La Ruta del Cares
La Ruta del Cares
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- Muldr4SclyThame, United Kingdom890 contributionsAmazing views on the hike but you need quite a bit of stamina!PR-PNPE-3 “La Ruta del Cares” is known to be one of the top trails to do in the Picos! We decided to go on this hike from Poncebos to Cain…and back! It is 22km roundtrip and around 3 hours each way. We went in the summer and started out at 8:30am when the sun was still coming up as parking fills up fast. The trail starts off a bit steep and meanders along the edge of the mountain. It does start to level out after a while. The ground is rocky and you should wear walking shoes. We had planned on walking the same route back however we didn’t bank on how exhausted we would feel from doing the hike out. We had just hiked 11km the previous day so probably were feeling a bit tired! It was nice to rest and have an ice cream in the little cafes in Cain before starting the journey back. We bought extra water in Cain as used up our bottles hiking there. It was a lot hotter on the way back! The views were fabulous in both directions. If you don’t like heights then there are parts where I would not recommend looking down! The trail does get quite narrow in places (less than 2 metres wide) and some sheer drop-offs into the canyon. Also we would not do this hike in bad weather as can imagine that it could get quite slippery. We were very lucky with the weather as there was a storm visible as we finished the hike which was bad the following day. It was fun to see lots of mountain goats on the trail. Just to note: Due to the location of the trail/mountain range, it would be a very expensive taxi to get back to Poncebos from Cain. It would actually take longer to go back in a car than it would take to hike it.Visited August 2020Written October 18, 2020
- kellycat1Washington DC, District of Columbia26 contributionsHike the Ruta del Cares Poncebos to Cain. Spain, Picos mountainsRuta del Cares (river gorge) hiking trail was a great experience! I’m 55, wasn’t sure it would be easy for me - especially considering the distance. Almost 7 miles (11 km) one way. It took about three hours to get to the little town of Cain. The starting point at Poncebos was probably the most steep section, and it wasn’t that bad. It’s not a loop hike, but the views heading toward Cain are very different from the views you get heading back to Poncebos. You definitely need good shoes! I needed Band-Aids on my toes during the last mile of the return hike. There is parking all along the road that leads up to the trailhead. If you start early, and on a weekday, you’ll have no trouble getting a place to park your car. We arrived in Poncebos on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon and it was crowded with cars a hikers. We stayed the night at Hotel Garganta in Poncebos Before starting our hike the next morning. The staff/people there were great. We started hiking on a Monday morning and there were very few hikers on the trail. It seemed like we had the route to ourselves at several points. When we did encounter other travelers, we had some great chats with people. We got to the small town of Cain and had a delicious lunch at El Montañero. We had planned on the hike taking the full day, but admit we probably lingered a little too long enjoying our lunch. So make sure you leave yourself enough time to hike back. We met two other hikers at lunch who walked out to Cain but planned on taking the 4 x 4 vehicle tour back to Poncebos, so that’s an option. Lots of great goat watching, eagle spotting, and scenic views too many to count. If the trail is crowded, there’s not a lot of opportunity to have an outdoor wee, so drink your water accordingly, but also don’t forget to drink your water! I highly recommend taking this hike if you are on a trip to the north of Spain!Visited September 2021Traveled as a coupleWritten February 14, 2022
- AnuHKochi (Cochin), India222 contributionsJust do it. Yes, you can.My husband is a marathoner. I am not. (just an ordinary 44 year old woman who does not exercise). On our 26th wedding anniversary, I "presented" him with this hike. He had no idea what to expect and he LOVED it. We started at 9.30 am after breakfast. We stayed at the Cain (de valdeon) end and walked to the other side and back. I did not do the last 2-3 kms as it was very steep. It took him 4 hours 51 minutes to finish the whole route 30-32 kms. It took me 6 hours to cover 22-24 kms. The views are stunning. The goats are friendly. Be prepared to smile and say loads of "Ola" to all the other hikers. No bathroom breaks possible on the trail. There was 2 natural springs to drink water from. It would be a good idea to take some light snacks to munch. Not necessary, but nice to relax and take in the views. There is no side railings at most points. Did see many people with young kids and dogs, though. Wear a light pull over. Can be walked wearing a 'luna sandals".Visited June 2022Written July 7, 2022
- markinmiami225 contributionsHiker heavenEpic, spectacular, romantic…. There are not enough adjectives to describe this hike! It’s as if Disney, lord of the rings and Game of Thrones had a baby, an almost unreal beauty. Of course you want to be in decent shape to make the six hour round-trip hike, and bring enough water, sunscreen, and snacks. Make sure to have good footwear, I did it with sneakers, but sandals may not cut it. And hiking poles if you have them. And make sure to not get too carried away by the landscape, as there are a lot of exposed stages with deep drops -that is just aside from potential rock avalanches, and towards the end, flash flooding danger. So it’s not advisable to bring children or dogs without a leash. You can park along the street leading up to the ruta de cares trailhead (a bit further up to the right where the Bulnes road goes to the left). You’ll end up in Cain where there are a few restaurants and beer gardens in season. It’s probably the best hike you’ll ever do, I hike quite a bit and it’s among my best if not the best hike! But be prepared, avoid weekends & summer, and be fit.Visited May 2023Traveled soloWritten May 26, 2023
- LovebrigadeWellington, New Zealand41 contributionsSpectacular mountain gorge hikeRuta Del Cares is a spectacular day hike between the village of Poncebos and Cain. It takes betwee 5-6 hours, depending on fitness level. It is a fairly easy hike but with some specific hazards - there are sections comprised entirely of loose rock with sheer drops into the ravine below, but the path is fairly wide. The first section is fairly steep but far more perilous on the return due to fatigue and loose rock, so ensure you are rested before making the final descent to Poncebos. Walking poles would be useful here. It is a busy track and best walked in the cooler off season as long as the weather is ok. There is a small shop in Cain where you buy some snacks and a couple of restaurants, but the restaurants didnt appear to be open during the off season. Enjoy and safe hiking.Visited November 2022Written November 28, 2022
- yossi kShoresh, Israel42 contributionsSome practical tips for an unforgettable experienceRuta del Cares (or Garganta del Cares) is an attractive path going along a water canal, high above the Cares gorge from Cain to Poncebos in the Picos de Europa national park. Many of TripAdvisor's reviewers are praising and counting all elements that are responsible for its charm, mightiness and uniqueness. Instead, I will try and focus on some other aspects for the sake of future travelers, who have already heard about this fantastic itinerary, but are eager for some practical tips. First there is a bus service during the summer months (July-September), which enables you to walk the path one way (from Poncebos to Cain), and at Cain's end to catch the bus that takes you back to your starting point. However, from October to June there is no bus service. The only option is to walk the path back or take a taxi from Cain and pay a fortune. You can get information and tickets regarding bus service during summer from the tourist information office at Cangas de Onis. Here is its contact information. gpicos@oapn.es, www.cangasdeonis.com, Tel: +34 985848614, Fax: +34 985848699 One can start the path from either Cain or Poncebos. Total distance from Cain to Poncebos is less than 12 kilometers (10.7 kilometers). The path is very well sign-posted, you cannot get lost even if you try. Every few kilometers you can check by the signs how many kilometers you have already walked, and how many more are left for final destination. I myself walked the path twice (last time on April 2015). I am 70 years old, have knees problems, and in spite of my physical limitations, enjoyed very much walking the Ruta del Cares for the second time around. Take into consideration that walking the first part of the path starting from Poncebos' end, the route has a long ascent, afterwards a short decent and then walking is almost flat until you reach Cain (after crossing two bridges). I started it from the Poncebos' end, walked until the first bridge (Bolin Puente), stopped there (1.2 kilometers from Cain) and walked all the way back to Poncebos. The most difficult part for me was the decent to Poncebos on the way back. I did it very slowly and carefully, and it took a long time to accomplish. Based upon my two experiences walking the path, I strongly recommend everyone, especially people like myself, to start walking from Cain's end, cross the two green bridges and walk in Poncebos' direction until the ascent begins. Then stop and walk all the way back to Cain - much easier. That way you enjoy all the amazing scenery which Ruta del Cares offers, and miss only the ascent and the long decent to Poncebos , which have nothing special to add to ONE unforgettable experience. Yossi Kimhi, Mevasseret Zion, Israel Visited on April 2015, traveled as a coupleVisited April 2015Written June 25, 2015
- jamieraeGlasgow, United Kingdom35 contributionsBeautiful walking route!Although the Ruta del Cares is listed here on Trip Advisor as a walking tour, it's really more of a self-guided walking route between the small villages of Poncebos (Asturias) and Caín (León). The route is 12km in length, with 24km of walking required if you do a return trip. It passes through some incredible natural scenery and uses some fantastic man-made tunnels, bridges and excavations in order to allow passage through a narrow river gorge. The route was constructed in the early twentieth century to provide access as part of a hydroelectric power scheme, where water is taken from the river Cares at Caín and used to generate power at the power station in Poncebos. It passes high above the river valley/gorge with some extraordinary views to savour and many great photo opportunities. We started from Poncebos, walked to Caín in time for lunch and then returned to Poncebos after eating. Overall the journey took us around six hours plus eating time - three hours of walking each way. It would be possible to walk in one direction only, but this would require some pre-planning as there is no easy route available for returning from Caín to Poncebos by car or public transport. Although the walking route between the two villages is just 12km, the landscape is such that driving between them requires you to take a journey of around 2 hours and a distance of over 100km! This may be possible to arrange by taxi or bus but I am not personally aware of how to organise this. The best solution is certainly to do the return journey on foot, if you are capable of doing so. Poncebos is at a significantly lower height above sea level than Caín, so the first section out of Poncebos requires some considerable effort. For a period between 45 minutes and an hour long, it is necessary to climb up and up until reaching the top. After arriving there, the rest of the route is virtually flat and follows the man-made construction of the hydroelectric canal, so it is very easy to walk through this section. In Caín, there are a handful of bars/restaurants where you can find something to eat, plus two small shops. We had a menú del día for €11, consisting of two courses, bread, wine and water. For my starter, I ordered melon with ham - after walking up there in hot weather, the melon was superb, so refreshing! After lunch, we made the return trip by the same path. The return to Poncebos can be completed in a slightly shorter time since the final part is downhill, although this is tough on your knees and the rough/loose surface makes it a strenuous descent. Due to the very stoney/rocky path, it is absolutely necessary to wear strong footwear such as hiking boots to walk this route. You can only walk a short distance from the Caín end while wearing trainers and I would not recommend completing the whole route in this manner. Parking at Poncebos is free at the side of the road and is well controlled by a local authority employee in a fluorescent jacket. During the morning, follow the signs for the Ruta del Cares and continue until directed to park. You can also approach the route from the south and park at Caín but I can't advise about how that is organised. For navigation, there are some signposts around at certain junctions but it is almost impossible to go wrong as the route is very obvious through the valley. You cannot get lost. Remember to take water and sun cream with you when walking the route - as you would expect in an area with no vehicular access, there are no opportunities to purchase anything once you have started out along the route. The Ruta del Cares is a fantastic day out and highly recommended. A magnificent place to spend some time!Visited July 2012Traveled with friendsWritten July 16, 2012
- Juan2013Pattaya, Thailand47 contributions"Must do" experiece if you visit Picos de EuropaCertainly a healthy experience if you like treking. The Cares Trail or Ruta del Cares is one of the most popular treking paths within the Picos de Europa, the route is situated between the province of León and Asturias, in Spain. It runs from the Asturian village of Puente Poncebos to Caín in Leon along the Cares Canyon. In the old times, the route was the only way to reach both towns during the snow seasons in the winter. It is a safe path unless you do crazy things. I do not recommend to do it with small kids as there are NO safeguards along the path. You can start from Asturias (Poncebos) early in the morning (9am) and walk to the end, by noon you will arrive in Cain, a small village in Leon where you can find enough restaurants to have lunch. After lunch a resting a little bit you have 2 options. 1. Take a bus to go back to Poncebos (100km) which take 4 hours, or walk back the route (12 km) in 3 hours. Your choice depending on how tired you feel. Another approach would be to go to Cain by car and start from there and make half of the route and walk back to Cain to take the car. The most beautiful walk is near cain so by walking half of the route you see the most interesting area. Amazing view. Don't miss it!Visited August 2016Traveled as a coupleWritten December 9, 2016
- Michael BLondon, United Kingdom26 contributionsInformation about the cares gorge walkThe route through the Cares gorge is one of the most famous walks in Spain and justly so. It follows one of the deepest gorges in western Europe and has some spectacular views. The path goes through tunnels and along a ledge above the river Cares connecting Cain and Puente Poncebos which is wide and well constructed and although it can feel vertiginous, is perfectly safe. The walk is also relatively flat by standards of the Picos de Europa ( total of about 1200 feet of climbing from the Poncebos end). In summer it can be hot and busy and the best times to go are probably mid-week in spring and autumn. There are ways of walking it one way ( I believe there may be a bus from Cangas de Onis to Cain in the summer) but I have only done it in both directions on the same trip. It takes about 7 hours or so return for an average walker, not including a stop in Cain or Poncebos for refreshment. I have done it both Cain-Poncebos-Cain and Poncebos-Cain-Poncebos and there is a slight difference in what most return walkers do. For the Cain-Poncebos-Cain return, walkers often do not do the whole walk as most of the most spectacular scenery is at the Cain end ( in many peoples' opinions) but stop at the highest point above Poncebos ( Los Collaos) to avoid the hill down into Poncebos ( and back up). In contrast, the whole Poncebos-Cain-Poncebos walk is usually done in total. The uphill-downhill section into Poncebos can be avoided on the walk back to Poncebos by taking a zig-zag path down from the main path just before the final uphill section but is probably not a good idea if you are not a confident mountain walker as it crosses and descends scree slopes. Finally, if you are driving yourself, the access to Poncebos is much easier as the road down to Cain can be intimidating if you are uncomfortable on narrow mountain roads.Visited April 2015Traveled as a coupleWritten April 20, 2015
- RatonCantabria2,740 contributionsA long but stunning gorge walkWe have done the Cares gorge walk a few times, and it's one of the most amazing walks in this area. We've always done it starting in Poncebos, walking up to Cain, and walking back again (you notice totally different things on the way back). The walk is long, about 6 hours or so there and back, but apart from the start it's practically flat. There are people who contract taxis or other companies to collect them and bring them back to the start (it's a long drive round), but we've never had a problem doing it there and back as long as you start early. The parking in Poncebos is absolutely mental in the summer, it can add kilometres onto your walk just walking from where you end up parking the car (along the road, there's no parking), to the start of the walk!! Get there early!!! There is a little shop at Cain I think, and there is some snack place along the way, but it's never been open when we've been, so make sure you take plently of food and water. There's a lovely meadow when you get to Cain to have a picnic and paddle. So basically, the views are incredible, walking along the gorge, getting thinner and thinner, with steep steep rocks above you...and also very vertical drops below you at some points! The path is in good condition and there is no possibility of getting lost, the only thing is at the start in Poncebos make sure you take the top path, not the one that goes along the river...certainly in the past you end up having to scale a vertical shale rock face further along, not fun from experience!! Oh, and there are lots of friendly goats along the way too!! There's also another walk from Poncebos which goes up to the very beautiful and remote village of Bulnes, one of the highest (if not the) in the Picos. It takes about an hour to walk up there (it's a rocky path), but there is also a funicular which goes through the rock, it's quite expensive though. The village is split into two parts, bottom and top, and has a few bars and things (not sure if it has food or not). There is no road there, so it is car free!Visited June 2010Written January 6, 2011
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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markinmiami
miami beach225 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
Epic, spectacular, romantic…. There are not enough adjectives to describe this hike! It’s as if Disney, lord of the rings and Game of Thrones had a baby, an almost unreal beauty. Of course you want to be in decent shape to make the six hour round-trip hike, and bring enough water, sunscreen, and snacks. Make sure to have good footwear, I did it with sneakers, but sandals may not cut it. And hiking poles if you have them. And make sure to not get too carried away by the landscape, as there are a lot of exposed stages with deep drops -that is just aside from potential rock avalanches, and towards the end, flash flooding danger. So it’s not advisable to bring children or dogs without a leash. You can park along the street leading up to the ruta de cares trailhead (a bit further up to the right where the Bulnes road goes to the left). You’ll end up in Cain where there are a few restaurants and beer gardens in season. It’s probably the best hike you’ll ever do, I hike quite a bit and it’s among my best if not the best hike! But be prepared, avoid weekends & summer, and be fit.
Written May 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lovebrigade
Wellington, New Zealand41 contributions
Nov 2022
Ruta Del Cares is a spectacular day hike between the village of Poncebos and Cain. It takes betwee 5-6 hours, depending on fitness level. It is a fairly easy hike but with some specific hazards - there are sections comprised entirely of loose rock with sheer drops into the ravine below, but the path is fairly wide. The first section is fairly steep but far more perilous on the return due to fatigue and loose rock, so ensure you are rested before making the final descent to Poncebos. Walking poles would be useful here. It is a busy track and best walked in the cooler off season as long as the weather is ok. There is a small shop in Cain where you buy some snacks and a couple of restaurants, but the restaurants didnt appear to be open during the off season. Enjoy and safe hiking.
Written November 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yossi k
Shoresh, Israel42 contributions
Apr 2015
Ruta del Cares (or Garganta del Cares) is an attractive path going along a water canal, high above the Cares gorge from Cain to Poncebos in the Picos de Europa national park.
Many of TripAdvisor's reviewers are praising and counting all elements that are responsible for its charm, mightiness and uniqueness. Instead, I will try and focus on some other aspects for the sake of future travelers, who have already heard about this fantastic itinerary, but are eager for some practical tips.
First there is a bus service during the summer months (July-September), which enables you to walk the path one way (from Poncebos to Cain), and at Cain's end to catch the bus that takes you back to your starting point. However, from October to June there is no bus service. The only option is to walk the path back or take a taxi from Cain and pay a fortune.
You can get information and tickets regarding bus service during summer from the tourist information office at Cangas de Onis. Here is its contact information.
gpicos@oapn.es, www.cangasdeonis.com, Tel: +34 985848614, Fax: +34 985848699
One can start the path from either Cain or Poncebos.
Total distance from Cain to Poncebos is less than 12 kilometers (10.7 kilometers).
The path is very well sign-posted, you cannot get lost even if you try. Every few kilometers you can check by the signs how many kilometers you have already walked, and how many more are left for final destination.
I myself walked the path twice (last time on April 2015). I am 70 years old, have knees problems, and in spite of my physical limitations, enjoyed very much walking the Ruta del Cares for the second time around.
Take into consideration that walking the first part of the path starting from Poncebos' end, the route has a long ascent, afterwards a short decent and then walking is almost flat until you reach Cain (after crossing two bridges).
I started it from the Poncebos' end, walked until the first bridge (Bolin Puente), stopped there (1.2 kilometers from Cain) and walked all the way back to Poncebos.
The most difficult part for me was the decent to Poncebos on the way back. I did it very slowly and carefully, and it took a long time to accomplish.
Based upon my two experiences walking the path, I strongly recommend everyone, especially people like myself, to start walking from Cain's end, cross the two green bridges and walk in Poncebos' direction until the ascent begins. Then stop and walk all the way back to Cain - much easier.
That way you enjoy all the amazing scenery which Ruta del Cares offers, and miss only the ascent and the long decent to Poncebos , which have nothing special to add to ONE unforgettable experience.
Yossi Kimhi, Mevasseret Zion, Israel
Visited on April 2015, traveled as a couple
Many of TripAdvisor's reviewers are praising and counting all elements that are responsible for its charm, mightiness and uniqueness. Instead, I will try and focus on some other aspects for the sake of future travelers, who have already heard about this fantastic itinerary, but are eager for some practical tips.
First there is a bus service during the summer months (July-September), which enables you to walk the path one way (from Poncebos to Cain), and at Cain's end to catch the bus that takes you back to your starting point. However, from October to June there is no bus service. The only option is to walk the path back or take a taxi from Cain and pay a fortune.
You can get information and tickets regarding bus service during summer from the tourist information office at Cangas de Onis. Here is its contact information.
gpicos@oapn.es, www.cangasdeonis.com, Tel: +34 985848614, Fax: +34 985848699
One can start the path from either Cain or Poncebos.
Total distance from Cain to Poncebos is less than 12 kilometers (10.7 kilometers).
The path is very well sign-posted, you cannot get lost even if you try. Every few kilometers you can check by the signs how many kilometers you have already walked, and how many more are left for final destination.
I myself walked the path twice (last time on April 2015). I am 70 years old, have knees problems, and in spite of my physical limitations, enjoyed very much walking the Ruta del Cares for the second time around.
Take into consideration that walking the first part of the path starting from Poncebos' end, the route has a long ascent, afterwards a short decent and then walking is almost flat until you reach Cain (after crossing two bridges).
I started it from the Poncebos' end, walked until the first bridge (Bolin Puente), stopped there (1.2 kilometers from Cain) and walked all the way back to Poncebos.
The most difficult part for me was the decent to Poncebos on the way back. I did it very slowly and carefully, and it took a long time to accomplish.
Based upon my two experiences walking the path, I strongly recommend everyone, especially people like myself, to start walking from Cain's end, cross the two green bridges and walk in Poncebos' direction until the ascent begins. Then stop and walk all the way back to Cain - much easier.
That way you enjoy all the amazing scenery which Ruta del Cares offers, and miss only the ascent and the long decent to Poncebos , which have nothing special to add to ONE unforgettable experience.
Yossi Kimhi, Mevasseret Zion, Israel
Visited on April 2015, traveled as a couple
Written June 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jamierae
Glasgow, UK35 contributions
Jul 2012 • Friends
Although the Ruta del Cares is listed here on Trip Advisor as a walking tour, it's really more of a self-guided walking route between the small villages of Poncebos (Asturias) and Caín (León). The route is 12km in length, with 24km of walking required if you do a return trip. It passes through some incredible natural scenery and uses some fantastic man-made tunnels, bridges and excavations in order to allow passage through a narrow river gorge.
The route was constructed in the early twentieth century to provide access as part of a hydroelectric power scheme, where water is taken from the river Cares at Caín and used to generate power at the power station in Poncebos. It passes high above the river valley/gorge with some extraordinary views to savour and many great photo opportunities.
We started from Poncebos, walked to Caín in time for lunch and then returned to Poncebos after eating. Overall the journey took us around six hours plus eating time - three hours of walking each way. It would be possible to walk in one direction only, but this would require some pre-planning as there is no easy route available for returning from Caín to Poncebos by car or public transport. Although the walking route between the two villages is just 12km, the landscape is such that driving between them requires you to take a journey of around 2 hours and a distance of over 100km! This may be possible to arrange by taxi or bus but I am not personally aware of how to organise this. The best solution is certainly to do the return journey on foot, if you are capable of doing so.
Poncebos is at a significantly lower height above sea level than Caín, so the first section out of Poncebos requires some considerable effort. For a period between 45 minutes and an hour long, it is necessary to climb up and up until reaching the top. After arriving there, the rest of the route is virtually flat and follows the man-made construction of the hydroelectric canal, so it is very easy to walk through this section.
In Caín, there are a handful of bars/restaurants where you can find something to eat, plus two small shops. We had a menú del día for €11, consisting of two courses, bread, wine and water. For my starter, I ordered melon with ham - after walking up there in hot weather, the melon was superb, so refreshing!
After lunch, we made the return trip by the same path. The return to Poncebos can be completed in a slightly shorter time since the final part is downhill, although this is tough on your knees and the rough/loose surface makes it a strenuous descent.
Due to the very stoney/rocky path, it is absolutely necessary to wear strong footwear such as hiking boots to walk this route. You can only walk a short distance from the Caín end while wearing trainers and I would not recommend completing the whole route in this manner.
Parking at Poncebos is free at the side of the road and is well controlled by a local authority employee in a fluorescent jacket. During the morning, follow the signs for the Ruta del Cares and continue until directed to park. You can also approach the route from the south and park at Caín but I can't advise about how that is organised.
For navigation, there are some signposts around at certain junctions but it is almost impossible to go wrong as the route is very obvious through the valley. You cannot get lost.
Remember to take water and sun cream with you when walking the route - as you would expect in an area with no vehicular access, there are no opportunities to purchase anything once you have started out along the route.
The Ruta del Cares is a fantastic day out and highly recommended. A magnificent place to spend some time!
The route was constructed in the early twentieth century to provide access as part of a hydroelectric power scheme, where water is taken from the river Cares at Caín and used to generate power at the power station in Poncebos. It passes high above the river valley/gorge with some extraordinary views to savour and many great photo opportunities.
We started from Poncebos, walked to Caín in time for lunch and then returned to Poncebos after eating. Overall the journey took us around six hours plus eating time - three hours of walking each way. It would be possible to walk in one direction only, but this would require some pre-planning as there is no easy route available for returning from Caín to Poncebos by car or public transport. Although the walking route between the two villages is just 12km, the landscape is such that driving between them requires you to take a journey of around 2 hours and a distance of over 100km! This may be possible to arrange by taxi or bus but I am not personally aware of how to organise this. The best solution is certainly to do the return journey on foot, if you are capable of doing so.
Poncebos is at a significantly lower height above sea level than Caín, so the first section out of Poncebos requires some considerable effort. For a period between 45 minutes and an hour long, it is necessary to climb up and up until reaching the top. After arriving there, the rest of the route is virtually flat and follows the man-made construction of the hydroelectric canal, so it is very easy to walk through this section.
In Caín, there are a handful of bars/restaurants where you can find something to eat, plus two small shops. We had a menú del día for €11, consisting of two courses, bread, wine and water. For my starter, I ordered melon with ham - after walking up there in hot weather, the melon was superb, so refreshing!
After lunch, we made the return trip by the same path. The return to Poncebos can be completed in a slightly shorter time since the final part is downhill, although this is tough on your knees and the rough/loose surface makes it a strenuous descent.
Due to the very stoney/rocky path, it is absolutely necessary to wear strong footwear such as hiking boots to walk this route. You can only walk a short distance from the Caín end while wearing trainers and I would not recommend completing the whole route in this manner.
Parking at Poncebos is free at the side of the road and is well controlled by a local authority employee in a fluorescent jacket. During the morning, follow the signs for the Ruta del Cares and continue until directed to park. You can also approach the route from the south and park at Caín but I can't advise about how that is organised.
For navigation, there are some signposts around at certain junctions but it is almost impossible to go wrong as the route is very obvious through the valley. You cannot get lost.
Remember to take water and sun cream with you when walking the route - as you would expect in an area with no vehicular access, there are no opportunities to purchase anything once you have started out along the route.
The Ruta del Cares is a fantastic day out and highly recommended. A magnificent place to spend some time!
Written July 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juan2013
Pattaya, Thailand47 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Certainly a healthy experience if you like treking.
The Cares Trail or Ruta del Cares is one of the most popular treking paths within the Picos de Europa, the route is situated between the province of León and Asturias, in Spain. It runs from the Asturian village of Puente Poncebos to Caín in Leon along the Cares Canyon. In the old times, the route was the only way to reach both towns during the snow seasons in the winter.
It is a safe path unless you do crazy things. I do not recommend to do it with small kids as there are NO safeguards along the path.
You can start from Asturias (Poncebos) early in the morning (9am) and walk to the end, by noon you will arrive in Cain, a small village in Leon where you can find enough restaurants to have lunch. After lunch a resting a little bit you have 2 options. 1. Take a bus to go back to Poncebos (100km) which take 4 hours, or walk back the route (12 km) in 3 hours. Your choice depending on how tired you feel.
Another approach would be to go to Cain by car and start from there and make half of the route and walk back to Cain to take the car. The most beautiful walk is near cain so by walking half of the route you see the most interesting area.
Amazing view. Don't miss it!
The Cares Trail or Ruta del Cares is one of the most popular treking paths within the Picos de Europa, the route is situated between the province of León and Asturias, in Spain. It runs from the Asturian village of Puente Poncebos to Caín in Leon along the Cares Canyon. In the old times, the route was the only way to reach both towns during the snow seasons in the winter.
It is a safe path unless you do crazy things. I do not recommend to do it with small kids as there are NO safeguards along the path.
You can start from Asturias (Poncebos) early in the morning (9am) and walk to the end, by noon you will arrive in Cain, a small village in Leon where you can find enough restaurants to have lunch. After lunch a resting a little bit you have 2 options. 1. Take a bus to go back to Poncebos (100km) which take 4 hours, or walk back the route (12 km) in 3 hours. Your choice depending on how tired you feel.
Another approach would be to go to Cain by car and start from there and make half of the route and walk back to Cain to take the car. The most beautiful walk is near cain so by walking half of the route you see the most interesting area.
Amazing view. Don't miss it!
Written December 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael B
London, UK26 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
The route through the Cares gorge is one of the most famous walks in Spain and justly so. It follows one of the deepest gorges in western Europe and has some spectacular views. The path goes through tunnels and along a ledge above the river Cares connecting Cain and Puente Poncebos which is wide and well constructed and although it can feel vertiginous, is perfectly safe. The walk is also relatively flat by standards of the Picos de Europa ( total of about 1200 feet of climbing from the Poncebos end). In summer it can be hot and busy and the best times to go are probably mid-week in spring and autumn. There are ways of walking it one way ( I believe there may be a bus from Cangas de Onis to Cain in the summer) but I have only done it in both directions on the same trip. It takes about 7 hours or so return for an average walker, not including a stop in Cain or Poncebos for refreshment. I have done it both Cain-Poncebos-Cain and Poncebos-Cain-Poncebos and there is a slight difference in what most return walkers do. For the Cain-Poncebos-Cain return, walkers often do not do the whole walk as most of the most spectacular scenery is at the Cain end ( in many peoples' opinions) but stop at the highest point above Poncebos ( Los Collaos) to avoid the hill down into Poncebos ( and back up). In contrast, the whole Poncebos-Cain-Poncebos walk is usually done in total. The uphill-downhill section into Poncebos can be avoided on the walk back to Poncebos by taking a zig-zag path down from the main path just before the final uphill section but is probably not a good idea if you are not a confident mountain walker as it crosses and descends scree slopes. Finally, if you are driving yourself, the access to Poncebos is much easier as the road down to Cain can be intimidating if you are uncomfortable on narrow mountain roads.
Written April 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RatonCantabria
Cantabria2,740 contributions
Jun 2010
We have done the Cares gorge walk a few times, and it's one of the most amazing walks in this area. We've always done it starting in Poncebos, walking up to Cain, and walking back again (you notice totally different things on the way back). The walk is long, about 6 hours or so there and back, but apart from the start it's practically flat. There are people who contract taxis or other companies to collect them and bring them back to the start (it's a long drive round), but we've never had a problem doing it there and back as long as you start early. The parking in Poncebos is absolutely mental in the summer, it can add kilometres onto your walk just walking from where you end up parking the car (along the road, there's no parking), to the start of the walk!! Get there early!!! There is a little shop at Cain I think, and there is some snack place along the way, but it's never been open when we've been, so make sure you take plently of food and water. There's a lovely meadow when you get to Cain to have a picnic and paddle. So basically, the views are incredible, walking along the gorge, getting thinner and thinner, with steep steep rocks above you...and also very vertical drops below you at some points! The path is in good condition and there is no possibility of getting lost, the only thing is at the start in Poncebos make sure you take the top path, not the one that goes along the river...certainly in the past you end up having to scale a vertical shale rock face further along, not fun from experience!! Oh, and there are lots of friendly goats along the way too!! There's also another walk from Poncebos which goes up to the very beautiful and remote village of Bulnes, one of the highest (if not the) in the Picos. It takes about an hour to walk up there (it's a rocky path), but there is also a funicular which goes through the rock, it's quite expensive though. The village is split into two parts, bottom and top, and has a few bars and things (not sure if it has food or not). There is no road there, so it is car free!
Written January 6, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
janestopforth
Cartagena, Spain95 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
After reading various reviews I had put myself off doing the walk!
Partly through fear of heights and danger, the heat of the sun and the thought of an overcrowded narrow walkway in August.
We did it on 23rd August from Poncebos to Cain. We started at 9:30am and it was quite overcast, so no direct heat or sun. It took about 3.5hrs with stops to look around and have a drink.
The path is fine, I'm quite scared of heights, but I didn't have any problem. Whilst you are walking, watch where you are walking. If you want to look at the scenery, stop and look. That worked for me. Most people were walking in the same direction, I wasn't overwhelmed by the number of people, in fact I found it quite reassuring seeing other people from time to time. As we got a bit nearer the other end, then we met some people walking the other way. If I was bothered by the edge, I'd just stop and let other people pass.
It's not a difficult walk. The most difficult part is the ascent/descent near Poncebos, but walking slowly and steadily it was fine.
When we got to Cain we had lunch there, and were then waiting for the 4pm bus which we'd bought tickets for.
In the end we decided to walk back and sold our tickets to people waiting for them! The bus was going to take 3 hrs to get back as well, so we thought we might as well do the walk again.
We set off back at 3:30pm and it took exactly 3 hrs. This time we were simply walking it not looking around so much. Now it was much hotter and we were tired. But we got back fine. In fact we were celebrating in the bar with a beer when the bus finally rolled in 1/2 an hour later!
Be prepared. Wear decent shoes for walking. Take a jacket in case of rain. Take sun protection a hat and cream. Take water.
Partly through fear of heights and danger, the heat of the sun and the thought of an overcrowded narrow walkway in August.
We did it on 23rd August from Poncebos to Cain. We started at 9:30am and it was quite overcast, so no direct heat or sun. It took about 3.5hrs with stops to look around and have a drink.
The path is fine, I'm quite scared of heights, but I didn't have any problem. Whilst you are walking, watch where you are walking. If you want to look at the scenery, stop and look. That worked for me. Most people were walking in the same direction, I wasn't overwhelmed by the number of people, in fact I found it quite reassuring seeing other people from time to time. As we got a bit nearer the other end, then we met some people walking the other way. If I was bothered by the edge, I'd just stop and let other people pass.
It's not a difficult walk. The most difficult part is the ascent/descent near Poncebos, but walking slowly and steadily it was fine.
When we got to Cain we had lunch there, and were then waiting for the 4pm bus which we'd bought tickets for.
In the end we decided to walk back and sold our tickets to people waiting for them! The bus was going to take 3 hrs to get back as well, so we thought we might as well do the walk again.
We set off back at 3:30pm and it took exactly 3 hrs. This time we were simply walking it not looking around so much. Now it was much hotter and we were tired. But we got back fine. In fact we were celebrating in the bar with a beer when the bus finally rolled in 1/2 an hour later!
Be prepared. Wear decent shoes for walking. Take a jacket in case of rain. Take sun protection a hat and cream. Take water.
Written August 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TishB44
39 contributions
Jun 2013 • Friends
I cannot recommend this hike enough! We started in Puente Poncebos, walked to Caín and back to Puente Poncebos. I definitely recommend doing it this way round, as Caín is a much nicer lunch spot, and this way you do the 250m gradual climb at the start of the day when you're fresh, rather than straight after lunch. You can buy food at Caín, and Puente Poncebos, but not in between. The whole walk was 24km, and took 7 hours with regular snack/photo breaks and a 45 min lunch stop. You start with a 250m gradual climb, then a 100m gradual descent, then it's basically flat all the way to Caín. I have hiking boots, but chose to do it in trainers and these were absolutely fine.
I am a fit 25 year old, and did it with my 60 year old parents (who do maybe a 40 min walk a day normally), and they managed the whole thing and really enjoyed it! They were tired at the end (as was I!), but said it was more than worth it. The scenery is absolutely spectacular. I have trekked in the Himalayas and the Andes, and I would rate the scenery right up there with those treks.
We stayed in Hotel Picos de Europa in Arenas de Cabrales, which was excellent.
I am a fit 25 year old, and did it with my 60 year old parents (who do maybe a 40 min walk a day normally), and they managed the whole thing and really enjoyed it! They were tired at the end (as was I!), but said it was more than worth it. The scenery is absolutely spectacular. I have trekked in the Himalayas and the Andes, and I would rate the scenery right up there with those treks.
We stayed in Hotel Picos de Europa in Arenas de Cabrales, which was excellent.
Written June 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin H
Leicester, UK428 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
This is one of the finest walks in Europe and can match anything in the Alps.
It’s a spectacular gorge walk through the heart of the Picos with wonderful views throughout.
The route starts with an hour's steady pull up to the col then it's a short descent and a long horizontal traverse into Cain. Fab views everywhere! In the summer it would be best to get the climb done before the heat of the day kicks in.
The practicalities; the walk is 12km long and has no short cuts - you either go on or go back. There is very little shade on the route and no drinking water - so you will need to carry what you need. There is a mountain stream at Cain where you can refill your bottles. There are no toilets en route, except at the start and finish. The walk is exposed so that if you have a fear of heights then have a think. The good news is that the path is sound and 2m wide so it's easy to stay safe. At the Cain end of the route the path ducks into a tunnel for 50m, so a torch or the light feature on your 'phone is useful. At the pretty village of Cain there is an array of cafés and restaurants selling all suspects at the usual prices.
There is plenty of on road parking at Poncebos Bridge - best to drive to the start of the walk, turn the car around and then pull into the next available space on the way back.
If you walk the route both ways - as most do - then it's 24 km but it's easy walking, 20km of that is a horizontal traverse along the cliff of the gorge. We started at 8.30 am and had returned by 4.30pm with an hour in Cains for lunch.
It’s a spectacular gorge walk through the heart of the Picos with wonderful views throughout.
The route starts with an hour's steady pull up to the col then it's a short descent and a long horizontal traverse into Cain. Fab views everywhere! In the summer it would be best to get the climb done before the heat of the day kicks in.
The practicalities; the walk is 12km long and has no short cuts - you either go on or go back. There is very little shade on the route and no drinking water - so you will need to carry what you need. There is a mountain stream at Cain where you can refill your bottles. There are no toilets en route, except at the start and finish. The walk is exposed so that if you have a fear of heights then have a think. The good news is that the path is sound and 2m wide so it's easy to stay safe. At the Cain end of the route the path ducks into a tunnel for 50m, so a torch or the light feature on your 'phone is useful. At the pretty village of Cain there is an array of cafés and restaurants selling all suspects at the usual prices.
There is plenty of on road parking at Poncebos Bridge - best to drive to the start of the walk, turn the car around and then pull into the next available space on the way back.
If you walk the route both ways - as most do - then it's 24 km but it's easy walking, 20km of that is a horizontal traverse along the cliff of the gorge. We started at 8.30 am and had returned by 4.30pm with an hour in Cains for lunch.
Written September 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flowerparra
Madrid, Spain13 contributions
Que hoteles o casa para dormir te recomendaríais?
Buenas tardes, mi pregunta es, empiezo en poncebos dirección CAIN , pero es necesario llegar hasta el final o.puedo dar la vuelta en algún momento y retroceder hasta poncebos, voy con niños y es por si decidimos dar la vuelta
Buenas tardes estamos pensando en hacer la ruta PONCEBOS-CAIN y me gustaría saber si hay auntobus que nos recoja allí y dejarnos en poncebos
MichaelRe_11
Kadima,Israel2 contributions
How can I order a shuttle to return from the finish point to the start point ( from Caín de Valdeón to Poncebos )?
Alguien a realizado la ruta del cares en mayo 2020?
Mario P
Santander, Spain19 contributions
En mayo no ha podido ser posible al tener que cambiar de C.A. de Castilla León a Asturias y viceversa... No será posible hasta nueva normalidad en ambas regiones
Kenisla
Los Angeles, CA74 contributions
I meant to ask also, vis a vis the Cares Gorge and Cain, if you folks think that it would feel too rushed to leave Potes in the morning, hike the Cares Gorge for five or six hours out of Cain, and then drive another hour or so to accommodation in Oseja de Sajambre? I wouldn't mind staying in Cain, but if the afternoon is still young, I don't want us to be bored in Cain with nothing much to do. IS there anything to do in Caín? Any good swimming holes? Good bar and restaurant?Thanks again!🙂
Kenisla
Los Angeles, CA74 contributions
We will be staying a night near Potes in mid-week in mid-July, then will drive to Cain in the morning, where we have a room booked and where we want to begin and end a long day hike in Cares Gorge. Just what are the odds that we'll find a parking spot in Cain? AFAIK the lodging has no parking of it's own, and we need to know what to expect. Will we need to wake up with the roosters in order to get to Cain early enough to park our car? Thanks!
BorisBrusselaar
Brussels, Belgium1,246 contributions
We did the route from poncebos to Cain, that majority do, so it’s not easy to find parking in Poncebos. But in Cain you shouldn’t have problem finding parking. The village is tiny and even if you leave your car a bit further away you’ll get to the gorge in less than 15 min.
We passed Cain twice in two different days and didn’t notice that there were lots of cars.
Carlos Lopes
Fortaleza, CE2 contributions
Buenas Noches, hay Autobus de Oviedo hasta Ruta del Cares?
Kristien
6 contributions
No estoy seguro, pero sí creo que se pueden solicitar camionetas
Belén
10 contributions
Que empresa recomendáis para hacer la ruta del cares??? queremos hacer la ida andando y la vuelta en todoterreno, gracias!
Ignacio Ares
La Coruna, Spain66 contributions
Empezad desde Caín.
Haced sólo 8 kilómetros y dar la vuelta.
Os ahorrareis la cuestaza final y no os perdereis nada de nada.
El trayecto en vehículo de Caín a Poncebos o viceversa es de 112 kilómetros.
Si lo hacéis como os comento quedareis totalmente satisfechos ya que vereis la parte más bonita de la ruta y sólo son 16 kilómetros en total.
Un saludo.
Ezequiel Vicent... G
Niteroi, RJ
Farei o caminho do Norte para Santiago. Como faço para chegar a Poncebos? De qual cidade do caminho devo sair
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Claim your listingLa Ruta del Cares (Poncebos) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about La Ruta del Cares
- Hotels near La Ruta del Cares:
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