One of the main features of Asturias is the short distance that lies between the mountains and the coastline. The orography of the Principality of Asturias gives way to the winding roads that can take you from the beach to the mountains in a very short space of time. Depending on the road you take, these narrow, winding roads can be daunting, but the places they run through are incredibly beautiful.

One of these roads is the renowned “Carretera del Fito”, which joins the municipality of Colunga on the coast with Parres, inland. I say renown, because this is where the popular motor race takes place each year, the “Subida Internacional al Fito” (International Race to El Fito), which attracts thousands of spectators.

As you move up the mountain, you’ll enjoy the wild countryside and incredible views, but nothing like you’ll see when you reach the top of the pass.

The Mirador del Fito (The Fito Viewpoint) or Mirador del Fitu in Asturian, is found at the top of this pass, although you won’t see it as you approach it. To get to the viewpoint, you have to park the car or bike in a carpark that has been provided on the roadside and continue on foot along a short 200m path.

From the Mirador del Fito, you will see part of the Asturian coastline and its fishing villages, some as important as Lastres or Ribadesella and the amazing rock formations of the Principality of Asturias, the most important being the emblematic Picos de Europa.

And, for hillwalkers, there is a route that will take you to the Cruz del Pienzu (the highest peak of the Sierra del Sueve, at 1159m). But…this route will be dealt with in a separate post along with the many secrets that the Sueve holds.