Spain’s La Ruta del Cares (The Cares Route) is reported to be one of the most spectacular hikes in all of Spain. The Cares gorge and the river it is named after, separate two ranges of the Spanish Picos de Europa mountains.

La Ruta del Cares Spain

Inaccessible until the 1920’s when a hydroelectric company built a water canal high up on the cliff side, Ruta del Cares now attracts thousands to Spain.

Our Spanish cycling guide told us small children could do the famous Spanish hike and women with high heels were sometimes seen on the breath taking trail. Sounded like an easy rest day after cycling the steep climbs of the Spanish Picos.

Should you travel to Europe from North America and do anything more active than drink wine and eat fabulous food, take this warning. The European definition of flat in no way resembles the meaning we…