Picos de Europa

Before you go

• At peak times the road to the Lagos de Covadonga is open only to buses. Barriers also close outside those hours once the car parks reach 90 percent capacity.
• Media reports list motorhomes among the private vehicles kept off that road in summer. Check the current rules with the national park authority before you go.
• Camping is prohibited inside the park. Sleeping in a motorhome is reported to be possible only at designated areas; rules differ by municipality.

Planning

The park lies in three autonomous communities: Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León. It was founded in 1918 as Spain's first national park and covers roughly 670 km². The highest summit is Torre de Cerredo at 2,648 m. Oviedo, Santander and León are the larger cities for arrival. The valleys are narrow, so choose the approach that suits your vehicle and ask the park authority about current access rules.

Camping

Camping is prohibited in the national park. Media reports say that overnight stays in a motorhome are possible at designated areas on the park's edge, for example near Cangas de Onís and in Posada de Valdeón. Whether and for how long is set by the municipality and the region. Regular campsites in the valleys are the safer choice. Check the rules locally before you settle in.

Getting around

The road to the Lagos de Covadonga is narrow and winding. The Ministry for the Ecological Transition (MITECO) regulates access at peak times through a bus service. Special buses also serve Poncebos, Tielve and Sotres. Access to the Covadonga Sanctuary stays free but depends on available parking. The exact periods and timetables are published by the national park service.

FAQs