As winter draws to a close, this mountain pasture, situated at an altitude of 1500 meters, often still retains a layer of snow. The air is pristine, especially for those who yearn for nature. During the summer, livestock graze freely, taking advantage of the fertile glacial pastures. In the past, the shepherd would milk the cows at dusk, sleep in the pasture, and return at dawn to milk them again before taking the fresh milk down to the village of Urria. He also had underground cisterns through which fresh water from nearby springs flowed, essential for cooling the milk and making butter. Nowadays, restricted-access tracks and off-road vehicles mean that overnight stays in this mountain pasture are no longer necessary.
Trekking 5 days in Somiedo
Five intense days, with accommodation included, to explore the main attractions, peaks, lakes, and mountain pastures of this natural park… Read more
What are branes?
The Somiedo council has around 130 mountain pastures (brañas) , classified into two types: the equinoctial pastures , located near the villages, where livestock graze in spring and autumn; and the summer pastures, of which the Sousas pasture is a part. Here, the ancestral corrals, circular stone huts, were covered with "tapinos" or vegetation for thermal insulation. Shepherds or brañeiros slept in them, as did their livestock, protecting them from wolves and other dangers. In the Sousa pasture, a total of 23 corrals can still be found , forming a complex of enormous ethnographic value. This hillfort-style architecture, whose origins date back to prehistory , is unique in Europe. The door jambs and lintels create beautiful forms, and each structure has its own design, with limestone blocks fitted together with great skill. The circle blends perfectly into the surroundings, but conservation issues and measures to protect them are in the spotlight year after year.
Lake Valley Route – Braña de Sousa
The route to this pastoral area is easy, short , and follows a good path, suitable for everyone . It's a linear route that, in just 3 kilometers , after climbing 300 meters, brings you to the foot of the mountain pasture itself. The duration: an hour and a half each way.
We begin our hike in the village of Valle de Lago . We cross the river and pass near the church. A path branches off to the right, heading south. The first section runs between meadow walls, and a little further on, as the path veers away from the village, we walk among hazel, oak, chestnut, and beech trees. As we gain altitude, we begin to enjoy stunning views of this glacial valley, one of the largest in the Somiedo Natural Park, at the head of which lies the famous Lago del Valle , the largest mountain lake in Asturias . Throughout the hike, we enjoy sweeping panoramas of the beech forests and the Coto and Valle mountains. Braña de Sousas is situated on the western slope of Peña Llana, at the bottom of a glacial cirque, surrounded by the moraine. From there, there are spectacular views of Altu'l Muñon and the head of the cirque. Once in the mountain pasture, you can continue the excursion a little further, taking an ascending path, heading south, towards the Colláu del Muñón, where you can enjoy wonderful views of the Sierra del Rebezu.
Peña Furada viewpoint
On the return journey , a visit to the Peña Furada viewpoint is a must. It's a truly spectacular sight and, without exaggeration, one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Spain. Access is via a path that begins a little below the Braña de Fuexo , a mountain pasture that still boasts a well-preserved traditional Somiedo thatched hut . From the viewpoint, you can discover the Enraimada Forest , a protected area with restricted access, which serves as a refuge for the brown bear. To the right, you can admire the unique mountain that is Peña Furada, also known as Pico Castiellu , a rocky crag with a distinctive natural archway that makes it instantly recognizable.
After passing the viewpoint, we descend until we reach the main road to finish the route at the starting point.
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
