The town of Busto, which gives its name to the cape, is located on a coastal plain where hay meadows, pine forests and heaths are mixed. It is very close to Luarca, less than 10 kilometers, So taking this route can be a perfect excuse to end the day in this beautiful fishing village.
Luarca, marine essence
The beauty of Luarca takes the shape of a large aquatic S, around which it has found accommodation...
The biodiversity in this part of the Valdesano coastline can be seen at first glance, being a privileged spot for bird watching: In the sky there are cormorants, silver gulls and peregrine falcons. Beyond its scenic beauty, the area around Busto is also a Reference area for archaeology in AsturiasCarved stone tools belonging to the Acheulean industry of the Lower Paleolithic have been found here, making it a key place to understand the first human settlements in Asturias.
Viewpoints and the Cabo Busto lighthouse
From the town of Busto, a circular hiking route starts, the PR AS-4, which allows you to explore the coastline closest to the cape, stopping calmly at spectacular viewpoints (there are 8 in total) that offer views of almost inaccessible beaches and rocky outcrops, under cliffs that can reach over 100 metres in height.
A route with hardly any gradient, of low difficulty and about 8 kilometres long. Well signposted, with yellow and white markings for “Short Route” (PR). Along the route we will find inscriptions with the “thoughts” of illustrious figures such as Jovellanos, Agatha Christie, Mehmet Murat, etc.
We can start from the old ones Busto schools, today a library, where there is a large car park and information panels about the route. You can also start at the St. Bartholomew's Chapel, in the very center of the town.
Initially, we advance along a dirt road, leaving behind cultivated areas where cornfields predominate. The path leads us to the Cueva Beach Viewpoint, which offers views of the mouth of the Esva River.
Afterwards, and after leaving aside some enormous cypress trees and corn fields, we will enter a wooded area of Pines and eucalyptus. Gently descending to a fork where we can choose between detour to Bozo beach or follow the route itself - if you have enough time, it is advisable to visit this pebble beach, whose name comes from the spectacular vertical walls that surround it, known as "dips".
Returning to the main path, after a while we will reach the Cape Viewpoint, with incredible views over the entire coast of the Valdés municipality (the beaches of Los Molinos, Chao or Portizuelo, the islands of La Moura and Las Mouchas...) and also from the same town of LuarcaOn very clear days it is possible to see the coast.
The beautiful Cape Beach, is located at the very base of Cabo Busto, which we reached without effort. There we found the Busto Lighthouse, built in 1858 and still in operation today, offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Cantabrian Sea. Its light guides sailors with flashes visible up to 21 nautical miles away.
Once we have calmly admired the landscape of Cape Busto, we continue along the coast and continue accessing various viewpoints in strategic places that allow us to glimpse wild beaches such as those of Sawdust o Barchinas. At the last viewpoint of the route, the one located right in front of Punta Corbeiriños, we discover on our right the Cathedral, Punxeu Beach and Punta de la Osa. It is also very well observed Sandy Point.
From here the trail turns inland, returning to cultivated areas, also pine forests, on our way back to the town of Busto, where we had started. We just have to follow the signs.
Technical data of the route
- Distance: 8,5 km
- Duration: 3 hours
- Difficulty: short
- Accumulated drop: M 120
- Recommended time: all year
- Key points: Cueva Beach Viewpoint, Bozo Beach, Busto Lighthouse, the rest of the coastal viewpoints.
Tips for the route
✔ Take suitable footwear for hiking, as the ground can be slippery in some sections.
✔ Dressing windbreaker clothing, especially on the coastal plain, where the wind can be strong.
✔ Take water and some food, since there are no fountains along the route.
✔ Respect the fauna and Flora, avoiding straying from the marked trail.
✔ Take advantage of the sunset from the lighthouse or the viewing points to enjoy an unforgettable view.
This route is ideal for those looking for a quiet walk, with impressive landscapes and without great physical demands. A perfect walk for disconnect in the middle of nature and enjoy the wild character of the Asturian coastline.
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
