The Villaviciosa estuary has an almost triangular shape, stretching approximately 8 km in length and varying in width from 1.000 m to 200 m, depending on the area. Its formation dates back to the Würm glaciation during the Late Pleistocene, which caused a drop in sea level. The rivers then carved their channels, shaping deep valleys in their lower reaches. As the sea level returned to its previous level, it flooded these valleys, creating what are known as submerged valley estuaries, the type to which the Villaviciosa estuary belongs.
Where is the Villaviciosa estuary located?
The Villaviciosa estuary is located on the central-eastern coast of Asturias, about 30 kilometers east of Gijón. The boundaries of the protected area coincide almost exactly with the roads that run along the estuary's banks; one connects the town of Villaviciosa with the small port of El Puntal and Tazones , and the other leads to Rodiles beach . It is an ecosystem of extraordinary plant and animal diversity.
Flora and fauna of the Villaviciosa estuary
The largest group in the estuary is that of waterfowl , almost all of them migratory. Estuaries are places where they can find abundant food: fish, crustaceans, mollusks, worms, etc. All the estuaries along the Cantabrian coast play a crucial role for migratory bird populations in Europe. Their presence is especially numerous in spring and autumn, scarce in summer, and variable in winter. In Villaviciosa, three types of birds can usually be seen: waders, herons, and swimmers . These include the European Golden Plover, Northern Lapwing, Common Snipe, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, and many more.
Furthermore, in this area you can find up to four major types of natural environments: beaches and dunes, the estuary, cliffs and the coastal plain.
Among the first to be mentioned is Rodiles Beach , which stretches east of the estuary's mouth for 1 km and covers 350.000 square meters at low tide. The wind has created a dune field at Rodiles that closes off the beach to the south, where both mobile and fixed dunes can be observed. To get there from Villaviciosa, take the N-632 towards Lastres, then turn left onto the VV-6, which leads through the village of Selorio and past the small beach of Misiego.
It should also be noted that the cliffs near the town of Tazones contain an important site of dinosaur footprints , or ichnites, which provide extraordinary evidence of these animals' presence in the marshy areas of the region. The "Asturian Jurassic" extends along a coastal strip from Cabo Torres, west of Gijón, to Ribadesella.
If you're looking for accommodation in this area, we offer some options in the link. We recommend taking a look because there are some very good rural houses and apartments in this area of Asturias.
Information:
Reception and Interpretation Center of the Partial Natural Reserve of the Ría de Villaviciosa.
Carretera del Puntal (VV-5, km 4.1).
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
