This is the third largest forested area in Asturias after the forests of Muniellos and Peloño. It covers more than 1.500 hectares of the Central Mountains of Asturias, specifically within the Las Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park, a Biosphere Reserve that encompasses a total of 42.000 hectares. Bordering the province of León, the Peña Ubiña massif is the highest mountain range in Asturias after the Picos de Europa, with peaks exceeding 2.400 meters.
Las Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park
This is a magnificent mountainous region with a landscape of strong contrasts, located in the… Read more
How to get to the Montegrande beech forest
It's easy to get there, located about 60 kilometers from Oviedo, less than an hour's drive from the center of Asturias , next to the well-paved Puerto de Ventana road: AS-228. The road even crosses some wooded areas, and there's a large parking area at the foot of the beech forest. One such parking area is the one we came across after passing through the village of Páramo, heading towards Braña de la Puerca, at a nearby turnoff to the right.
Excursions through the Montegrande beech forest
One of the best ways to enjoy Montegrande is by exploring its various trails. The most convenient and popular is the easy , educational route that begins at the aforementioned parking area. The trail is practically flat and easy to walk, and includes an initial half-kilometer section adapted for people with disabilities. It then extends for about 3 kilometers, but you can add another kilometer, following the course of the La Verde River, until you reach the extraordinary Xiblu waterfall . This 100-meter-long waterfall is undoubtedly the most visited spot in the beech forest.
Route to the Xiblu waterfall
Mountains always in view, forest everywhere, ancient beech trees with intricate roots, wildlife that ... Read more
There are several hiking trails that will allow you to explore the forest in depth and discover all its secrets. Shortly before the aforementioned Xiblu waterfall, you can take a marked path to the right towards the beautiful Braña de Las Navariegas , uphill, or towards the village of La Focella (Foceicha or Foceya), downhill, via the short marked trail PR AS-156.
The Navariegas mountain pasture is perhaps one of the oldest in the Principality, of immense ethnographic value. It captivates visitors with its shepherd's huts and circular enclosures of hill fort-like architecture, structures where shepherds and even livestock slept to protect themselves from wolves and other dangers. From this pasture, we can extend the route and ascend to the Collado de las Navariegas pass , a magnificent promontory from which, in addition to the forest itself and many other landscapes, we can clearly see the Fontanes and Peña Ubiña peaks, the Asturian summits of Somiedo, and the Leonese peaks of Babia.
Without leaving the Montegrande Beech Forest, and very close to the parking lot, you can visit another mountain pasture, the Braña de las Cadenas , in just 4 kilometers of total route, round trip.
Montegrande and its biodiversity
The educational itinerary that we mentioned above and which is the most appropriate route to start in the forest, has signs alluding to the flora and fauna of the place.
Thus, we can learn that centuries-old beech trees are the dominant species in the Montegrande forest , spreading throughout the area. Although we also find oaks, holly, and one of the most remarkable birch groves in the Principality within its canopy. To a lesser extent, rowan and yew trees are also present.
The forest changes its appearance with each season , and each one offers reasons to visit. Autumn lends it a twilight, warm, and nostalgic air; spring is the time of light, exuberance, and cascading waterfalls. The excellent air quality, humidity, and ample shade make for pleasant walks during the summer. In winter, although it may appear somber and ghostly, its beauty lies in its snowy surroundings. Moreover, fog can appear at any time of year, making the journey even more magical.
Ferns thrive at ground level , those creatures that love the darkness, reaching impressive sizes in this shady forest. In some areas of the undergrowth, bilberry bushes flourish , their berries a favorite treat for the brown bear . Other common mammals include deer, roe deer, chamois, wild boar, and wolves, while vultures, eagles, and goshawks soar through the skies. If we pay attention, we might spot blackbirds, great tits, or blue tits in the branches. Eurasian nuthatches and treecreepers can be found on the trunks. And with a bit more luck, we might hear the drumming of the black woodpecker or even see a legendary capercaillie , now endangered.
A little bit of history
The Montegrande beech forest is located south of the municipality of Teverga , in the heart of the Cantabrian Mountains. The area where it is situated is known as El Privilegio , and was once an independent municipality made up of the villages of Páramo, Focella, and Villa de Sub.
The name "privilege" stems from the fact that in 1033, King Bermudo II decreed that everyone born in this territory (unlike those in neighboring lands) would be considered free and noble . The reason for this privilege? A false accusation of treason against the original owner of these lands, Pelayo Froilaz . This accusation led to the confiscation of his property and his unjust imprisonment. It was a complete slander that the king sought to rectify with this "administrative" concession and the granting of noble status to all his descendants.
It was in 1827 that the Privilege was annexed to Teverga , not without resistance from the inhabitants of the council.
Today, the true privilege is being able to feel freer (and more noble) in such a beautiful forest.
Information:
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for walking in the forest.
- Don't forget the camera.
- It is important to check the weather forecast before taking the excursion.
- Carry a raincoat in your backpack.
- Respect the environment and do not leave your garbage in the forest.
Photographs: © Roberto Molero on Flickr
