The Cares Trail starts in Poncebos, in Cabrales, and ends in Caín, over the border in León: about twelve kilometres each way. Almost everyone walks it there and back from Poncebos, so two things matter when choosing where to stay: how close Poncebos is, and how easy it is to set off early.
Arenas de Cabrales, 6 km from Poncebos
From El Ardinal, in Barrio de Río in Arenas de Cabrales, Poncebos is 6 km away, about 12 minutes by car. You can set off early without an alarm at dawn and be back for lunch.
In high season the car park in Poncebos fills up early. At Easter and through the summer season there is also a bus from Arenas de Cabrales to Poncebos, with departures spread through the day; each year's dates, timetables and fares are published by the Asturias Transport Consortium (Consorcio de Transportes de Asturias).
And when you get back, you are in a village with a bakery, bars, shops and cider houses, a 9-minute walk from the apartments.
What helps in your accommodation
- A full kitchen, to have breakfast before you leave and make your lunch: there are no services on the trail, and no water sources along much of it.
- Self check-in: before you arrive we send you the door code by WhatsApp or email, so you don't depend on reception hours.
- Free parking next to the apartments, to leave the car the night before and on the day of the walk.
- Heating and a fireplace, welcome after the walk in spring and autumn, the best seasons for the Cares.
Which apartment for your group
- Two families or a group of 4 to 6: Cares, a two-storey apartment with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. After twelve kilometres of gorge, not sharing one bathroom makes a difference.
- A couple, or two more on the sofa bed: Casaño, Duje and Ribeles, all on one floor with no stairs.
- If you'd rather have a house to yourselves: La Casina, on two floors with a porch, for 2 to 4 guests.
How to plan the day from El Ardinal
- There and back from Poncebos. The simplest: set off early, walk as far as you like or all the way to Caín, and come back the same way.
- One way to Caín. Sort out the return before you set off: there is no public transport between Caín and Poncebos, and by road it is only covered by taxis booked in advance.
- Just a section. The most spectacular part starts soon after Poncebos; two hours out and two back make a full day. It's the best option with children.
All the trail details —elevation, water, footwear, when to go— are in our guide The Cares Trail, step by step.
More from the same starting point
Poncebos is also where the climb to Bulnes starts, on the way towards the Naranjo de Bulnes. And if one day you'd rather do something short and flat, the Foces del Casaño have the same rock-and-water scenery without the climb.
Booking
Check-in is from 4pm and check-out by 11am. Book here and your booking is confirmed straight away, with no middleman fees. If you can't decide between two apartments, message us on WhatsApp on +34 604 989 850.
