Founded in 1918 as one of Spain's first two national parks, the 646-square-kilometre Parque Nacional de los Picos de Europa encompasses some of Europe's most riveting mountain scenery. The park's many natural wonders – high meadows and lakes, dramatic limestone crags, precipitous river gorges and abundant wildlife, including dozens of species of birds – are accessible by a vast, well-signposted network of hiking trails.