Turismo Natural

Villaviciosa is a beautiful municipality on the east coast of Asturias. Its cultural heritage, natural resources and gastronomy offer tourists a place of quality tourism, topped by its excellent location and proximity to the main cities of Asturias.

Asturias is well-known for its wealth in: history, culture, gastronomy... But one of its main strengths lies in its natural surroundings, which attracts an endless number of tourists throughout the year that look forward to enjoy it.

There are many ways you can enjoy the country-side of this region: hill walking, rock climbing, mountian biking...

This time, we shall enjoy this acclaimed tourist attraction by mountain bike as we ride a 60km route that runs through the municipalities of: Ribadesella, Parres and Caravia.  You can also walk it, but in which case you will have to split it into two days, at least.

The River of Villaviciosa is one of the best preserved estuaries in northern Spain. The environmental conditions of the river makes it an important source of biodiversity. It has been declared a Partial Nature Reserve, an Area of Community Interest (ACI) and a Special Protection Area (SPAs) for Birds. It is part of the Natura 2000 network and is included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance (RAMSAR). Rodiles beach lies within the Partial Nature Reserve of the River of Villaviciosa. They meet at the river mouth, creating a natural landscape of spectacular beauty.

The lakes at Covadonga are found in the middle of the Picos de Europa National Park. They offer visitors a wide open space where you can enjoy nature to the full. The main attractions are: Lake Enol, Lake La Ercina, Lake El Bricial and the Buferrera Mine, among many others.

The Way of St James has a very important place in European history. The discovery in the 9th century of the tomb of St James provided a common cause that was shared by the emerging Christian monarchies in Asturias and in Villaviciosa and united the lands they had conquered.

In the Asturian municipality of Villaviciosa you’ll discover some beautiful spots, such as the watermill route along river Profundu.
In just over the seven kilometers that separate the villages of Valbúcar and Buslaz, along the course of river Profundu, you’ll come across places that are the inspiration of myths and legends mixed with Asturian ethnography: “Watermillls and ‘maquila*’ mills” (*mills where millers were paid in portions of whatever they milled for others, a “miller’s portion” rather than in money).

Mount Naranco is a peaceful spot just minutes from the centre of Oviedo. There are plenty of walks to enjoy in the midst of nature and history, and from where you will have some magnificent views of the city and other nearby towns and villages.

A while ago I talked about the capital of the Principality of Asturias,  Oviedo, so today I shall talk about one of the most important monuments of this city: the Cathedral of San Salvador, Oviedo although I shall also write about the other equally important monuments of the city in future posts.

Oviedo, one of the cleanest cities in Spain and the capital of the municipality that shares its name and capital of the Principality of Asturias, is located in the centre of the autonomous region in the hillsides of Mount Naranco.

In East Asturias, we can find a well-known village: Arriondas, the capital of the municipality of Parres.

It is well-known all over the world because this capital hosts two international sporting events: the Descenso Internacional del Sella, (the International Descent of the River Sella), founded by Don Dionisio de la Huerta; and the Subida Internacional el Fito (International Ascent to El Fito).