Fuente Dé: A family friendly mountain experience in the Spanish Picos de Europa

If you’re looking for a family-friendly escape in the mountains, Fuente Dé in Northern Spain should be on your radar. Nestled in the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park, this hidden gem is a stunning blend of rugged peaks, alpine meadows, and panoramic views that take your breath away—literally and figuratively.

Whether you look for a quiet family picnic or a more adventurous hike, Fuente Dé is the place to go.

Cable car experience

The main attraction at Fuente Dé is the teleférico, or cable car, that lifts you 753 meters in just under four minutes. It connects the valley floor to the upper station at El Cable, perched at 1,823 meters (5,981 ft). The ride itself is an experience which your little ones will love: as you ascend, the valley drops away, revealing a jaw-dropping panorama of cliffs and forested slopes.

At the top, you’ll find a dramatic viewpoint and several hiking routes for all levels of fitness and time constraints. When traveling with young children, don’t forget to bring your baby carrier.

Tip: Arrive early or book tickets online in high season to avoid queues, especially in July and August.

Hiking trails

1. El Cable to Horcadina de Covarrobres (Easy – 45 min round trip)

This is a perfect introductory walk for families or those short on time. The well-marked gravel path starts at the cable car station and gently winds toward Horcadina de Covarrobres, a mountain pass surrounded by dramatic peaks.

Distance: ~2.5 km round trip Duration: 30–45 minutes Difficulty: Easy Highlights: Panoramic views, wildflowers in spring/summer, accessible terrain

2. El Cable to Refugio de Áliva (Moderate – 3.5 to 4 hrs round trip)

One of the most popular hikes, this trail descends gradually into the glacial Áliva Valley, passing meadows, grazing cows, and breathtaking limestone cliffs. The Refugio de Áliva is a mountain hut where you can rest or enjoy a meal.

Distance: ~13 km round trip Duration: 3.5–4 hours Difficulty: Moderate Highlights: Expansive valley views, peaceful alpine environment, local livestock sightings.

3. Circular Route via Puertos de Áliva and Las Ilces (Challenging – Full Day)

For experienced hikers, this loop descends from El Cable to Áliva and continues through the Puertos de Áliva (pasturelands), then down through Las Ilces and back to Fuente Dé via the forest. This is a long but incredibly rewarding day hike.

Distance: ~20 km Duration: 6–7 hours Difficulty: Hard Highlights: Full immersion in Picos de Europa landscapes, solitude, dramatic geology, wildlife Good to know: This route requires good fitness and a very early start. Weather can change rapidly at higher altitudes.

Campervan travel

Roads to Fuente Dé are narrow but well-maintained so driving in a campervan is quite easy.

There’s a large public parking lot directly at the base of the Fuente Dé cable car (Teleférico de Fuente Dé), and campervans are allowed to park here although staying overnight is not permitted.

In order to spend the night, there are a few campgrounds in the surroundings of Fuente Dé.

1. Camping El Redondo Fuente Dé

This campground is only 5 minutes walking distance from the cable car and is surrounded by a stunning mountain panorama. It is the perfect place for discovering the area without any stress.

2. Camping de la isla Picos de europa

If you are looking for a pool and a playground for your kids, this is the place to go. Although it is quite close to the main road, this campground is a good starting point for you and your family. The camping de la Isla Picos de Europa is a 25 minutes drive from Fuente Dé. If you are well organised and do not want to move your campervan, a bus runs twice per day. We decided that we did not want to take the risk of missing the bus back to the campsite and decided to drive our campervan to the main parking area of Fuente Dé.

You can also take a 45 minutes walk to the Monasterio de Santo Toribio de Liébana.

3. Camping San Pelayo

Another nice campground with a pool is the Camping San Pelayo, a 20 minutes drive from Fuente Dé. The campsite has a playground, an outdoor pool as well as a pool for kids.

Surroundings

1. Potes

This historical village with its riverside beauty is a perfect starting point for exploring the Picos de Europa. Don’t miss the Torre del Infantado, a 14th-century fortress that once served as a noble residence and later as a prison. Today, it functions as the town hall and exhibition space. Climb to the top for panoramic views of Potes and the surrounding mountains.

After that, you can relax by the river and one of its many cafés or restaurants. You can also take a walk along its beautiful riverside.

The city has a very nice campervan area close to the city center. You can even book a slot in advance here which makes planning your trip so much easier.

Monasterio de Santo Toribio de Liébana

A 5 minutes drive from Potes is the Monasterio de Santo Toribio de Liébana which is famous to pilgrims for its fragment of the True Cross. However, beyond this spiritual reason to visit, every traveler can enjoy the beauty of its architecture and its peaceful location in the heart of the Cantabrian Mountains.

The monastery is open every day from 10 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 7 pm. Everyday at noon, a pilgrims mess is held. During the mess, the True Cross is not open to visitors.

A big parking area is available in front of the monastery but from the campground camping de la Isla Picos de Europa, a 45 minutes walk also leads you right to the monastery.

Have you been to the Picos de Europa or planning to go? Share your experience or questions in the comments below!

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