Monday, July 08, 2013
Picos de Europa Day 2- Tuesday 28th May
After consulting the weather, Juan concluded that the best course of action for today would be to walk the Cares Gorge as this does not involve any real climbing. The Cares Gorge is a spectacular gorge that was gouged out during the ice age and reaches almost a mile deep in parts. The Cares River, which runs through it, has been partially diverted for hydro-electric power and water now runs through a canal carved out of the rock towards the power station at Poncebos. An access path has been blasted out of the rock and runs through the gorge, high above the river, from Poncebos to Cain. It has fast become one of the most popular walks in the Picos and it's not difficult to see why.
Approximately 15 kilometres in length, around a metre wide with sheer drops to the river far below, it is not an easy walk for vertigo sufferers! Our intention was to walk from Poncebos to Cain and then retrace our steps, making for a fairly easy but long walk.
As we reached Poncebos it was obvious that the weather was going to be changeable- we would be walking in bright sunshine for a little while, then the clouds would roll in and it would pour for 15 minutes or so. The first part of the path involves a climb, and once at the crest the path can be clearly seen snaking round a huge cliff. This is when it becomes really spectacular and although the path is wider than it looks at a distance, you are aware of the huge drop off the edge. It was fairly quiet when we walked it bit Juan told us it's heaving in July and August- wouldn't really fancy edging my way past hordes of people!!
The Cares Gorge Path
We followed the path as it snaked round the cliff, past a fallen natural arch and through a series of rock arches. The views were spectacular!
Towards Cain there are a series of bridges to cross as the path swings from one side of the gorge to the other. There are also a few tunnels to negotiate- dark and damp, it felt like a real adventure as I stumbled along not knowing where to place my feet!
Tunnels Blasted Out Of The Rock
Finally we descended into Cain, and had welcome beers and plates of chips in the restaurant there. We bumped into an Exodus group doing the same walk- we were to meet them again during the week!
Walking back the same way certainly wasn't boring as completely different views opened up- at one point a rainbow appeared below us, making for a completely magical scene.
The Rainbow
Juan told us that although the path is fairly short, getting between Poncebos to Cain involves a long trip round the mountains, and too many people walk the path and decide to call for a taxi to take them back, not realising that it will set them back around 200 euros!
It felt quite good to walk there and back under our own steam. We toasted our achievement with a beer at Poncebos and hoped that the weather would continue to be kind to us.
As we reached Poncebos it was obvious that the weather was going to be changeable- we would be walking in bright sunshine for a little while, then the clouds would roll in and it would pour for 15 minutes or so. The first part of the path involves a climb, and once at the crest the path can be clearly seen snaking round a huge cliff. This is when it becomes really spectacular and although the path is wider than it looks at a distance, you are aware of the huge drop off the edge. It was fairly quiet when we walked it bit Juan told us it's heaving in July and August- wouldn't really fancy edging my way past hordes of people!!
We followed the path as it snaked round the cliff, past a fallen natural arch and through a series of rock arches. The views were spectacular!
Towards Cain there are a series of bridges to cross as the path swings from one side of the gorge to the other. There are also a few tunnels to negotiate- dark and damp, it felt like a real adventure as I stumbled along not knowing where to place my feet!
Finally we descended into Cain, and had welcome beers and plates of chips in the restaurant there. We bumped into an Exodus group doing the same walk- we were to meet them again during the week!
Walking back the same way certainly wasn't boring as completely different views opened up- at one point a rainbow appeared below us, making for a completely magical scene.
Juan told us that although the path is fairly short, getting between Poncebos to Cain involves a long trip round the mountains, and too many people walk the path and decide to call for a taxi to take them back, not realising that it will set them back around 200 euros!
It felt quite good to walk there and back under our own steam. We toasted our achievement with a beer at Poncebos and hoped that the weather would continue to be kind to us.
Labels: Cares Gorge, Picos de Europa
