Leon Natural Parks
Parque Regional y Nacional de Picos de Europa
This is one of most rugged and characterful areas in the Iberian
Peninsula. Situated in between Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla
y León, the Picos de Europa are one of Spain's major natural
treasures.
The Picos de Europa contain three highly distinct massifs: the
western, del Cornión, the central, de los Urrieles and
the eastern, de Andara. The greater part of the first two massifs
lies within the borders of Castilla y León.
The park's proud and challenging silhouettes are sculpted from
ancient grey Palaeozoic limestone. Some of the higher peaks of
the region include Torre Cerredo, El Llambrión, Torre Blanca
and La Peña Santa de Castilla. These four summits exceed
2,500 metres in altitude.
To the South of the main area of the Picos de Europa, there is
another series of mountain ranges, in particular the Picos de
Mampodre and the Picachos de Yordas y Gilbo, which rise over the
picturesque valleys of the rivers Porma and Esta. This magnificent
collection of mountain landscape corresponds to the Regional Park
of the Picos de Europa.
In rocky areas, visitors can still observe what were the effects
of intense glacial and karstic moulding, and the immense beech
and oak woods covering the lower parts of the park provide refuge
for numerous different animal species, most notably, bears, chamois
and capercaillie.
Under the limestone peaks, in the Leonese valleys of Valdeón
and Sajambre, the rivers Sella and Cares have created steep cliffs
of incredible beauty, forming an impressive landscape. The gorge
of La Garganta del Cares, also known as the Garganta Divina del
Cares ("divine gorge"), is one of the most interesting
landscapes in the Iberian Peninsula. The best way to get to know
these places is to journey through them on foot.
Leon guide