The Picos de Europa National Park, located in the heart of the Cantabrian Mountains, is one of Spain’s most iconic natural areas. With its towering peaks, deep gorges, and lush forests, this territory hosts extraordinary biodiversity. Here, the Cantabrian brown bear (Ursus arctos) stands out as one of its great emblems and symbols of conservation. For all these reasons, it is vital to carry out awareness-raising and informational actions about the brown bear for visitors to Picos de Europa.
Covering an area of about 67,000 hectares, spread across Asturias, Cantabria, and León, this national park is one of the most visited in Spain—around 1.8 million visitors per year, according to the latest data from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO). This high influx reflects the growing interest in enjoying nature, but it also poses a challenge for the conservation of its most sensitive wildlife.
A collaboration for coexistence between bears and visitors
To help visitors to this protected area understand the importance of conserving the brown bear’s habitat and learn how to behave responsibly in the mountains, the National Parks Autonomous Agency and the Brown Bear Foundation jointly develop informational and awareness-raising activities.
Within this collaboration, during 2025, information has been offered to hikers directly along the trails, and informational brochures have been handed out. These materials, in addition to providing highly relevant data, include a QR code linking to an animated video. The video clearly summarizes “Tips for Traveling Through the Mountains of the Brown Bear.” This audiovisual piece was created as part of the LIFE Bears with a Future project.
Furthermore, leaflets and bookmarks have been distributed among visitor centers and other tourist points in the area to reach as many people as possible. These materials offer practical information on how to navigate the park’s mountains and forests safely, both for people and for bears.
Responsible tourism, protected nature
The steady increase in nature tourism in the Cantabrian Mountains is an opportunity to bring biodiversity closer to society, but it also requires responsibility and respect. Avoiding unnecessary noise, not leaving litter behind, staying on marked trails, and always keeping a safe distance if wildlife is spotted are some of the key recommendations to ensure harmonious coexistence between people and the brown bear.
Every informed visitor becomes an ally of conservation. Because enjoying the Picos de Europa National Park also means helping to protect it.
