The Cabo Peñas

Latitude: 43.6539612 Length: -5.8436966
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They are more than 100 meters above sea level, an exceptional experience on a cliff so sharp that it looks like the prow of a giant ocean liner. The cruise to which Cabo Peñas invites us is not anything, the winds whip, the sea brings us with all its rage, and over our heads the seagulls fly. The swell breaks in half against the prow of our imaginary ship, which is actually a protruding and powerful shell of the same earth. The sea is split against the figurehead; a quartzite, abstract and geometric figure. Mysterious too.

Our hair is ruffled at Cabo Peñas, we breathe deeply, we dare to look towards the beyond, in this case at the bottom, where the white foam is radiant and vivacious. The islets appear for help.

In our particular meridian we can sit down to imagine. Suppose it is midday and moves to the west, or to the east. Suppose you can travel instantly wherever you want. Keeping a steady rhythm, 180º will later reach midnight. When you have traveled 360º you will return to where you were, the time will be midday again, yesterday at noon. Today or tomorrow. Time does not stop but it stops while navigating on the «Boat Peñas». That pike or tiny triangle that we see appearing on the map of Asturias turns out to be a monument to the sea, of overwhelming dimensions.

Protected area of ​​Cabo Peñas

Geographically, Cabo Peñas is located in the central area of ​​the Asturian coast, between Gijón and Avilés, in the municipality of Gozón. The real surface of this projection, seen from satellite, is 19,2 km2 and contains a whole series of fully natural watertight compartments; to the point of being a protected space, mainly at the biological level by its importance as a habitat for seabirds and other migratory species.

They are also found here all varieties of heather existing in the regionas well as significant geological formations. Inland, to port, the relief is very gentle, with small river valleys that have prevented this flat peninsula from being consumed or cornered by the land. In this way, it also maintains its elevation and distinct character in relation to the Cantabrian Sea.

The surrounding landscape can be seen at a glance, and on a clear day you can see the constant folds of the central coast of Asturias to frankly distant locations. From the cross and mailbox of peaks, on top of The Gaviera (94 ms.), the northernmost peak of the entire cape, we can glimpse Cape Vidio and even Cape Busto to the west (100 km away, in the municipality of Luarca); and to the east, Punta del Castro, Punta de la Narvata, Punta el Paguión, Punta la Vaca, reaching the point of view as far as Punta Tazones (about 60 km away, in Villaviciosa).

The own Space of the Cabo Peñas collects mainly cliffs and beaches with valuable dune systems, emphasizing from west to east: the Xagó sandbank, the Portezuelos beach, the Verdicio beach, the Ferrero beach, the Llumeres beach or the Bañugues beach. It is also included the islet of La Erbosa, the largest on the Asturian coast after the Island of Deva.

Peñas Lighthouse

The corporal is crowned by the Lighthouse of Peñas, the most important and most far-reaching of the Asturian coastline. Gives light since 1852 and is a basic guide to northern sailorsIn good weather, the beam of light reaches 41 miles; in fog, a not inconsiderable 18 miles. Before 1852, the route was signaled by fire, burning logs on a screen of stones that illuminated the night at Peñas and showed sailors the way home.

Going back in time and imagining such primitive navigation allows us to envision a truly cruel voyage, harsh in practically all conditions. What must sailors have thought when they suddenly saw the imposing mass of this cape up close, a cape that already completely overwhelms us? And that's even though we're standing on it, with our feet firmly on the ground and untouched by the swells.

Our boat does not move, We're safe.