Divine Gorge
Towering walls.
Falk2 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Falk2 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bhavagati — CC BY-SA 3.0 es · Karen Franco Manriquez — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Manuel Velazquez — CC BY 3.0
The Cares Trail is one of the most popular hiking paths in the Picos de Europa of northern Spain, between León and Asturias, about 24 km from the centre of the Picos de Europa hub in a straight line. It runs from the Asturian village of Puente Poncebos to Caín in León along the Cares gorge. The path was cut into the mountain rock between 1916 and 1921 to maintain and supply a hydroelectric plant, then improved and widened between 1945 and 1950. It was once the only way between the two villages in the snowy season. The gorge is nicknamed the Divine Gorge, and the path runs about 11 km at mid-height on the canyon walls, counted among the most beautiful natural sites in Spain. The rock-cut path runs along the edge of towering limestone walls, with the clear green Cares river hundreds of metres below. It crosses suspension bridges and short tunnels carved into the mountain, with sharp grey peaks all around. Visitors walk all or part of it and return, the full route being about 22 km there and back. The drops are big and unfenced in many places, so keep away from the edge and carry plenty of water.
Towering walls.
Over the river.
In the rock.
Poncebos, Asturias, Spain
About 22 km there and back.
Edges are unfenced; keep away from them.