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The peaks of the Central Massif overlooking the village of Sotres, in Cabrales

The village of Turieno, at the foot of the Picos.

The Picos de Europa (literally: "Peaks of Europe") is a range of mountains some 20 km inland from the northern coast of Spain, located in the Autonomous Communities of Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla-León, forming part of the Cantabrian Mountains. It consists of three major massifs - Central, Eastern and Western (also known as the Picos de Cornión). The Central and Western massifs are separated by the mile-deep (1.5 km deep) Cares Canyon (Garganta del Cares), with the village of Caín at its head. The waters in the Cares mostly arise from cave resurgences. Some of the water in the Cares river is diverted through a hydroelectric scheme, with a canal running in the northern wall of the gorge to Camarmeña. An access path next to the canal provides a spectacular walk.

Almost all the rock is limestone and glacial action has contributed to create an extremely impressive area of alpine karst. The highest peak is Torre de Cerredo, with an altitude of 2648 metres at 43°11′51″N, 4°51′06″W. Many others reach altitudes of over 2400 m. The area is popular with mountaineers, climbers and mountain walkers. There is a good network of well-established mountain refuges. The best-known climbing site is the Naranjo de Bulnes.

The Picos de Europa contain many of Spain's deepest caves, including Torca del Cerro (−1589 m), Sima de la Cornisa (−1507 m), Torca los Rebecos (−1255 m) and Pozo del Madejuno (−1252 m). Discovery of new caves and their exploration still continues.

The Picos support a dwindling group of shepherds who move up from the valleys in the summer with their sheep, goats, cows, and an occasional pig. The area is famed for its piquant blue cheeses, such as Queso de Cabrales, traditionally matured in caves.

Bears, Iberian lynxes (Lynx pardinus) and wolves (Canis lupus signatus) live in the remoter regions. Rebeccos (Cantabrian chamois - Rupicapra pyrenaica parva) are fairly frequently seen (according to a 2006 Ministry of the Environment report, there were around 8,000 that year); Choughs and Buzzards are common and there is a diverse butterfly population in the park.

Most of the region is now protected as a single Picos de Europa National Park in Cantabria, Asturias and León provinces of Spain; the Asturian part was Spain's first National Park. Access is via minor roads to each of the three massifs from the north and from the south to the aerial tramway at Fuente Dé and to Caín at the head of the Cares Canyon.

Lamedo, in Liébana (Cantabria)

Enol's Lake, in Asturias

The name "Peaks of Europe" is due to the fact that they are the first sight of Europe for the ships arriving from America.

• Asturias and the Picos de Europa
• National Park website and online Picos de Europa mountanieer community
• Picos de Europa y Amieva
• Picos de Europa at Llanes
• Picos de Europa Asturias (English)
• Routes in Cantabria and Picos de Europa, in English
• Pictures of Picos de Europa, in English
• Picos de Europa: a naturalist's paradise Wildlife in the Picos de Europa
• Sistema del Hito / Xitu caves
• Find a village in Picos de Europa,(Spanish,English)

Coordinates: 43°12′N, 4°48′W

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