice of route).

(5) The Mirador del Tombo offers a spectacular view over the Rio Cares valley and the surrounding peaks of the Picos de Europa. (You can start from here, but there is less parking space at this spot.) Head up the path that leads into the forest. 100 m further up, along the small road, you’ll find a sign reading ‘La Farfada 1h15’: turn right.

(6) Continue climbing to the left, ignoring the start of a path on your right. Join the road again and follow it to the left.

(7) Walk past a sign pointing to the Capozo Canal. The path then continues along the mountainside , offering a beautiful view until you reach the edge of the forest.

(8) Cross a wooden bridge over a stream that is often dry in summer. Carry on until you emerge from the forest to reach the end of the walk: the Farfada spring.

(9) The spring may be dry and is not spectacular in itself, but the view from there is superb. A sign reads ‘La Farfada fin de ruta’. A steep path continues on to the Lluques Cave, but you’ll lose it quite quickly and it isn’t signposted.

Take the same route back. Before reaching the Mirador del Tombo, carry straight on along the road to avoid the detour.

(4) Turn right and follow the path back along the same route you took on the way there to return to the village of Posada de Valdeón (S/E).

In summer, the streams are often dry, but this does nothing to detract from the spectacular scenery of the Picos de Europa.
The hike ends in the forest.

The village of Pasada de Valdeón is very pleasant and lies right in the heart of the Picos de Europa. You’ll be able to enjoy magnificent views of the National Park whilst having a drink on a terrace.