Walk into Wild Asturias, Los Picos de Europa
Asturias Yoga Shala is situated at the base of Los Picos de Europa Nacional Park, a wilderness of deep valleys with crashing waterfall, moss-bearded Beech forests and the soaring limestone towers of the Picos de Europa – a trekkers paradise. Being sandwiched between the Cantabrian coast and Spains´s dry palins leads to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, making it Europe´s most bio-diverse area.
During this retreat, we will spend the mornings practicing Yoga and meditation and afternoons exploring the natural wonders of the Picos de Europa mountains and wild Cantabrian coastline. The morning sessions will invigorate our bodies and clear our minds, leaving us in perfect condition for afternoon adventures in nature. You may find yourself atop a peak enjoying views of Spain’s wildest mountains, jumping in a refreshing river pool after exploring a forgotten canyon, or exploring the quiet and spectacular depths of a giant limestone cave.
Excursions
Afternoon excursions typically last between 1.5 and 3 hours. Beautiful options are endless and many begin right from the door of the yoga shala. The excursion that we choose on any particular day will depend on the weather (highly variable in Asturias) and the overall inclination of the group. Below are listed some of our most common excursions:
Covandonga via the Mountains
Covadonga is perhaps Asturias’s most famous landmark, a historical site with a rock church sitting above a waterfall and a large cathedral at the base of the mountains. We will walk to Covadonga from our valley, crossing Cruz de Priena, a pyramid shaped peak directly about the Covadonga Sanctuary. Once there you can explore Covadonga at your leisure
Duration: 2.5 Hours Difficulty: Medium
La Gueña Cañon; Jump into Invigorating Water direct from Los Picos
From the Yoga Shala, we will walk 30 minutes to a nearby almost never visited canyon, where you will have the option to jump into a deep pool and have a waterfall “Prana shower”. A great option for a hot day!
Duration: 2 hours Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Cueva de Alda: Subterranean Magic
Cueva de Alda lies 30 minutes walk away from the yoga centre (via view of the Picos and Ocean). Despite its magnificence, it is a little visited cave due to its remote location. We will explore its gigantic main chamber, with stalagmites, stalactites, underground pools and a penetrating silence, interrupted only by drops of water occasionally falling from the roof of the cave. Simon will play a short flute concert to highlight its stunning acoustics.
Duration: 3 hours Difficulty: Medium / Easy
Trekking from the Doorstep to the Peak Above
From the doorstep, we will follow trekking route S9, which will take us on a 500m ascent through old Chestnut forests and high meadows to a peak overlooking the Casaño canyon, Picos de Europa and the ocean.
Duration: 3 hours Difficulty: Medium / High
Time Table
Arrival on the first day of this retreat may be anytime after 16:00. The program begins with an introduction around 18:30 followed by dinner at 20:00. The program finishes the last day after lunch around 15:00h.
| 8:30 | Yoga Session |
| 10:30 | Breakfast |
| 12:00 | Meditatation/Yoga Nidra |
| 12:30 | Ashtanga Workshop |
| 14:30 | Lunch |
| Afternoon | Activity in Nature (3 days) |
| 19:00 | Talk on Yoga Philosophy (1-2 days) |
| 20:00 | Light Meal |
Included In Yoga and Hiking Retreat (3 days & nights)
- Daily Ashtanga Yoga Classes
- Daily hiking excursions/transportation
- Daily Yoga Workshops
- Course Manual
- 3 vegetarian meals daily
Food at Asturias Yoga
We provide 3 vegetarian meals per day: breakfast, lunch and a light dinner. We do our best to source our vegetables locally according to the season, use primarily organic and vegan ingredients, and provide many home-made specialties, such as sourdough breads, spicy chai, nettle pesto, mountain spring water, fresh herbs for infusions, and marmelades from our fruit trees. Meals are designed for a nutritionally balanced diet, with foods that are easy to digest, grow in a sustainable way and full of vitality.
If you are someone who traditionally has a large appetite or prefers multiple snacks throughout the day, you may also bring your own food/snacks to supplement. The closest large supermarkets are in Cangas de Onis or Posada, both approximately 20km away. There are various smaller shops nearby in Benia (2km from the yoga center) and at the “Campsite Picos de Europa” (1km down hill from the yoga center).
Reservations
- Retreat (without accommodation): 375 EUR
- Retreat + Shared Room: 460 EUR
- Retreat + Private Bell Tent: 490 EUR
- Retreat + Private Room: 540 EUR
Contact Us.
If you have any further questions, or are ready to reserve your place, get in touch today!