Water Sports in Picos de Europa National Park: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You

Situated on Spain’s northern coastline on the border of Asturias, Cantabria and Castile y Leon, Picos de Europa National Park is full of mountainous terrain and rivers that are perfect for canyoning and other water sports.

Plenty of emerald-green pools present themselves as the perfect spot for this combination sport of climbing abseiling, jumping, swimming and hiking. However, the sport can only be practiced in certain spots, which is why hiring a guide will save you time and possibly a hefty fine.

Starting from the small town of Arriondas, some of the stunningly beautiful national park’s best canyoning is easily accessible with only a drive of 1.5 hours or so. Rubo Canyon is among the most popular spots for canyoning in the park.

Along with canyoning, white water rafting on certain sections of the park’s various rivers is another popular activity.

Stunning scenery

There is a reason that Picos de Europa National Park is one of the oldest in Spain and that’s partly because of the immaculate beauty of the landscape. Enjoy stunning mountain and alpine valley views on the approach, before heading into the canyons and getting a slightly different perspective on this beautiful locale.

Plenty of variety

No matter what kind water-related adventure you prefer, Picos de Europa National Park is sure not to disappoint. There are emerald-green pools at the bottom of mini waterfalls that are perfect for swimming and jumping into. Surrounding rock walls serve as excellent spots for climbing and abseiling. Where the river widens, white water rafting is also an excellent option.

Come for the culture

When you are not out splashing around the rivers of Picos de Europa National Park, take some time to explore the region’s culture. If you are staying in nearby Asturias, enjoy the Pre-Romanesque art as well as the millenia-old architecture. Try some of the local food, which differs greatly from what most people think of as Spanish and finish your meal off with a splash of local wine.

During the summer, average daily temperatures range from 15 ºC to 20 ºC in the park. Summer is also the driest season of the year, but still expect more rain than you would elsewhere in Spain. The spring and autumn tend to be cooler as well as wetter.

Any trip to Picos de Europa National Park will likely start with a flight into Asturia Airport (OVD), outside of Oviedo. From here, it is easy to take a bus or rent a car and make the relatively short drive to the national park.

Spanish, Basque

+34

Euro

May to October