When speaking of the Sierra de Cuera, we speak of a high plateau, upholstered with meadows and crowned by peaks of easy ascent. Brañas abound, some inhabited. The flocks or vegas they preside over the ports of Cuera, which have always been destined for cattle grazing. Also visible are the traces of mining exploitations that worked until the 70s of the last century. It also contains in its limits a great prehistoric wealth, dated in numerous caves and chasms. The metallurgical activity around 2000 BC Remains of various phases of the copper transformation process have been located. The Cuera served the economy and society of the Bronze Age. Nowadays many of its hollows of its southern slope serve for the healing of the popular Cabrales cheese.
The landscape and ecosystem of Cuera
Its landscape It is integrated into the network of protected areas of the Principality of Asturias and covers an extensive territory of the East of Asturias. Hillsides, forests, valleys and peaks are deployed throughout five municipalities of this region: Cabrales, Llanes, Peñamellera Alta, Peñamellera Baja and Ribadedeva. A total of 40 kilometers long that begin in the environs of the river Sella by the West and continue to scarce distance of the sea, finalizing in the Eastern end of the Principality, next to the Deva river.
El Cuera is also a well-nourished ecosystem. Its fauna highlights the presence of the fox, the marten or the wildcat, as well as the abundance of roe deer and wild boar. With luck we will be able to glimpse the flight of the golden eagle, vultures, Egyptian vultures and other large birds of prey. The forest is basically made up of beech, oak and holm oak forests. If we contemplate the mountain range from the coast we see that there is hardly any appreciable vegetation, however, after the first line of peaks, the Cuera opens up to narrow valleys, often blind, which are home to endless meadows and brañas lined with ash trees. maples and thorn trees. The widest and most productive valley from the livestock point of view is undoubtedly the Llosa de Viango. On the slopes that surround this plain and almost to the highest peak of the Sierra, the Turbine Peak, it is located the most extensive forest mass in the sierra: a north-facing eutrophic beech forest, which collects the frequent mists that come from the sea and that at this point cannot pass the mountain range. With 1.315 meters altitude is the highest point of this small mountain range and perhaps the most appealing walking route
Climb to Turbine Peak
Pico Turbina is a famous summit, an unforgettable visual experience, with unrepeatable panoramic views in…
For the human being, the mountain range rises in insurmountable appearance and delimits two geographical spaces that have had different historical and social evolution: «La marina llanisca» and what has been called the «trascuera». The relationship between both territories has been marked by livestock activities and common pastures. On the coastal side, around Llanes, there are several flat mountain ranges that are the prelude to the Cuera, such as Cué and Pimiango, and others further inland, such as Purón, La Borbolla or Los Carriles. In all these smaller mountains we find charming villages and quality rural accommodation from which to start an infinity of routes. A possible and very simple excursion from these outskirts of Cuera, is to reach the Neolithic monument of Peña Tú, of deep sacred significance in the Bronze Age, located on a promontory from which we obtain an excellent panoramic view of a good part of the municipality of Llanes.
The Idol of Peña You
The idol of Peña Tú, tattooed forever on a mysterious rock that has provoked religious sentiment...
To the north, the slope of the mountain does not allow to locate any hamlet, only the village of El Mazucu dares to look out to the first foothills following the crevice of La Tornería. In its slope on, near the Picos de Europa, we find numerous villages from Cabrera such as Ortigueru, Pandiello, Puertas, Asiegu, Arangas ... in all of them we will find comforting rural houses and good food for excursions on the way to the affordable peaks of Cuera.
Here we propose a few excursions through the Cuera.
From the top of La Tornería, a possible excursion is to approach the Llosa de Viango. A beautiful and immaculate valley between mountains that has always been frequented by shepherds and ranchers.
Route the Llosa de Viango
This route goes from Alto de la Tornería to the Viango Valley and ends in the plains town of Purón. This …
Another affordable excursion that allows us to enjoy a great 360º panoramic view of the coast and the Picos de Europa is the ascent to Pico de Mediodía.
Picu Mediodía: viewpoint of the East of Asturias
One of the best panoramic views of the eastern coast of Asturias is obtained from the vicinity of…
Information:
The entire perimeter of the Sierra is covered by roads of certain importance: to the North the N-634, that crosses the llansal rasa, and to the South the Regional AS-114, that crosses the valley of the Cares. The transverse communications are limited to the N-621 that connects the councils of Ribadedeva and Peñamellera Baja on the East, and the Regional AS-115 that communicates Llanes with Cabrales on the West through the Altu de Ortigueru.
Arangas - Turbine - Arengas
Approximate duration: 6 hours.
Slope: 950 meters.
Difficulty: medium. It can be done at any time of the year although it is preferable to avoid fog and rainy days.
The shortest climb to Turbina, which is not the simplest, starts at the Cruz or De la Mina del Oso pass (400 m.), On the road that connects Arangas and Peñamellera Alta. From this point ascends a wide mining track of considerable slope that takes us to the cabin, meadow and fountain of Trebes (45 '). The track ends in front of the mouth of the Bear or the French mine. It was underground and produced iron and manganese.
We leave Trebes and follow the old road that reaches the Sellón pass (1h.10 '). There, it joins the track that climbs from Arangas to enter the Gobiu channel. The ascent ends at the pass of Concha Gobiu (2h.20 '), at the feet of Peña Llacia (1.228 m.). This is an excellent viewpoint of the Massif Central de Picos, between whose summits the Naranjo de Bulnes silhouette clearly stands out.
We continue on a path (right) that leads us to the braña Piedra del Oso (2h.35 '). It is an area of meadows dotted with beech trees and overlooking the valley of Cares. We found numerous cabins, some inhabited during most of the year, and a fountain.
The best way to tackle from here the Pico Turbina and its twin Terenosu is a well-marked path that allows us to overcome a hill and enter a treeless area. The final climb is comfortable and is done by footpath to the double top (3h.20 '). At the top we find a cross, an IGN vertex, a shelter, an antenna fed with solar panels and a stone marker that acts as a mailbox. The views are again excellent, especially the coast of Llanes, which is at our feet. The return is done by the same path used in the upload (6h.20 ').
Asiego - Peña Blanca - Asiego
Approximate duration: 5 hours.
Slope: 700 meters.
Difficulty: medium
The route begins in the village of Asiego. At the end of it, leaving behind the trough and the fountain, we take a track with good slope that takes us to the Majada de Tebrandi. We continue along the path leaving a closed farm on the left. The path climbs in a zigzag to the cabins of La Mata, there you take a path that leads to the Vega de Brañes with beautiful cabins. To the north of this sheepfold we have the Peña Blanca peak, on top of which is the geodesic landmark. From there the views are spectacular. The descent is made through the same itinerary.
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
