The Somiedo Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve is home to one of the main bear and grouse populations of the Cantabrian Mountains. With the area of the Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña, and Ibias Natural Park, the multitude of relatively isolated valleys and mountains have allowed maintaining that wildlife.
Here, a hiker's paradise opens up, full of contrasts from the high peaks to the broad glacial valleys with their lakes, lagoons and pastures to the rugged and wooded river valleys.
The human being has been linked to this territory for millennia, including the "vaqueiros de alzada" and "xaldos", leaving a valuable ethnographic heritage such as the "teito cabins", the corros or the pallozas that will accompany us during all the routes.
In addition, the link with the land is still alive in these regions; Cangas de Narcea wine, sausage, heather honey or cheese are some products that will make us enjoy the gastronomic aspect of the trip.
You will also spend three nights in the amazing Parador Nacional de Corias.
This Tour gives you all of that. The walks are one part of it. The cultural & environmental experiences are the others.
Día 1
Arrival in Santander airport. Transfer to Pola de Somiedo stopping along the way in some interesting place. Check-in and briefing at Hotel Miño. Dinner and accommodation.
Día 2
LEVEL A. SOMIEDO LAKES – ALBO PEAKS – LAKE VALLEY. LINEAL ROUTE. 16KM +700m/-1.100m
Transfer to Somiedo Natural Park. First, we start walking the glacial lakes of Somiedo and its meadows of historical transhumant use; then, we undertake the ascent to the Albos massif. After a short but steep climb, we will reach the eastern summit, from which we will get a unique view of the lakes and the mountain range. Now, we will descend to the hill to climb to the next summit, the western Albo peak. Here, a new landscape opens with the Lake Valley. After lunch, we will descend through the beautiful glacial valley, enjoying the landscape surrounding us until the town of Valle de Lago. Transfer to Pola de Somiedo. Dinner and accommodation.
LEVEL B. FARRAPONA MOUNTAIN PASS – LAKE VALLEY. LINEAL ROUTE. 15KM +450m/-650m
We will begin our route from the Farrapona mountain pass, crossing the Somiedo Lakes and the different sheepfolds around it and the mining remains. Then, crossing large meadows, we will reach "Los Pozos", from where the glacial formation of the Lake Valley can be perfectly observed.
We will go down a path to the lakeshore, a beautiful place to have lunch under the Albos massif and La Sierra de la Mortera. After lunch, we will descend through the stunning glacial valley, enjoying the landscape surrounding us until the town of Valle de Lago. Transfer to Pola de Somiedo. Dinner and accommodation.
Día 3
LEVEL A. ASCENT TO CORNON PEAK (2,125M). ROUND TRIP. 16,5KM +750m/-750m
Today's route begins from the town of Santa María. Then, we will climb the best-known peak of Somiedo el Cornón, from which we can enjoy incredible views of the entire Natural Park and the surrounding mountains, such as Ubiña or El Cabril. On clear days, it is also possible to see the Sea. Between mountain meadows and broom areas, we reach height until the base of the Cornón peak. Until reaching the summit, the last part goes along white quartzites covered with lichens, which, depending on the light and humidity conditions, give it different colours. Finally, we will return on the same path. Transfer to Pola de Somiedo. Dinner and accommodation.
LEVEL B. ROUTE LA PERAL – VILLAR DE VILDAS. CIRCULAR ROUTE. 13KM +450m/-850 m
The route starts from La Peral, a summer "vaqueiro" town. Then, our path slowly ascends through meadows to the "Las Malladas" spring. The trail reaches its highest point through fields to enter the broom, which in Somiedo Natural Park presents the peculiarity of having orange flowers. Then, the path leads to the Enfistiella pass, from where the view opens to an incredible view of the valley of the "Cereizales" and the upper "Pigüeña". Now, we go down towards the Pigüeña valley, "La Braña Los Cuartos", crossing beautiful meadows after visiting the famous "Braña de la Pornacal"; we will arrive through the beech forest to the town of Villar de Vildas, the endpoint of the route. Transfer to Pola de Somiedo. Dinner and accommodation.
Día 4
LEVEL A. ASCENTO TO MUÑÓN PEAK & ROMAN ROAD “LA MESA”. CIRCULAR ROUTE. 18KM +1.100m/-1.300m
An Alpine route, which runs through very varied landscapes: lush forests, narrow limestone gorges, aerial ridges, extensive meadows, well-preserved "brañas de corros" and that runs along a road that is more than 2,000 years old, the Via Romana de La Mesa, which preserves still parts of the original cobblestones and the ancient Roman thousands.
We leave the Saliencia car park towards the path that runs through the "Arroxos Gorge" through a beautiful oak forest that is gaining height to reach the alpine meadows of the port of La Mesa. From here, the terrain is steeper, and we will have to help each other in some steps to reach the crest that gives access to the sharp summit of Pico Muñón, with breathtaking views towards the Saliencia Valley, Torrestío, Ubiñas, etc.
The descent will be done through the Puerto de La Mesa, crossing the "braña de Morteras", and from here, we will go down to Saliencia again. Transfer to Pola de Somiedo. Dinner and accommodation.
LEVEL B. “BRAÑAS DE SALIENCIA” & ROMAN ROAD “LA MESA”. CIRCULAR ROUTE. 13KM +600m/-600m
The same route as Level A, but not going to the Muñon Peak. Transfer to Pola de Somiedo. Dinner and accommodation.
Día 5
LEVEL A & B. BRAÑAS VAQUEIRAS & ASCENT TO MICHU PEAK. CIRCULAR ROUTE. 11KM +400m/-400m
The Brañas Vaqueiras de Teverga route has become one of the most popular walks to enjoy this Asturian council full of environmental and cultural treasures such as its bear forests or its "teito cabins". Furthermore, this circular route that joins several "brañas" adds extra attraction, such as the ascent to Michu Peak, a fantastic viewpoint of this entire Tevergan area and at the same time of a large part of the neighbouring council of Somiedo, which we have travelled during the previous days. Transfer to Cangas del Narcea. Dinner and accommodation in Parador Nacional de Corias.
Día 6
LEVEL A & B. THE MUAL FOREST. CIRCULAR ROUTE. 10KM +550m/-550m
To put the finishing touch to this unforgettable week, we approach Mual, the largest oak forest in Spain and one of the best preserved in Europe. We are near the Muniellos forest (Biosphere Reserve), which only 20 people are allowed to visit daily, and it is the most protected natural space in Asturias.
To enjoy the immensity of the Atlantic forest and its traditional uses, we will tour a beautiful alternative to Muniellos from the town of Mual, ascending to Montecín and descending through La Collada el Chanu. Transfer to Cangas del Narcea. Dinner and accommodation in Parador Nacional de Corias.
Día 7
On this day, you can rest in the Parador Nacional of Corias and relax in the SPA of the Parador.
If you prefer, you can do a Guided Wine tour.
Guided Wine Tour. 3,5 hours.
Discover the rich history and winemaking tradition of the Cangas del Narcea area. We will follow in the footsteps of wine and enjoy a complete visit to the vineyards and wineries, where centuries of culture and the passion of a family dedicated to wine merge. From the old vineyards to the modern ones, we will learn about the different types of grapes, soils and cultivation techniques. We will discover the winemaking processes and the utensils used in the winery. The experience will culminate with a commented tasting of the winery's wines, paired with local products. Let yourself be carried away by the tradition, enjoyment and paradise each glass of wine contains.
Dinner and Accommodation in Parador Nacional de Corias.
Día 8
Transfer back to Santander airport.
