Asturias has almost one third of its declared territory Protected Natural Area Of special interest, this is how to preserve this natural heritage and leave it as a legacy of special value to future generations.
Here we present each of these surprising corners for the enjoyment of those who approach them.
In the East of Asturias
· Aesilla Bufones
In Puertas de Vidiago, council of Llanes.
The water of the sea rises under pressure by the perforations created in the rock by the karstic action and forms a great spout, a whistle or snort is produced that gives name to the phenomenon. A pedestrian path and cyclist travels much of the Llanco littoral.
· Bufones de Santiuste
Between La Franca-Buelna, also in the council of Llanes.
These are considered the greatest buffoons of the entire eastern coast, in days of swell the water jet can reach up to 40 meters.
The jesters of Llanes
The Asturian coast has surprises constantly, such as the so-called buffoons: a real joy for… Read more
· Cobijeru Complex
In the vicinity of Buelna, council of Llanes.
It includes the interior beach of Las Acacias, which communicates with the sea through two underground conduits, and Cobijero cave, with a gallery that includes a large room with remarkable formations.
Cobijeru Beach
The sea allows itself few whims, since its behavior always submits to the designs of gravity and... Read more
· Gulpiyuri Beach
In the town of Naves, council of Llanes.
An interior and sheltered beach of the curious formed mostly by quartz sands. It is flooded with high tides looking like a saltwater pool.
Beach Gulpiyuri Llanes
Small semicircular beach formed by a closed sinkhole surrounded by cliffs, hidden in an environment… Read more
· Entrepeñas and Playa de Vega
Vega, council of Ribadesella.
This set includes the beach of Vega and its valuable dune system, as well as the contiguous alder trees, developed on the alluvial plain at the mouth of the small stream of Acebo and, also, the rugged quartzite rocks and gorges of Entrepeñas.
The Vega Beach
Beach of the East of Asturias. Vega beach, in Ribadesella, is a huge rugged corner, for … Read more
· Saucedas de Buelles
Buelles, council of Peñamellera Baja.
On the banks of the River Deva, walking in the direction of El Mazo, you can walk more than 20 km. next to the most beautiful willow of all the North of Spain. White willows and other tree species at the foot of salmon wells where you can fish. Salmon, trout and prisoners are part of the tasty Peña Melilla brew.
The willow of Buelles
On the banks of the River Deva, between the towns of El Mazo and Buelles, in the municipality of Peñamellera ... Read more
· Trave system
Cercanías of the Cabrales town of Bulnes.
The Trave system is currently the deepest gap in Spain, and the sixth worldwide, excelling in its complexity and verticality. It is the union of three great chasms: Torca de Laureola (2.042m), Torca del Alba (1.975m) and Sima del Trave (1.917m).
· Torca Urriellu
Central massif of the Picos de Europa.
La Torca de Urriellu is a large cave that has a great chasm 1.017 meters deep. A watercourse runs through it, called the River of Silence. This mountainous massif constitutes a monumental block of carboniferous limestone raised by the alpine tectonics, the action of the water on it has given rise to impressive gorges, chasms ...
The peaks of Europe
In 1918, the first national park in Spain was declared in the Covadonga Mountain, today the National Park of… Read more
Great return to the Picos de Europa
A comprehensive tour with accommodation included through the Picos de Europa. Five days to get to know in depth the spectacular landscapes of this national park…. Read more
· Deposit of Icnitas of the Central-Eastern Coast
Colunga, Ribadesella and Villaviciosa.
Every day that passes, more fossils and traces of a fertile colonization of dinosaurs appear. The coastal strip that stretches from Tazones (Villaviciosa) to Camangu (Ribadesella) is an escape from low cliffs where dinosaurs left their heavy footprint.
Coast of the dinosaurs Asturias
On the eastern coast of Asturias every day that passes more fossils and traces of a fertile ... Read more
Aquatic bikes
Discover the cliffed coast of the dinosaurs on a jet ski. An unforgettable experience along the coast of Ribadesella and Llanes…. Read more
· Toneyo Network
Sierra de Beza, council of Amieva.
The Toneyo Network is the largest Asturian cavity, with 19 km. of length of galleries and 614 meters of depth. Successions of wells and narrow meanders, a spectacle for lovers of risk.
· Jitu system
Ario, western massif of the Picos de Europa. Onís.
The Jitu system is a complex underground system, with a development of about 8 km. At the biological level it is also interesting, a new genus and species of diplopod, Asturasoma fowleri, has been discovered.
Initiation canyoning
With rappelling of less than 20 meters and swimming in calm water. We will enjoy easy-to-execute jumps of less than 6 meters and short slides... Read more
On the central Asturian coast
· Espartal Beach
La Peñona and the Ría de Avilés, council of Castrillón.
Playa del Espartal is about 3 km long. It is a space of great scenic beauty, which constitutes the most extensive dune system in Asturias, and in it we find species such as the barrón, solandela, sea thistle, raspalengua, strawberry trees, laurels ...
· Island of the Deva and Playón de Bayas
Castrillón and Soto del Barco, council of Castrillón.
Playón de Bayas maintains another of the most representative dune sets in Asturias, and the island of Deva is the largest of the coastal islands of our region and an enclave for numerous birds.
· Carbayón de Lavandera
Tueya, parish of Lavandera, in the council of Gijón.
It is an oak that has come to acquire important dimensions, 20 meters high and its trunk almost 7 circumference. Today it is a symbol of the town where it is located.
· Carbayera del Tragamón
Cefontes, council of Gijón.
Centennial carbayo forest (oak), which stands out as the most valuable for its size and age. There are also young specimens, and a significant concentration of birds: blackbirds, robins, great tit ...
· Pond of Zeluán and Ensenada de Llodero
In the municipality of Gozón.
The pond of Zeluán represents the last remains of the old marshes of the Avilés estuary, dried and filled for the installation of industries from the 50 decade. In the low tide, an inlet of mud is formed of about 12 hectares of enormous ecological diversity.
In the center of the region
· Tejo de Salas
Council of Chambers.
It is a magnificent specimen of yew, of 16 meters of height and 6.5 meters of perimeter.
The yew, a thousand-year-old tree
One would expect a 600-year-old yew to measure at least 100 meters, but the physiognomy of Taxus baccata… Read more
· Foces of the Pino River
Council of Aller.
The Foces of the Pino River are a narrow gorge formed by the river of the same name in its middle section, where the rocky limestone band of Peña Redonda is carved by the river forming almost vertical walls and where the width sometimes does not exceed 6 meters .
Route Foces of the Pino River
The Pino River runs fast, like it did thousands of years ago, endlessly sculpting enormous limestone rocks. He … Read more
· Tejo de Santibáñez de la Fuente
Council of Aller.
El Tejo de Santibáñez de la Fuente, currently measuring 12 meters in height, 3.33 meters in circumference and 15 meters in diameter, may exceed 500 years of life given its size, although it is certainly not known.
· Desfiladero de las Xanas
Council of Quirós and Santo Adriano.
The Xanas gorge is a singular geological formation, of great beauty and spectacularity, which has become one of the busiest and most emblematic routes in Asturias. Hazel trees, ash trees, linden trees, maples… they accompany us on the way. A spectacle of unparalleled beauty.
The gorge of the Xanas
The Xanas Gorge is considered the "mini Cares". A route of much shorter distance than the… Read more
· Tejo and Rebollo de Bermiego
Bermiego, council of Quirós.
The first one is a magnificent piece of yew of almost 7 perimeter meters and a height of 9 meters. The second, with more than 12 meters in height and 7 perimeter, is an example of rebollo (oak). They are two extraordinary natural monuments.
· Route of the Alba
Soto de Agues, council of Sobreescobio.
The Route of the Dawn, for its beauty and easy walking, without large differences in level, has become one of the most emblematic routes of the Redes Natural Park.
Route of the Alba
It seems more like the title of a collection of poems but it is a real walk. The Alba route is one of… Read more
· Ports of Marabio
Councils of Teverga, Yernes and Tameza.
It is an extensive karstic complex consisting of a set of blind valleys and sinkholes, with an important underground development that originates large caves and chasms that act as sinks.
Ports of Marabio
An authentic Asturian arcadia. Despite its name, the ports of Marabio are not located on the coast… Read more
· Huerta Cave
Council of Teverga.
It is the second Asturian cavity for its total development, 14.5 km, has a complex hydrological functioning, with an active channel that is continuation of the external channel of the Sampedro river.
Huerta Cave: caving in Teverga
At the foot of the majestic Sierra de la Cruz, In the municipality of Teverga, Cueva Huerta opens, as … Read more
Caving Picos de Europa
Enjoy the most impressive caves in Asturias, a risk-free underground adventure in easily accessible caverns... Read more
In the West of Asturias
· Tejo de Santa Coloma
Council of Allande.
It is a specimen of yew, located next to a Romanesque church, and of a height of 8 meters, a circumference of 5.6 meters. Probably the longest yew in Asturias.
· Tejo de Lago
Council of Allande.
It is a specimen of yew 9 meters high and 5.6 meters perimeter.
· Cork oak of Boxu
Bojo, council of Allande.
Cork oak forest, located in the vicinity of the Sierra de Carondio. It is the best "sufreiros" forest in the Principality and is now recovering.
· Penarronda beach
Santa Gadea, council of Castropol.
It is a wide and open beach, with extensive dunes. It has the presence of some communities and plant species exclusive of the dune and very rare formations in Asturias.
The beach of Peñarronda
Beach on the western coast of Asturias. A natural treasure that goes unnoticed if we look at it from the… Read more
· Turbera de Las Dueñas
Las Dueñas, council of Cudillero.
It is the largest coastal peat bog known in Asturias, since its extension is close to the 27 hectares. Its flora is protected by regional legislation.
· Caves of Andina
Andina, council of El Franco.
It is a karstic area, developed on marbles of the lower Cambrian belonging to the Vegadeo formation, which together give rise to a semi-closed valley whose waters flow into the Mazo river.
· Frexulfe Beach
Council of Navia.
The beach has a length of 700 meters and at its eastern end is the mouth of a stream.
The beach of Frejulfe
Beach on the western coast of Asturias. We arrived at this beautiful maritime area and, without yet knowing its… Read more
· Carbayón de Valentín
Council of Tineo.
It is an oak, which although it is not very remarkable in terms of its height, if it is by the size of the trunk, which reaches the 10 meters in circumference. The antiquity of this tree is dated in the Asturian Encyclopedia as prior to the discovery of America.
· Fayona de Eirós
Eirós, council of Tineo.
It is a large specimen of beech, in a healthy state, it presents a perimeter trunk close to the 5 meters and a wide crown whose diameter exceeds the 30 meters.
· Hoces del Esva
Council of Valdés.
The Esva runs in this space through a narrow gorge excavated in quartzite, whose walls reach the 400 meters of height difference.
Hoces del Esva Route
The Esva river basin has patiently carved a gorge in the quartzite rock, creating one ... Read more
· Oneta Waterfalls
Council of Villayón.
It is a permanent waterfall located in a place of great beauty. Several hiking routes take into account this place.
The Oneta waterfalls
To reach one of the most imposing natural spectacles of Asturias we will only have to walk ... Read more
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
