This great mountain walk has long been our favourite trip for the pure pleasure of splendid unspoilt scenery and tiny mountain villages. Steep-sided grassy valleys, often containing small lakes and tarns, surrounded by white limestone peaks, descend into tiny villages which live the life of other generations. Bullock carts and scythes have still not been wholly replaced by more modern methods and high up in the valleys are little neolithic style stone huts with thatched roofs, the vestiges of summer villages that were used for cheese making. Hay is still the principal crop; higher up graze cattle, sheep and poinies. Bear and wolves can still occasionally be seen and ibex are a common sight among the peaks.

As the number of small hotels slowly grows we have updated the walk once more to make this an eight night trip with seven full days of wonderful walking. The accomodation is in small village hotels often with great charm. Our last night is spent in the capital of Asurias, Oviedo, where we stay at the great 5 star hotel de la Reconquista.

The altitude varies from about 3500 ft to over 7000 ft. It is only possible to be met at lunchtime on two days.

Very good if simple accommodation and super food throughout. Sena de Luna - 2 star hostel. Puerto de Somiedo - 2 star hotel. Villar de Vildas - 1 star hotel and village rooms. Oviedo - 5 star hotel