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To discover Picos de Europa, e-bikes are a fantastic and highly recommended means of transport. It is also environmentally friendly and helps us to practice sustainable mobility: it reduces atmospheric pollution, the ecological footprint, and carbon emissions, and as well as being healthy, it is great fun. Come and enjoy ecotourism in the Valdeón Valley!
From Camping el Cares, we propose the e-bikes as the best option to enjoy the winding surroundings of Picos de Europa and especially the Valdeón Valley
Basically, there are many advantages that encourage us to use an e-bike, and to get to know the Valdeón Valley, we propose a route that we are sure will fascinate all those who dare to experience it. Do you want us to start preparing for the adventure?
During the day you will learn some curiosities about the history, customs, and festivities that brightened up the lives of the humble inhabitants of these lands. You will visit some places of architectural, ethnological, and even mythological interest, where only the imagination can determine the veracity of the facts. And, of course, we will finish by walking the famous Trail of the Cares, a route of incomparable beauty.
But there’s more!
Descent to Cain, the first stage of the Cares Trail, Picos de Europa, by e-bike
And the most interesting thing is that you will start enjoying from minute one, from the moment you take the first pedal on our electric mountain bikes, which offer the safety and comfort necessary to feel first-hand the wildest nature in the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park. The descent is done on safe and well-signposted paths, and sometimes you can opt for a forest track.
Directions for the descent to Cain
To begin with, we start the route from the campsite itself. Once we have crossed the bridge, we take the old road down to Posada de Valdeón, on the left-hand side.
Then, in about 3 km we will have passed Prada, and a little further on, after the church of Posada, we will turn left. After about 50 m, turn right. From this point, we can follow the parallel white and yellow signs.
A little further on, turn left to cross a small bridge over the river Cares. And here, a forest track begins for about three kilometers, which ends in a path, leaving us a little further down from Cordiñanes. This path has some points where it makes sense to get off the bike and walk a few meters.
And from here, the best thing to do is to enjoy the tarmac. It is a small winding road that will take us to the village of Caín.
Interesting stops in the Valdeón Valley
As well as visiting some villages that you will find on your way, such as Prada de Valdeón, Posada de Valdeón, and finally Caín, where you will enjoy beautiful stone houses in medieval style, old churches, and picturesque granaries, where the grain was kept. There are some points of interest that we recommend you make a stop to.
Viewpoint of Tombo
Chorco de los lobos (traditional wolf trap)
Moreover, as the views are so overwhelming that we must not allow our attention to be diverted from riding. There is always the possibility to stop the electric bike and enjoy the views that the Picos de Europa has to offer and even take a photograph in complete safety.
The Cares Gorge
Once in Cain, the first stage ends and you can store your electric bicycles in one of the guarded car parks in the area in Picos de Europa.
Another option is to leave them at Albergue Diablo de la Peña, where you can have a snack and replenish fluids and mineral salts before starting to walk along the Cares route. At the same time, you can make your lunch reservation. Bear in mind that in the middle of summer, the restaurants in the area fill up.
Although the Cares Gorge is not demanding in itself, as it is a flat and easy route. However, it can be difficult due to its length if we want to do it in its entirety (24 km). For this reason, and because the first 6 km are the most interesting, we recommend that the route be completed easily and save your energy for the return journey.
A stop for lunch and back to the campsite
After satisfying our most primal instincts with the succulent gastronomy of the area, we will get ready to really put the electric bikes to the test on the slopes of Picos de Europa.
As you have already seen on the descent to Cain, the gradient is worthy of the most intrepid and experienced cyclists. It is an unthinkable slope for 90% of mortals. But today, thanks to pedal-assist electric bicycles, we can take on this challenge without it being an extreme challenge. We will tackle the climb without suffering, transforming the bitter part of the route into a pleasure almost as pleasurable as the descent.
Our advice is that the return journey should be made along the road. From Posada de Valdeón, we can pass through Prada de Valdeón and enjoy the charm of this small village. From Prada to Santa Marina de Valdeón, avoid the new road. We will try to go up the old road, it is safer as there are no cars circulating normally.
In addition to enjoying the scenery, listen to the flowing waters of the Cares or the birds singing. This is undoubtedly the best way to move around a National Park without disturbing its inhabitants.
Rental prices for electric bicycles in Picos de Europa:
3 hours …………………………………………………… € 40
1 whole day…………………………………………. € 55
