Three injured, one seriously, in major rockslide on Asturias' Ruta del Cares

A rockslide on the famous Ruta del Cares trail in Asturias injured three hikers on Friday morning, leaving one in serious condition. The incident happened in the middle section of the mountain path that connects Poncebos, in Cabrales, with Caín, in León, according to El Correo Web.
Emergency teams rushed to the scene to help the victims. The Ruta del Cares is one of Spain's most popular hiking trails, drawing thousands of visitors each year through the deep Cares gorge in the Picos de Europa.
The rockslide hit on Friday morning, catching hikers off guard on one of Spain's busiest mountain routes. Three people were struck by falling rocks. One suffered very serious injuries, Levante EMV reported. The other two sustained less severe wounds but still needed medical attention.
The incident took place in the intermediate zone of the trail — roughly halfway along the route. This stretch of the path runs through a narrow gorge, where rocky cliffs rise steeply on both sides, making escape difficult when rocks fall.
Emergency services were deployed to the area after the alarm was raised. Reaching injured hikers on the Ruta del Cares is a major challenge. The trail runs for about 12 kilometers along a narrow ledge carved into the cliff face, with no road access for most of the route.
Rescue workers had to reach the victims on foot or by helicopter. The seriously injured hiker was given priority care on-site before being evacuated, Diario Córdoba reported. The other two injured were also helped off the mountain.
The Ruta del Cares runs through the Picos de Europa National Park, one of Spain's most dramatic landscapes. The path was originally built to maintain a water channel. Today it attracts hikers from across Europe, especially in spring and summer.
Rockslides are a known hazard on the route. The sheer cliffs above the trail can shed loose stones at any time, especially after rain or temperature changes. Authorities regularly inspect the path, but the risk of falling rock cannot be fully eliminated, according to La Opinión de Málaga.
It was not immediately clear whether the trail was closed after the rockslide. Local authorities in Asturias and Castilla y León jointly manage access to the route. After serious incidents, sections of the path are typically shut until safety checks are completed.
Hikers planning to visit the Ruta del Cares are urged to check official warnings before setting out. Wearing a helmet and staying alert to falling rocks are basic precautions on any mountain trail. Información noted that the investigation into the cause of Friday's rockslide is ongoing.
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