The cliffs and the beach of Guadamía could well serve as a natural classroom for an intensive course of karst modeling. In addition to a practically fluvial beach, we find in this environment surprising forms that the sea has created in a permanent struggle to overcome the natural barrier of the coast itself. The traces of dissolution are very deep and have reached great development in the form of cavities and channels on the surface of calcareous rocks. The cliffs are full of covachas. In this area we can enjoy the so-called jesters of Llanes: narrow vertical chimneys through which the water gushes out with great noise, mixing salt water and air.
On the cliffs of the coast, local fishermen fish at high altitude. The enclave is idyllic.
Following the marked route that leaves the recreational area itself, a winding path, we can make a small excursion in the vicinity. At the step we get the calls dry wells that dot the area. They have a large perimeter and the rocks, like pointed battlements, are organized in a concentric way leaving in the center a black background where the waves hit. The sea enters these spaces despite the fact that some of them keep a great distance with the cliff. In some cases true natural pools are formed.
The Guadamía River, natural border between the municipalities of Ribadesella and Llanes, in its short journey of about seven kilometers from the Sierra de Cuera, it descends between beautiful landscapes until it reaches the sea at the height of the Arenes castro. When it ends at the Guadamía beach itself or the Playa de Llamas, it has sculpted a narrow gorge in its own image. In the area that precedes Guadamía, it forms a sandbank or marsh known by the locals as La Siatera, a kind of fjord with calm waters.
The beach it is surprising. A narrow channel, elongated between the cliffs, whose ownership is disputed between the river itself and the Bay of Biscay. There is no beach more protected from the onslaught of the sea in all of eastern Asturias. It is, therefore, very safe for the bathroom. At the beginning of its long tongue, the depth of the water is scarce and ideal for children. At low tide what remains is a long sandy area, ideal for beach games and sunbathing.
The length of the beach is about 800 meters, perpendicular to the coast, the width of the channel of about 80 meters, the sand is white and fine, the average depth in the bathing area is 1,50 meters, without sharp drops or depressions. The waters tend to settle. It is clean of rocks and algae. The waves are scarce or zero and there is no risk of currents.
How to get to Guadamía beach
The access cores closest to the beach are the villages of Llames de Pría (Llanes) and Cuerres (Ribadesella). To reach them we do it from the AS-263 that communicates the municipalities of Llanes and Ribadesella in the border area of both councils.
From Llames de Pría there is road access to the beach, although it is advisable to face the last stretch on foot as there is not abundant parking in the vicinity of the beach. From Cuerres, and through a paved road of about two kilometers, we can reach the recreational area, a few meters from the beach.
Car park near Guadamía beach
In the town of Llames de Pría they have set up several parking areas to be able to comfortably access the buffoons and the beach, since both tourist attractions are adjacent. It is best to leave the car in these signposted areas and walk to the beach, the route is short and pleasant. In the recreational area of Cuerres there is also space for vehicle parking, although it may fill up easily in the summer season.
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
