Asturias has the privilege of still possessing forests of extraordinary beauty and enormous biological richness , populated by centuries-old trees, bears or capercaillies.
We shouldn't be discouraged by the fog or the drizzle, nor even by the ghostly appearance these places often present, for a forest without moisture and silence couldn't truly be called a forest. Its charm lies in its unique climate, in its isolation. It's best to wear appropriate clothing and footwear for exploring them, including a raincoat , and thus experience firsthand the realm of Busgosu , the spirit of the forest, who, according to traditional depictions, has two twisted horns on his head and goat's legs. He wanders through the forest, accompanies us, and in doing so, acts as protector of trees and animals, even protecting them from hunters, loggers, or reckless tourists. But just in case Busgosu isn't as vigilant as he should be, we hikers must respect one cardinal rule during our visit: leave everything as we found it . Asturian forests are vast museums, but they don't have burglar alarms or smoke detectors, so the responsibility rests entirely with us.
It's also important to learn to enjoy our surroundings ; to take our time and observe the treetops, branches, lichens, fungi, and small details in our immediate environment: animal tracks, sounds… Many people finish their hike without having even looked up from the ground, more concerned with not tripping than with the beauty that surrounds them at every step, but it's worth taking a break and enjoying the surroundings.
How many trees are there in Asturias?
There are approximately 745 million trees in our autonomous community.
What trees are the most abundant in Asturias?
Among the most representative forest masses of our community, we find beech forests, oak forests, birch forests, oak groves, holm oak forests, riparian forests or cork oak forests.
Below, we invite you to visit six of the most popular forests in Asturias . At asturias.com, we've set ourselves the challenge of gradually expanding this section, adding more representative forests from our region.
Forest of Muniellos
It is the largest forest in Asturias, the largest oak forest in Spain with over 5.000 hectares , and one of the best-preserved Atlantic forests in all of Europe. In 2000 it was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and is currently the most protected natural area in the entire Principality.
Forest of Muniellos
Muniellos harbors within its boundaries the ancient Asturian forest , its most deeply rooted character. Visit Muniellos… Read more
moal forest
The Moal forest is ideal for getting started in the seductive forests of southwestern Asturias. A good aperitif before discovering the great nature reserve of the Muniellos forest.
moal forest
Moal is a town in Asturias and also a forest; a green, humid expanse, full of trees… Read more
Hermo Monastery Beech Forest
Spanning over 1.500 hectares (roughly half the size of Muniellos), this forest is the largest beech forest in Asturias and one of the largest on the entire Iberian Peninsula. This "fayeu" (beech forest) forms part of the Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias Natural Park.
Hermo Monastery Beech Forest
The beech forest of Monasterio de Hermo is an immense wooded area, both highly photogenic and mysterious. Read more …
Montegrande Hayedo
This vast beech forest is the third largest woodland in Asturias. A true explosion of unspoiled nature: beauty and biodiversity spread across more than 15 square kilometers of forest. Several trails crisscross it, but the most popular is the one that leads to the Xiblu waterfall.
Montegrande Hayedo
A bucolic place to forget everything and let your senses guide you. A true immersion in nature… Read more
Network Park
It has been granted the title of Nature Reserve, as well as Biosphere Reserve , and its impressive woodlands, pristine nature, and the minimal impact of the local people on the environment certainly deserve such recognition. Its area is 376,2 km².
Natural Park of Redes
One of the most exceptional reserves in terms of nature and ethnography in the entire Principality of… Read more
Hayedo de Peloño
The 200.000 beech trees of the Peloño forest, in the municipality of Ponga , dress in a variety of colors: vibrant green during spring and a sober brown in autumn and winter. Their 15 square kilometers of foliage are protected (Partial Nature Reserve), making it a unique space in Spain—an enormous parasol that traps atmospheric moisture like few other places.
The Peloño forest
The interior of Monte de Peloño, this immense beech forest , harbors its own unique vegetation, which allows… Read more
Beech forest of La Biescona
A beech forest that will leave you speechless with the size of the trees and the impressive shapes of their branches. A perfect route to discover as a family, as it is a veritable classroom of nature. Located on the northern face of the Sierra del Sueve mountain range, very close to the Cantabrian Sea, it is the coastal humidity that gives it a unique appearance and a very uncommon ecosystem among beech forests.
The beech forest of La Biescona
Its low altitude (around 200 meters) makes it the beech forest that grows at … Read more
Pome Forest
It is the largest beech forest in the western massif of the Picos de Europa , and venturing into it is a unique experience: dense forest, branches, canopies, leaf litter, wildlife, silence. The forest is thick, tall, mossy, with slender holly trees and fallen, ancient trees. Within it, clearings created by past logging operations allow us to explore it in sections, diversify its landscape, and find our way through the labyrinth.
The forest of Pome
Venturing into one of the most emblematic forests of the Picos de Europa is an excursion… Read more
Cea Forest
The Cea Forest is a wooded area of incredible value, a marvel of nature accessible to everyone. We reached its boundaries after a short but scenic route. It is located in the municipality of Parres, near the Mota Cetín mountain , and within the Sierra del Sueve mountain range.
The Cea forest
The Cea Forest is a wooded area of incredible value , a whim of nature… Read more
The willow of Buelles
On the banks of the Deva River, between the villages of El Mazo and Buelles, in the municipality of Peñamellera Baja, very close to the eastern border with Cantabria, lies one of the most beautiful river valleys in Asturias. Declared a Natural Monument , the Buelles willow grove is a veritable jungle, a dense and wild place accessible via a riverside path.
The willow of Buelles
On the banks of the Deva River , between the towns of El Mazo and Buelles, in the municipality of Peñamellera … Read more
Atlantic Botanical Garden and Carbayera del Tragamón
It is a living space, recreated but as natural as possible, occupying 15 hectares of perfectly designed land and becoming a great showcase, a green and flowery microcosm in which more than 15.000 plants and trees grow , plant species from both sides of the Atlantic, including a native forest: the Carbayera de Tragamón.
Botanical Garden of Gijón
A visit to the Atlantic Botanical Garden is an authentic experience, an excursion to a… Read more
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
