Asturias, the bear country

From Oviedo airport, you first travel by bus, to reach the city centre (45min, see www.alsa.es, departures hourly, book in advance). You then take a local train to the peaceful town of Grado. Taxi transfer to tour accommodation, a 3-star rural hotel with spacious rooms and a comfortable sitting room, dining room and garden. A lovely place to relax as you begin to soak up the peaceful ambience in 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. If you prefer a direct taxi transfer from Oviedo or Oviedo airport, you can book this in advance through S-cape.   

Challenge: Travel to Asturias.

The first walking route of this program takes you through the valley of Grado, home to over 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 tiny (abandoned) villages. After 8 km you have the choice of doing an adventurous hike on ancient footpaths through the Sierra de Cuota or continue along quiet country lanes to the village of Vallonga or Vayo, where you can arrange to be picked up by a taxi.

Challenge: 14.5 - 15.5 km / 9 - 9,5 mi, 5.5 / 6 hrs, 515 / 380 m ascent, 665 / 385 m descent.

Today you have 2 options:

One route leads from Sama de Grado to Proaza, following quiet country lanes with just one ascent, up to the Sierra de Buanga. As you walk, 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 your descent toward the Trubia River. Down in the valley, you pick up a converted railway path, now the popular walking and cycling route known as the Senda del Oso. This “Way of the Bear” takes you past a small reserve where two Asturian brown bears have been raised in captivity in a desperate attempt to increase the native (bear) population. At the end of the day, you reach your next accommodation, a family-run hotel situated on the square, in the pleasant village of Proaza. 

Challenge: 15 km / 9,5 mi, 5.5 - 6 hrs, 575 m ascent and descent

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

Challenge: 13.5 km / 8,5 mi, 5.5 - 6 hrs walking, 500 m ascent and descent

Taxi transfer to Banduxu, a charming medieval village located 11 km / 7 mi from Proaza. From there you will begin your ascent toward Caldoveiro Peak, with very nice views of the area. Afternoon transfer from Santa Ana hermitage to your hotel in Teverga.

In case of bad weather: If you fancy doing something completely different, you can ride with the luggage to Teverga and hire a bike to cycle the valley on the Senda del Oso and / or visit the Prehistory Park in San Salvador de Alesga. At this unique museum, replicas of prehistoric paintings are on display inside natural caves. We provide a circular walking route which leads to the museum.

Note: Costs for today’s activities are not included (bicycle hire or museum visit to be paid locally).

Challenge: 15.5 km / 9,5 mi, 1000 m ascent (325m starting in Banduxu), 350m descent, 7 hrs (5 hrs from Banduxu)

Transfer to the beginning of the higher route, at San Lorenzo Pass (at 1345 m altitude). From there you will follow the Camín Real de la Mesa. Option of being picked up in the village of Urria after 14 km or at Santa Ana Chapel.

In case of bad weather: If you fancy doing something completely different, you can hire a bike to cycle the valley on the Senda del Oso and / or visit the Prehistory Park in San Salvador de Alesga. At this unique museum, replicas of prehistoric paintings are on display inside natural caves. We also provide a circular walking route which leads to the museum.

Note: Costs for today’s activities are not included (bicycle hire or museum visit to be paid locally).

Challenge: 19 km / 12 mi, 200 m ascent, 650 m descent, 5 - 6 hrs

Today you do the most spectacular walk of the entire program, which offers continuous panoramic views toward the Natural Park of Somiedo (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) and Ubiña-La Mesa, while you follow the Camín Real de la Mesa along the ridge “Cordal de la Mesa”. After 5 km / 3 mi you begin your descent toward Arbellales and finally Valle del Lago, in Somiedo Natural Park. On the way you might have a chance to spot the Cantabrian Brown Bear, quite common in this area.

Challenge: 15 km / 9,5 mi, 700 m ascent, 800 descent, 6.5 hrs

The Natural park has so many activities and landscapes to offer, that we have selected a couple of walks for you to choose from (or book an extra night here to enjoy them all!)

A classic walk to the lake Lago del Valle on an alternate route that avoids a busy gravel track for the first 9 km. 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 1945 m altitude, following a very clear path. On the way you walk through Mayada de Sousas, Loma los Michos, El Putracón and Peña Salgada, before returning to Valle del Lago 

Challenge:  15.5 km / 9,5 mi, 6.5 hrs, 650 / 600 m ascent and descent

Your arrangement comes to an end today after breakfast. Option of a short walk to Pola de Somiedo, where you catch the bus.

Challenge: 8 km / 5 mi, 20 m ascent, 500 m descent, 3.5 hrs