Parque Nacional de Los Picos de Europa

Situated within the scenic Cantabrian Mountains between the provinces of Asturians, Cantabria, and León, the Picos de Europa National Park offers visitors a number of peaceful landscapes away from it all. Showcasing the exceptional geological diversity of the region, it’s here that you’ll be able to witness everything from deep river gorges and wide valleys to spectacular limestone peaks. At the park’s higher elevations, grazing cattle fill the open meadows, while there are several scattered viewpoints where you can really appreciate the vast beauty of Spain’s first designated National Park. When you’re done with your hike, check out these 7 cozy villages in Cantabria, Spain.

Spain has loads of national reserves that could easily slide onto this list: the great Teide volcano of the Canaries and the dust-swirling cowboy lands of the Sierra Nevada (yep, Spain had em’ first!). But we think Picos de Europa steals the show. They aren’t that well known, but boy should they be! You’re talking twisted and gnarled spires of limestone that look more like something from Argentina than the land of flamenco and sangria. Wowza!