- Address Aller Asturias Centre
- Distance Distance: 13,2 kms
- Difficulty Difficulty: Short
- Code Code: GR208 - Central Mountain Cycle Ring
- Mountain bike Mountain bike: 2 h. 30 min.
- Route type Route type: mtb
- Tour type Tour type: Crossing
- Layout of the route Layout of the route: Download kml
GR208 - Central Mountain Cycle Ring
The fifth stage of the GR-208 Central Mountains Cycling Circuit begins in the outskirts of Santibanes de Murias, taking the AE-3 road and heading downhill. Then take the first turning on the right up a path signposted PR-AS 133 and 236, along which the GR-109 Inland Asturias also runs. Continue along this path, which will soon flatten out, to the village of Villar. Pass through this village and then head eastward uphill towards Coto Bello.
The GR-208 Central Mountains Cycling Circuit gains altitude little by little. You subsequently turn right off the PR-133 path and the Cycling Circuit now runs through an easier, flat area, traversing an extensive wooded area along the hillside, heading northwest towards Moreda.
After the woods, the GR-208 ascends to Curriellos Ridge. Once you have crowned the summit, you will have excellent views over the Cabañaquinta Valley and adjoining ranges, such as that of Navaliego, which separates the boroughs of Aller and Mieres. At Curriellos, the GR-208 bears right in search of the Coto Bello pastures, joining up with the trail heading up to Renorios, which you come off to the left to cross the pastures of Braña de Sote in search of the road to Coto Bello.
At this point, turn left to head downhill along the road to La Collaína, where you come to a broad esplanade where the stretch that will take you quickly downhill to Soto commences. This is a very steep descent which is transited by vehicles and livestock, although the road is wide.
Before you reach the tower in the hamlet of Soto, turn right onto a concrete track that leads to Espineo. After passing a gate and the four houses in this spot, the Central Mountains Cycling Circuit follows a trail threading through pastureland before reaching the River Aller, which you cross over a suspension bridge. You need to take great care and pay attention when crossing the FEVE railway tracks here, where the stage ends at the railway station in the borough capital.
Santibáñez de Murias - Villar - Curriellos - Los Sansones - La Colllaína - Soto - Cabañaquinta
Santibáñez de Murias - Cabañaquinta 13
The fifth stage of the GR-208 "Anillo Ciclista Montaña Central" begins on the outskirts of Santibanes de Murias, taking the AE-3 road downhill to take the first turning on the right that goes up a path marked PR-AS 133 and 236, and along which the GR-109 "Asturias Interior" also runs. We continue along this path, which will soon be flatter, to reach the hamlet of Vil.lar, which we cross to head east towards Coto Bello along a stretch that is now uphill.
Little by little the GR "Anillo Ciclista Montaña Central" gradually gains altitude. Further on, we leave the PR-AS 133 path to the right and the route of the "Anillo Ciclista Montaña Central" now runs on a calmer plane, crossing a large wooded area halfway up the slope, in the direction of Moreda/Morea, following a north-westerly course.
Once past this mass of woodland, the GR-208 climbs up to reach the Curriel.los ridge. Once we reach the top, we will have an excellent panoramic view over the Cabañaquinta valley and the neighbouring mountain ranges, such as Navaliego, which separates the councils of Aller and Mieres. At Curriel.los, the GR-208 turns to the right in search of the pastures of Coto Bello, joining the track that goes up to Renorios, which we leave on the left to cross the meadow of Braña de Sote, looking for the road to Coto Bello.
At this point we turn left and begin a descent on tarmac to La Collaína, where we come to a wide esplanade where the branch that allows us to descend quickly towards Soto starts. This is a very steep descent, but with wide traces, on which vehicles and livestock circulate.
In the village of Soto and in front of the tower, we turn right onto a concrete track that takes us to Espineo. Once past a gate and the four local houses, the Central Mountain Cycle Route follows a path through the meadows until it reaches the Aller River, which is crossed by a suspension bridge. Here there is nothing left to do but cross the FEVE tracks with great care and attention, ending the stage in front of the railway station in the capital of the council.