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Rockfall on Spain's Ruta del Cares injures three hikers, trail closed
A rockfall struck the Ruta del Cares in the Picos de Europa on Friday morning, collapsing rocks onto the mountain path that links Poncebos in Cabrales (Asturias) with Caín in León. Three hikers were injured; two women, aged 19 and 53, suffered serious injuries and were air‑lifted by SEPA rescue helicopters to the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias in Oviedo. The third hiker sustained less severe injuries.
The Servicio de Emergencias del Principado de Asturias (SEPA) deployed rescue teams and a medicalised helicopter to the site. The park authority ordered a preventive, full closure of the entire Cares trail while safety assessments are carried out. The route, one of the most frequented summer trekking corridors in Spain, has a history of similar incidents, including multiple closures after rockfalls in 2025 and earlier this year.
Authorities are monitoring the situation and will announce when the trail can be safely reopened.
Entities
Asturias Emergency Services (SEPA) · Caín · Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA) · Poncebos · Ruta del Cares · Servicio de Emergencias del Principado de Asturias (SEPA) · Spain