The Picos de Europa, one of Europe's last mountain wilderness areas, are the high point of a long ridge of mountains which runs along the north coast of Spain, the Cordillera Cantabrica. Ranging in altitude from 150m to 2648m (about 500-8700ft), the Picos are divided into three spectacular limestone massifs separated from one another, and from the surrounding ranges, by precipitous gorges - a truly spectacular area in which to walk or tour. This guide contains a wealth of information about the dazzling array of plant and animal life you can expect to see when exploring the range. The author, an all-round naturalist and Spanish correspondent for BBC Wildlife, has also contributed to Spain - the Rough Guide. Teresa Farino has been living in the Picos de Europa for almost twenty years. 'We have walked and climbed in the Rockies and the Himalaya, but the Picos are unique, and we are so glad that we went. Your book contained so much information, together with the beautiful pictures and the very useful maps, that we felt we were really getting under the skin of this part of Spain. (M.H., Glos.). Your walks took us through flower meadows awash with fragrance, buzzing with insect life and clouds of butterflies, through sleepy villages lined with cherry trees so heavily laden that fruit fell to the ground untouched, and up through steep mountain gorges with goats and donkeys for company. Thank you so much. (S.P., Harrogate).