The route of the Cares
The “Divine Throat” born in Valdeón
The route of the Cares
The “Divine Throat” born in Valdeón
The path of the river Cares
The Cares River is one of the symbols of the bravery of these lands. Its deep and impressive bed makes its way from Valdeón between the powerful and immense limestone masses of the Massifs Central and Occidental of the Peaks of Europe, leaving among its high mountains a huge but narrow cut known as the “Gorge of the Cares” or “Garganta Divina”, that reaches to overcome the 2000 meters of altitude difference between its bed and the highest summits of the Peaks of Europe. Under these stony Farayones and on the river a path carved into the rock runs along the entire Cares gorge, forming one of the most classical hiking trails of the Iberian peninsula.
The route of the Cares
The well-known route of the Cares crosses in its route one of the most impressive natural spaces of all the Cantabrian Mountain Range, traveling through the towns of Posada de Valdeón, Cordiñanes and Cain in the area of León, to finish in the town of Poncebos, already on the Asturian side of Picos de Europa.
In addition to spectacular landscapes and botanical and geological singularities, with which it has earned the nickname: “The Divine Throat of the Cares.” , in it you can see interesting cultural and historical resources such as the necropolis of Barrejo, the Chorco de los Lobos, or the Hermitage of Corona, the latter located in the place where is presumed crowned Don Pelayo.
The route of the Cares
The well-known route of the Cares crosses in its route one of the most impressive natural spaces of all the Cantabrian Mountain Range, traveling through the towns of Posada de Valdeón, Cordiñanes and Cain in the area of León, to finish in the town of Poncebos, already on the Asturian side of Picos de Europa.
In addition to spectacular landscapes and botanical and geological singularities, with which it has earned the nickname: “The Divine Throat of the Cares.” , in it you can see interesting cultural and historical resources such as the necropolis of Barrejo, the Chorco de los Lobos, or the Hermitage of Corona, the latter located in the place where is presumed crowned Don Pelayo.
MAPA DE LA RUTA
GPS COORDINATES: Caín 43.213400, -4.905240
ROUTE PR-PNPE 3The route of the Cares
Signposted as a PR-PNPE 3 trail through National Parks, the Cares route runs between the Leonese town of Posada de Valdeón and the nearby Asturian town of Poncebos. This is an online route which, if carried out in its entirety, means a 21 km hike. It will therefore be necessary to provide for additional transport cover if one wishes to return to the place of departure. Indicate that the distance by road between the two towns exceeds 100 km, in a journey that takes approximately 2 hours.
Alternatives
Due to the characteristics of the route and the characteristics of the territory through which it runs, it is possible to divide the route into two distinct sections or stages, which allows for better transport logistics and various options that make it more convenient to travel along this path that runs along the Cares River.
PR-PNPE 3 - ROUTE OF THE CARES - SECTIONS
Posada de Valdeón (930 m) – Caín (460 m).
Required time: hours (one way).
Slope: 480 m, practically all downhill.
Route: 9 away.
From Posada de Valdeón to Cain the route runs alternating roads with some stretch of road between prairie areas and Atlantic forest. On the way to Cain, you pass different points of interest such as the Tombo viewpoint, the Chorco de los lobos or the Corona hermitage. It is possible to save this stretch by car to Cain.
In detail section 1
From Posada de Valdeón to Caín
We leave Posada de Valdeón in a northern direction to cross the bridge down the village that over the river Cares allows us to reach the opposite bank. We will follow the Camino del Bustio, known as the Camino del Bustio, which leads north along the left bank of the Cares River to the vicinity of the Cordiñanes mini reservoir.
The road continues now skirting the reservoir on its left side, leaving behind the dam of the same one. From this point the river precipitates downhill while the road we take maintains its height. Later it begins to descend in front of the town of Cordiñanes.
The road that joins Posada de Valdeón and Cain is reached soon, already surpassed the town of Cordiñanes. Crossing it we continue for a new trace of road that takes us in a few minutes until mirador of the Tombo, from where there are excellent views to the massifs central and western of the Peaks of Europe.
From the viewpoint the path continues its descent until crossing again the road, descending then for a strong slope in front of the rocky spur of the Aguja María del Carmen, place in which the Vía Ferrata of Valdeón is installed. A spectacular Tibetan bridge over the narrow Cares River points to the entrance to this sports facility.
Leaving behind the access to the via ferrata, the road continues its descent until it reaches again the road of Cain. The itinerary now continues along a stretch of road to reach a new road* which on our right leaves the asphalt road towards the Cares River.
*At this point you can choose to continue on the asphalt for a few minutes to visit the singular enclave of the Chorco de los Lobos, a peculiar and ingenious trap to hunt wolves with several centuries of history. Next to the Chorco there is also a point of infromation of the Picos de Europa National Park.
After visiting this unique ethnographic exhibition of the Valdeón Valley, you will have to retrace a stretch of road until you return to the path left behind, which leads to the Cares River.
Again on the route a bridge helps us to cross the river Cares for a little later wading the stream Mermejo. A small wooden bridge allows to cross this stream in case of floods. Soon after we reached the hermitage of Corona, located in the place where they say they crowned King Pelayo.
From Corona the route now travels along a road close to the meadows, going further into the forest becoming a path that after a stretch of ascent descends to the bridge of Santiján, which allows us to cross the river Cares again to reach the road of Cain, which we will not abandon until we reach the locality.
Caín (460 m) – Poncebos (235 m).
Time required: : 3 hours and 30 minutes (one way).
Slope: 100 m uphill and 300 m downhill.
Travel time: 12 km.
This stretch is the most visited and narrow of the route, and the one that has given it the fame of «Divine Throat». Starting from Cain and as a consequence of the channelling of the river Cares at the beginning of the twentieth century, the path was built that today runs wedged between huge farayones along a road carved in the rock, which crosses the gorge of the river Cares through tunnels and vertigo bridges.
In detail tranche 2
The Route from Cain to Poncebos
We leave the village of Cain following the course of the river Cares, which we will cross by the bridge of the Pinteros. At the front, the beauty of the gorge begins to become evident, warning those who are travelling for the first time on this route of the amazing landscape that they will have the opportunity to contemplate.
Just a few minutes later you reach the bridge of the dam that retains the water of the Cares, we are at the beginning of the Cares Gorge.
The river runs from this point and after crossing the bridge over the dam we enter the incredible tunnels, which, taken from the rock, allow us to save a first stretch of the landscape of vertical savages in which we are entering.
After crossing the humid tunnels, we reach the Casielles village, a place where a huge channel opens up on our right, which ascends to the high summits of the Massif Central de Picos de Europa, the Dobresengos Channel, one of the longest in Picos.
Continuing along the comfortable path of the Cares, the Rebecos bridge awaits us, surely one of the best known and most widespread images of the route.
After crossing the bridge, the path continues winding until reaching the bridge of Bolín, through which we will cross the deep sickle that opens under its structure. We are in one of the most impressive points of the route, wherever we look everything is already narrow, rock and abyss, but the road invites us to continue advancing.
The trail now takes us to Culiembro. A hut designed for the guards of the electric company, will be a good place to take a breath and replenish forces.
Culiembro
Culiembro will be the turning point for those who are making a comfortable round-trip option from Cain.
Continuing along the route will undoubtedly be a temptation given the landscape show, but it is important to take into account the time invested up to here and the physical preparation and strength you have, especially if you are doing the route with the children. Cain from Culiembro is already 6 km away.
Continuing on to Poncebos
Continuing in the direction of Poncebos we pass by the Portiella, border of the provinces of León and Asturias.
The Gorge is now a little more open than on the Leonese slope, but just as imposing. After crossing Armaduras, an area of peaks and cliffs with the river in the background, you reach the Murallón de Amuesa. Its walls with more than 1000 m. of fall overhead.
How to take the route from Valdeón?
If you have two days, the most recommended and comfortable option is to organize the route in two stages, as this allows you to enjoy the journey without excessive effort or time constraints, making the most of the pleasant ride that is this route along the river Cares. In the valley there is also a wide variety of accommodation to rest between the stages.
Of the two proposed stages the first section (9 km) is the least frequented, but it is the one that allows a simpler transport logistics because both localities are connected by road, allowing to organize with two vehicles to return to Posada de Valdeón or to hire for it one of the taxi services available in the valley.
In contrast to the second section, between Cain and Poncebos (12 km), it is the most traveled but also the one with the greatest problems in transport logistics, since to return to Cain from Poncebos, or do it again along the route, which will mean a total walk of 24 km (for a person accustomed in times can suppose about 6h and a half of walk), or it will be necessary to have a means of transport in Poncebos to face the 100 km of road (about two hours by car) that separate this locality from that of Cain.
A fairly common option is to plan with one of the taxi services available in the Valdeón Valley the transfer first thing in the morning to Poncebos, to start from there the tour. This is a good alternative since it allows to make with the cool of the morning the section most exposed to the sun of the route, enjoying this way during the afternoon of the grateful areas of Umbria that allow the tunnels and narrows of the area closer to Cain.
Another possibility, and perhaps the most chosen by hikers and mountaineers, is to make only part of the route from Cain in the direction of Poncebos, until arriving at the Culiembro channel, point in which you return again to Cain. This option, practically flat, is ideal for families and with children, as it requires little effort and enjoys the most beautiful and narrow sections of the gorge, with its bridges and tunnels on a journey of only about 12 km between return.
METEO
TIPS
- It is advisable to wear good footwear to make the route, better light boots than sneakers.
- In summer the heat can be suffocating from midday and the shade is scarce along the route. It is important to be provided with plenty of water to hydrate.
- Depending on the pace and more if you go with children to travel the route you can use more time than estimated, especially if you are going to do in any of the options in the direction of return. Having food in the backpack is necessary.
TAXI SERVICE
When planning your activities in the Valdeón Valley the Taxi services of the municipality can greatly facilitate the organization of the same.
Do not hesitate to consult them, and if you will have their services let them know in advance.
CAUTION
Section Caín – Poncebos
- Although the path does not have complications to walk, it is necessary to pay due attention during its journey, because there will be numerous crossings with other walkers and any cluelessness can cause a risk situation.
- If you are taking the excursion with children or crossing them, make sure that they always walk on the side closest to the wall. Avoid racing or games that can cause a fall or distract them from the road. The route lacks railings that can prevent an eventual exit from the path.
- Heavy rain or the presence of goats or wild animals such as the chamois above the path, can cause the sliding of some loose stone. Keep an eye out for those situations.
RESTRICTION
IMPORTANT NOTICE
For safety for hikers
IT IS NOT ALLOWED TO CYCLE THE STRETCH BETWEEN CAIN AND PONCEBOS
BATHING IN THE WATER CANAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED
ACTIVE TOURISM COMPANIES
If you wish you can count on guide services for your adventure activities. In the valley there are several companies specialized in activities like treking, hiking, ferrata, climbing, routes 4×4. Inform yourself!
ROUTE PR-PNPE 3The route of the Cares
Signposted as a PR-PNPE 3 trail through National Parks, the Cares route runs between the Leonese town of Posada de Valdeón and the nearby Asturian town of Poncebos. This is an online route which, if carried out in its entirety, means a 21 km hike. It will therefore be necessary to provide for additional transport cover if one wishes to return to the place of departure. Indicate that the distance by road between the two towns exceeds 100 km, in a journey that takes approximately 2 hours.
Alternatives
Due to the characteristics of the route and the characteristics of the territory through which it runs, it is possible to divide the route into two distinct sections or stages, which allows for better transport logistics and various options that make it more convenient to travel along this path that runs along the Cares River.
PR-PNPE 3 - ROUTE OF THE CARES - SECTIONS
Posada de Valdeón (930 m) – Caín (460 m).
Required time: hours (one way).
Slope: 480 m, practically all downhill.
Route: 9 away.
From Posada de Valdeón to Cain the route runs alternating roads with some stretch of road between prairie areas and Atlantic forest. On the way to Cain, you pass different points of interest such as the Tombo viewpoint, the Chorco de los lobos or the Corona hermitage. It is possible to save this stretch by car to Cain.
In detail section 1
From Posada de Valdeón to Caín
We leave Posada de Valdeón in a northern direction to cross the bridge down the village that over the river Cares allows us to reach the opposite bank. We will follow the Camino del Bustio, known as the Camino del Bustio, which leads north along the left bank of the Cares River to the vicinity of the Cordiñanes mini reservoir.
The road continues now skirting the reservoir on its left side, leaving behind the dam of the same one. From this point the river precipitates downhill while the road we take maintains its height. Later it begins to descend in front of the town of Cordiñanes.
The road that joins Posada de Valdeón and Cain is reached soon, already surpassed the town of Cordiñanes. Crossing it we continue for a new trace of road that takes us in a few minutes until mirador of the Tombo, from where there are excellent views to the massifs central and western of the Peaks of Europe.
From the viewpoint the path continues its descent until crossing again the road, descending then for a strong slope in front of the rocky spur of the Aguja María del Carmen, place in which the Vía Ferrata of Valdeón is installed. A spectacular Tibetan bridge over the narrow Cares River points to the entrance to this sports facility.
Leaving behind the access to the via ferrata, the road continues its descent until it reaches again the road of Cain. The itinerary now continues along a stretch of road to reach a new road* which on our right leaves the asphalt road towards the Cares River.
*At this point you can choose to continue on the asphalt for a few minutes to visit the singular enclave of the Chorco de los Lobos, a peculiar and ingenious trap to hunt wolves with several centuries of history. Next to the Chorco there is also a point of infromation of the Picos de Europa National Park.
After visiting this unique ethnographic exhibition of the Valdeón Valley, you will have to retrace a stretch of road until you return to the path left behind, which leads to the Cares River.
Again on the route a bridge helps us to cross the river Cares for a little later wading the stream Mermejo. A small wooden bridge allows to cross this stream in case of floods. Soon after we reached the hermitage of Corona, located in the place where they say they crowned King Pelayo.
From Corona the route now travels along a road close to the meadows, going further into the forest becoming a path that after a stretch of ascent descends to the bridge of Santiján, which allows us to cross the river Cares again to reach the road of Cain, which we will not abandon until we reach the locality.
Caín (460 m) – Poncebos (235 m).
Time required: : 3 hours and 30 minutes (one way).
Slope: 100 m uphill and 300 m downhill.
Travel time: 12 km.
This stretch is the most visited and narrow of the route, and the one that has given it the fame of «Divine Throat». Starting from Cain and as a consequence of the channelling of the river Cares at the beginning of the twentieth century, the path was built that today runs wedged between huge farayones along a road carved in the rock, which crosses the gorge of the river Cares through tunnels and vertigo bridges.
In detail tranche 2
The Route from Cain to Poncebos
We leave the village of Cain following the course of the river Cares, which we will cross by the bridge of the Pinteros. At the front, the beauty of the gorge begins to become evident, warning those who are travelling for the first time on this route of the amazing landscape that they will have the opportunity to contemplate.
Just a few minutes later you reach the bridge of the dam that retains the water of the Cares, we are at the beginning of the Cares Gorge.
The river runs from this point and after crossing the bridge over the dam we enter the incredible tunnels, which, taken from the rock, allow us to save a first stretch of the landscape of vertical savages in which we are entering.
After crossing the humid tunnels, we reach the Casielles village, a place where a huge channel opens up on our right, which ascends to the high summits of the Massif Central de Picos de Europa, the Dobresengos Channel, one of the longest in Picos.
Continuing along the comfortable path of the Cares, the Rebecos bridge awaits us, surely one of the best known and most widespread images of the route.
After crossing the bridge, the path continues winding until reaching the bridge of Bolín, through which we will cross the deep sickle that opens under its structure. We are in one of the most impressive points of the route, wherever we look everything is already narrow, rock and abyss, but the road invites us to continue advancing.
The trail now takes us to Culiembro. A hut designed for the guards of the electric company, will be a good place to take a breath and replenish forces.
Culiembro
Culiembro will be the turning point for those who are making a comfortable round-trip option from Cain.
Continuing along the route will undoubtedly be a temptation given the landscape show, but it is important to take into account the time invested up to here and the physical preparation and strength you have, especially if you are doing the route with the children. Cain from Culiembro is already 6 km away.
Continuing on to Poncebos
Continuing in the direction of Poncebos we pass by the Portiella, border of the provinces of León and Asturias.
The Gorge is now a little more open than on the Leonese slope, but just as imposing. After crossing Armaduras, an area of peaks and cliffs with the river in the background, you reach the Murallón de Amuesa. Its walls with more than 1000 m. of fall overhead.
How to take the route from Valdeón?
If you have two days, the most recommended and comfortable option is to organize the route in two stages, as this allows you to enjoy the journey without excessive effort or time constraints, making the most of the pleasant ride that is this route along the river Cares. In the valley there is also a wide variety of accommodation to rest between the stages.
Of the two proposed stages the first section (9 km) is the least frequented, but it is the one that allows a simpler transport logistics because both localities are connected by road, allowing to organize with two vehicles to return to Posada de Valdeón or to hire for it one of the taxi services available in the valley.
In contrast to the second section, between Cain and Poncebos (12 km), it is the most traveled but also the one with the greatest problems in transport logistics, since to return to Cain from Poncebos, or do it again along the route, which will mean a total walk of 24 km (for a person accustomed in times can suppose about 6h and a half of walk), or it will be necessary to have a means of transport in Poncebos to face the 100 km of road (about two hours by car) that separate this locality from that of Cain.
A fairly common option is to plan with one of the taxi services available in the Valdeón Valley the transfer first thing in the morning to Poncebos, to start from there the tour. This is a good alternative since it allows to make with the cool of the morning the section most exposed to the sun of the route, enjoying this way during the afternoon of the grateful areas of Umbria that allow the tunnels and narrows of the area closer to Cain.
Another possibility, and perhaps the most chosen by hikers and mountaineers, is to make only part of the route from Cain in the direction of Poncebos, until arriving at the Culiembro channel, point in which you return again to Cain. This option, practically flat, is ideal for families and with children, as it requires little effort and enjoys the most beautiful and narrow sections of the gorge, with its bridges and tunnels on a journey of only about 12 km between return.
METEO
TIPS
- It is advisable to wear good footwear to make the route, better light boots than sneakers.
- In summer the heat can be suffocating from midday and the shade is scarce along the route. It is important to be provided with plenty of water to hydrate.
- Depending on the pace and more if you go with children to travel the route you can use more time than estimated, especially if you are going to do in any of the options in the direction of return. Having food in the backpack is necessary.
TAXI SERVICE
When planning your activities in the Valdeón Valley the Taxi services of the municipality can greatly facilitate the organization of the same.
Do not hesitate to consult them, and if you will have their services let them know in advance.
CAUTION
Section Caín – Poncebos
- Although the path does not have complications to walk, it is necessary to pay due attention during its journey, because there will be numerous crossings with other walkers and any cluelessness can cause a risk situation.
- If you are taking the excursion with children or crossing them, make sure that they always walk on the side closest to the wall. Avoid racing or games that can cause a fall or distract them from the road. The route lacks railings that can prevent an eventual exit from the path.
- Heavy rain or the presence of goats or wild animals such as the chamois above the path, can cause the sliding of some loose stone. Keep an eye out for those situations.
RESTRICTION
IMPORTANT NOTICE
For safety for hikers
IT IS NOT ALLOWED TO CYCLE THE STRETCH BETWEEN CAIN AND PONCEBOS
BATHING IN THE WATER CANAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED
ACTIVE TOURISM COMPANIES
If you wish you can count on guide services for your adventure activities. In the valley there are several companies specialized in activities like treking, hiking, ferrata, climbing, routes 4×4. Inform yourself!
