Asturias, Northern Spain

Arrival in Asturias. From Oviedo airport, you travel first by bus to the city centre, before taking a local train to the peaceful town of Grado and finally a short taxi transfer to your hotel. A lovely chance to relax and enjoy the Asturian countryside. If you’re coming from elsewhere in Spain, there are direct train and/or bus connections to Oviedo from Madrid, Valladolid, Bilbao and Santander.

Today you will enjoy a walk through the valley of Grado, home to more than a thousand years of history on the oldest pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, the Camino Primitivo. The trail passes through peaceful countryside, bucolic farmland and along with several (abandoned) villages. After 8 km (265m in ascent and 250m in descent, 3hrs) you either choose to make an adventurous hike along the old footpaths through the Sierra de Cuota (6,5 km, extra ascent of 250m and descent of 415m, 2,5 hours). Or you can continue along quiet country lanes to the villages of Vallonga and Vayo, where you can be picked up by a taxi (min. 5 km extra, 85m in ascent and 135m in descent, 1.5 hours).

Next is a walking tour from Sama de Grado to Proaza, which follows quiet country roads with just one ascent, up to the Sierra de Buanga. As you ascend, the sweeping views widen to reveal an ever-expanding landscape of small mountain ranges. You reach Linares, one in a series of villages along this narrow mountain ridge, then begin the descent to the Río Trubia. Here you pick up the converted railway path which is now the popular hiking and cycling route called the Senda del Oso. This “Trail of the Bear” takes you past a small reserve where two Asturian brown bears have been raised in captivity in a frantic attempt to increase the native (bear) population. At the end of the day, you reach the next accommodation, a family-run hotel situated in the heart of a pleasant village.

Optional Hike

An optional walk will take you through the spectacular Xana Gorge, a natural monument up to the lovely picturesque villages of Pedroveya and Dosango. On the last section of the route, you will follow the well-known Senda del Oso to your next accommodation in Proaza. This section is not recommended for people with a fear of heights!

In the morning you have a transfer by taxi to Bandujo which is a charming mediaeval village located around 11km from Proaza. Now your hike starts, where you will begin your ascent towards the Caldoveiro Peak. Once at the summit, you shall have some very nice views of the region. In the afternoon you have a transfer from the Santa Ana hermitage to your hotel in San Salvador de Alesga. In the evening, return transfer to San Martin de Teverga to have dinner (cost of dinner not included).

This morning another morning transfer to the beginning of the highest route at the San Lorenzo Pass at 1345m altitude. From there you will follow the Camin Real de la Mesa. The Camin Real de la Mesa is an ancient historic trail meaning the Mesa Kings Highway.

Today you have a treat with what is most probably the most spectacular walk of the entire holiday. You shall experience continuous panoramic views across the Natural Parks of Somiedo which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Also, views of Ubiña-La Mesa as you follow the Camino Real de la Mesa along the ridge “Cordel de la Mesa”. After around 3 miles you shall begin your descent toward Arbellales and finally Valle del Lago in the Somiedo Natural Park. On the way, you might have a chance to spot the Cantabrian Brown Bear which quite common in this area.

You will find that the Natural park has so many landscapes on offer, that we have selected a couple of interesting walks for you to choose from.

First a classic walk to lake Lago del Valle on an alternate route that avoids a busy gravel track for the first 9km. Although the first ascent is quite steep, it is well worth your effort, given the rewarding views you will enjoy from the top of the valley. From Lago del Valle you follow a path and gravel track. This last section might be quite busy with hikers in high season

The second option goes to Peña Salgada peak, at 1945m altitude, following a very clear path. On the way, you pass Mayada de Sousas, Loma Los Michos, El Putracon and Peña Salgada, before returning to Valle del Lago.

After breakfast, you take a local bus (4 departures a day)