The Picos de Europa, also called the "Peaks of Europe," are a mountain range that stretches about 20 kilometers (12 miles). They are part of the Cantabrian Mountains in northern Spain. This range is located in the regions of Asturias, Cantabria, and Castile and León. The tallest mountain in the range is Torre de Cerredo, which reaches an elevation of 2,650 meters (8,690 feet).

Name

The name of this mountain range is believed to come from the fact that it was the first sight of Europe for ships traveling from the Americas. This idea is linked to Lucio Marineo Sículo, who wrote about the "Rupes Europae" in 1530. Later, Ambrosio Morales, a historian for King Felipe II of Spain, referred to the mountains as "Montañas de Europa" in 1572. In 1601, Prudencio de Sandoval called them "Peñas o Sierras de Europa."

The name also has roots in ancient history. Long ago, this mountainous area was home to different groups of people, including the Cantabri, an ancient Celtic tribe. The Cantabri were known for fighting against Roman armies and living a hard life in the mountains.

Geography

The range includes three main mountain areas: Central (also called Urrieles), Eastern (Ándara), and Western (also known as Picos de Cornión). The Central and Western areas are divided by the Cares Gorge, which is 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles) deep. The village of Caín is located at the top of the gorge. Most of the water in the Cares River comes from natural springs inside caves. Some of the river’s water is directed through a system that uses water to produce electricity. A canal runs along the northern side of the gorge to the town of Camarmeña.

Most of the rock in the Picos de Europa is limestone. Glaciers moving over the area helped form a striking landscape with caves and sinkholes, known as alpine karst. The highest point is Torre de Cerredo, which reaches 2,650 meters (43°11′51″N 4°51′06″W). Many other peaks are more than 2,600 meters high. The area is a popular place for hiking, climbing, and mountain walking. There are many well-marked mountain shelters available for visitors. A famous climbing spot is the Naranjo de Bulnes, also called Picu Urriellu, located in the Urrieles massif. This climb is often considered the most famous in Spain.

In Vega de Liordes, a region within the León area of Picos de Europa that belongs to the Posada de Valdeón municipality, the lowest temperature recorded was −35.8 °C (−32.4 °F) on January 7, 2021.

Nature

Cantabrian brown bears (Ursus arctos pyrenaicus) and wolves (Canis lupus signatus) live in more remote areas. Rebeccos (Cantabrian chamois – Rupicapra pyrenaica parva) are often seen. A 2006 report by the Ministry of the Environment recorded about 8,000 sightings of Rebeccos that year. Choughs and buzzards are common in the area. Various types of eagles and vultures are frequently seen. The park is home to many different types of butterflies.

Most of the region is now protected as one national park called Picos de Europa, located in the provinces of Cantabria, Asturias, and León in Spain. The part of the park in Asturias was Spain’s first national park. Access to the park is through small roads leading to each of the three mountain ranges. From the south, visitors can reach the park via the aerial tramway at Fuente Dé and to Caín, which is at the entrance of the Cares Canyon.

Caves

The Picos de Europa is mostly made of limestone. It has at least 3,648 caves connected by 355 kilometers of tunnels. Of these, 235 caves are between 100 and 500 meters deep, 55 caves are between 500 and 1,000 meters deep, and 14 shafts are deeper than 1 kilometer. Some of the deepest caves include Torca del Cerro (−1589 m), Sima de la Cornisa (−1507 m), Torca los Rebecos (−1255 m), and Pozo del Madejuno (−1252 m). People continue to discover and explore new caves in the area.

Gastronomy

The Picos support a small number of shepherds who move their sheep, goats, cows, and sometimes a pig up from the valleys during the summer. The area is famous for its tasty blue cheeses, such as Cabrales cheese and Picón Bejes-Tresviso.

Gallery

• The village of Turieno is located at the foot of the Picos de Europa.
• Lamedo is situated in Liébana, Cantabria.
• Asturian sheep are grazing in the Picos de Europa.
• Sotres is a location in Asturias.
• Cantabrian chamois live in the Picos de Europa.
• Mustela nivalis is found in the Picos de Europa.
• The Picos de Europa can be viewed from Peña Vieja.
• Urriellu Peak (Naranjo de Bulnes) is visible from Pozo de La Oración.
• Lake Enol is a body of water in the region.
• A remote road is located within the Picos de Europa.