Wildlife walks in the Picos de Europa, northern Spain

Daily excursions in search of birds, butterflies and wildflowers

Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia © Teresa Farino

Join Teresa Farino - a British naturalist who has been living in the Picos de Europa since 1986 - to explore the natural wonders of these mountains for a day. Teresa is the author of the popular Sunflower guide Landscapes of the Picos de Europa and OUP's Travellers' Nature Guide: Spain. Her most recent book is the lavishly illustrated Wild Spain, published in 2009 by New Holland Press.

The Picos de Europa National Park and surrounding area is home to more than 1,500 species of vascular plant (including around 50 orchids), over 70 mammals, 176 species of bird (120 of which breed), 15 amphibians, 19 reptiles and an incredible 155 different species of butterfly; truly a naturalist's paradise! Whether your main interest is birdwatching or botany, entomology or photography, or even just strolling through spectacular landscapes and picturesque villages, Teresa can help you to get the most from your stay in the Picos de Europa.

Here are a few ideas:

• Gentians and narcissi, at 2,000 metres, above Fuente Dé in April and May.
• Low-altitude haymeadows, teeming with orchids, near Lebeña in April and May.
• Alpine birds, isard and saxifrages above Fuente Dé in May and June.
• Orchids, birds and butterflies of Espinama's meadows and forests in May and June.
• Glorious high-level haymeadows and butterflies in Valdeón in June and July.
• Mountain butterflies at San Glorio or Piedrasluengas in July.
• Alpine wildflowers above Fuente Dé in July and August.

or tell Teresa what you want to see, and she'll arrange a special itinerary.

A delightful find! © Teresa Farino

Wildlife walks in the Picos de Europa,
northern Spain

Leader: Teresa Farino

Price: the cost of a day's excursion is as follows:

• one person: 130€
• each additional person a further 30€, up to a maximum of 220€
• children under 12 free of charge
• maximum 8 clients per group
• cable-car fees are not included

Although the cost of the tour is given in euros, clients may pay in sterling, the exchange rate to be calculated at the time of payment using www.oanda.com

Meeting point: for each day's excursion, we will meet at the start of the selected route at around 9.00, and will return to this point at the end of the day by approximately 18.00.

Level of difficulty: all excursions are well within the capability of any reasonably fit person. Although the length of the various excursions varies, in most cases we will not be walking more than about 5 km during the course of the day, at a leisurely pace, allowing ample time for observation, identification and photography. Children are welcome.

Lunches: packed lunches can be provided at a cost of 7,50€ per person.

Enjoying the view © Petra Brown

Booking information: please contact Teresa for more further information, or if you have any queries about these wildlife excursions.

E-mail:
Office phone:	+34 942 735154
Mobile phone:	+34 656 337129
Address:	Apartado de Correos 59 39570 Potes Cantabria Spain

Other tours in the Picos de Europa:

Reports from past trips to the Picos de Europa:

Related information: