Picos de Europa and Ordesa: Two Mountain Worlds of Northern Spain

This is where your trip starts. It's worth setting off early, as a long stage across France lies ahead of you today.

A well-kept, affordable municipal campsite on the edge of Beaune in Burgundy, within walking distance of the historic old town with its famous Hôtel-Dieu. A peaceful stopover after the first long driving day, ideal for stretching your legs in the evening.

A large, well-equipped campsite by the lake north of Bordeaux, with a direct tram connection into the city. A good base to unwind after the long drive or to pop into Bordeaux for a quick look in the evening.

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One of the most beautiful medieval villages in Spain, with cobbled lanes, stone houses and the Romanesque collegiate church Colegiata de Santa Juliana. A short stroll to settle into the green north coast before continuing towards the mountains.

A terraced campsite with panoramic views over the sea and coastal mountains, right by the historic village. A good base for your first night in Spain and the gateway to the Picos de Europa region.

The cable car climbs around 750 metres in altitude in just a few minutes up to the Mirador del Cable at 1,823 metres. At the top, a spectacular panoramic view opens up over the central limestone massif; from the upper station you can continue with a high-altitude hike towards Refugio de Áliva.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

A simply situated campsite right at the head of the valley in Fuente Dé, almost beneath the cable car. Ideal for being up top early and staying at the foot of the mountains after the hike without any extra driving.

A pretty mountain town at the confluence of several valleys, with old stone bridges, the Torre del Infantado and good opportunities to buy supplies. A lovely stopover to try Cantabrian specialities before heading further west.

A Franciscan monastery said to hold one of the largest surviving fragments of the True Cross, and an important pilgrimage site. The simple Gothic monastery church and the view over the Liébana valley make this brief stop worthwhile.

A terraced campsite above Potes with wide views of the mountains and a pool. A peaceful base for a half rest day before tackling the big Ruta del Cares the next day.

The spectacular path runs through tunnels and over bridges within the vertical cliffs of the Cares gorge between Poncebos and Caín. The full round trip measures around 22 kilometres with moderate elevation gain, and it's one of the most impressive hikes in Spain.

A well-known campsite in Arenas de Cabrales, ideally central for hikes around the Cares gorge and Bulnes. A good base and handy for trying the famous Cabrales cheese in the evening.

The car-free mountain village of Bulnes can only be reached on foot via the historic Camino de la Canal del Texu, or by funicular. The climb takes around an hour and a half; at the top lies a quiet stone village from which the view of the Naranjo de Bulnes opens up.

From Bulnes, a further path leads to the viewpoint with a direct view of the Naranjo de Bulnes, the vertical limestone tower that is the emblem of the Picos. On a clear day, one of the most striking mountain views in northern Spain.

The Marian sanctuary of Covadonga, with its neo-Romanesque basilica and the Holy Cave, is regarded as the cradle of the Reconquista. A historic site where mountain scenery and Asturian history combine impressively.

The two glacial lakes, Enol and Ercina, lie on a broad plateau amid the western Picos. A simple circular route links the lakes and viewpoints; the landscape of grazing cattle and rugged peaks is a highlight of the trip.

A family-run campsite between Cangas de Onís and Covadonga, a good base for the western Picos. Centrally located and convenient for visiting the lakes and the town.

The former first kingdom of Asturias is known for its striking, seemingly Roman bridge, the Puente Romano, over the Río Sella. A short morning stroll before the long drive towards the Pyrenees.

A practical riverside campsite in Logroño, the capital of Rioja, a good halfway stop between the Picos and the Pyrenees. In the evening, explore the lively tapas street Calle Laurel.

The stone village of Torla-Ordesa lies at the gateway to the national park, with views of the Mondarruego cliffs. Shuttle buses into the Ordesa valley depart from here; the village itself is lovely for a stroll through its narrow lanes.

A campsite right at the entrance to the Ordesa valley, peacefully set among greenery and ideal for getting to the shuttle or valley entrance early. Your base for the coming mountain days in the Pyrenees.

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From the Pradera de Ordesa, the valley entrance, the classic hike follows the Río Arazas through the national park. Beech forests, waterfalls such as the Gradas de Soaso, and steep limestone cliffs accompany the path deep into the valley.

The Cola de Caballo waterfall, the 'horse's tail', forms the magnificent end point of the valley hike at the far end of the Ordesa basin. The round trip from the Pradera measures around 18 kilometres and passes through the most beautiful sections of the national park.

The deeply cut gorge of the Río Bellós is noticeably quieter than the Ordesa valley and impresses with narrow rock walls, waterfalls and dense forest. From the starting point at San Urbez, a lovely circular route follows the river into the heart of the gorge.

The medieval fortified city of Carcassonne, with its double ring of walls and numerous towers, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. A walk through the Cité and over the Château Comtal combines history with impressive architecture.

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A well-kept campsite with a direct view of the fortified city and shuttle access to the Cité. A good stopover on the way back to combine history with memories of the mountains.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

A wooded campsite on the outskirts of Lyon with a connection into the city centre, a good final stop on the way back towards Germany. Karlsruhe is easily reachable from here the next day.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here