# Picos de Europa: the Cares gorge, Liébana and Fuente Dé

> 4-day road trip of about 129 km (80 mi) with 9 stops, from Cangas de Onís to Riaño. About 1 h 47 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b13-picos-de-europa/

**At a glance:** 4-day road trip of about 129 km (80 mi) with 9 stops, from Cangas de Onís to Riaño. About 1 h 47 min of driving in total. A loop through the Picos de Europa: the Cares trail, the Hermida gorge, the monastery of Liébana and the cable car at Fuente Dé.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 129 km (80 mi) |
| Driving | 1 h 47 min |
| Suggested days | 4 |
| Stops | 9 |
| Route | Cangas de Onís → Riaño |
| Countries | Spain |
| Updated | June 29, 2026 |

## Route description

From Cangas de Onís drive up to Covadonga and the lakes above it. In summer, at Easter and on busy weekends the lake road is closed to private cars for most of the day and a park-and-ride bus runs from the valley, so check the schedule. Then take the AS-114 east along the northern edge of the massif to Arenas de Cabrales, home of the strong blue Cabrales cheese matured in mountain caves.

From Arenas a short road runs south to Poncebos, the start of the Cares trail. Walking the whole gorge to Caín and back is about 24 km; many people turn round after an hour or two. The Bulnes funicular, inside the mountain, also leaves from Poncebos. Parking is limited, so arrive before 9 am in summer. Back on the AS-114, continue east to Panes and turn south on the N-621.

The N-621 threads the La Hermida gorge for about 20 km, then opens into the green Liébana valley at Potes, a stone town on the Deva with a medieval tower. Just above it is the monastery of Santo Toribio. Then follow the CA-185 for 23 km to Fuente Dé, a dead end under huge walls. Take the cable car up early and walk the easy track across the high plateau towards the Horcadina de Covarrobres.

To close the loop, drive back to Potes and over the San Glorio pass on the N-621 (1,609 m), which can have snow into spring, down to the reservoir town of Riaño in León. From Riaño the N-625 leads back north through the Beyos gorge to Cangas de Onís, about 70 km. Most of these roads are fine for motorhomes if you take your time, though the Beyos gorge is narrow; watch for cows and cyclists.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Cangas de Onís** (Spain)
2. **Lagos de Covadonga** (Covadonga, Spain): Two glacial lakes in the Picos de Europa. Private cars are restricted in peak season, so take the bus.
3. **Arenas de Cabrales** (Spain)
4. **Cares Gorge trail (Poncebos)** (Arenas de Cabrales, Spain): A path carved into the cliffs of the Cares gorge, 12 km one way from Poncebos to Caín and mostly level after the first climb. Arrive early for parking at Poncebos; the Bulnes funicular leaves from the same spot.
5. **La Hermida gorge** (Peñarrubia, Spain): The N-621 follows the Deva river for about 20 km through one of Spain’s longest gorges, with limestone walls several hundred metres high. The road is good but narrow in places; use the lay-bys to stop.
6. **Potes** (Spain)
7. **Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana** (Potes, Spain): A Romanesque and Gothic monastery above Potes that keeps what is venerated as the largest surviving fragment of the True Cross. The road up is short and paved; walk on to the hermitage of San Miguel for valley views.
8. **Fuente Dé cable car** (Camaleño, Spain): A cable car that climbs 753 m up a sheer wall to the El Cable viewpoint at 1,823 m in about four minutes. Queues are long in August; go at opening time and bring layers for the top.
9. **Riaño** (Spain)

## FAQs

**How long is Picos de Europa: the Cares gorge, Liébana and Fuente Dé?**
4-day road trip of about 129 km (80 mi) with 9 stops, from Cangas de Onís to Riaño. About 1 h 47 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Picos de Europa: the Cares gorge, Liébana and Fuente Dé?**
We suggest 4 days: about 1 h 47 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Picos de Europa: the Cares gorge, Liébana and Fuente Dé start and end?**
It starts in Cangas de Onís and ends in Riaño.

**Which countries does Picos de Europa: the Cares gorge, Liébana and Fuente Dé pass through?**
Spain.