The best adventure sports to enjoy as a family in Asturias

Fancy having some amazing experiences with your loved ones? Want to escape the daily grind? We’ve got the solution: why not try some family adventure sports? A new way of travelling is taking off, and activities such as canyoning, caving, surfing, hiking or cycling are the perfect way to immerse yourself in the landscape and reach incredible places. And if there’s one place that’s a paradise for active tourism, it’s Asturias. Its unrivalled natural resources allow you to combine nature, relaxation and sport.

What’s more, these adventure sports are carried out with complete peace of mind. The Principality boasts a wide range of active tourism companies offering multi-adventure activities with the highest safety standards and certified technical equipment, so you can enjoy the experience with complete peace of mind. All you’ll have to worry about is enjoying a unique family adventure.
 

Canoeing in Asturias is a thrilling family activity. With several calm rivers and beautiful scenery, it offers a unique water-based experience for parents and children alike, creating unforgettable memories.

There are many rivers that flow through Asturias from north to south, so there are always stretches of calm water that offer the perfect experience for young children. Although the Sella river is the best known for canoeing, the truth is that there are many more spectacular natural spots for canoeing along the river. The calmest waters can be found on the River Deva, the River Eo and the River Polea, in the Navia Valley. No previous experience is required to paddle these rivers, and some sections can even be tackled without an instructor. And for the more adventurous, there is the River Nalón, the most abundant of the mining region’s rivers, which, as it flows through Pravia, offers the chance for a family outing to explore the natural wealth of Asturias in depth.

Stand-up paddleboarding is a sport that originated in Polynesia and involves standing and paddling on an inflatable board that is larger and more stable than a surfboard. Its popularity in recent years is down to the fact that it requires neither waves nor exceptional physical fitness. What’s more, it’s suitable for all ages and offers great physical benefits, as it combines strength, balance and stamina. It’s the ideal sport for an exciting family experience.

Exploring stand-up paddleboarding in Asturias means delving into a myriad of spots with calm waters and unrivalled natural scenery, offering a unique opportunity for the whole family to share unforgettable moments surrounded by the region’s rich aquatic environment. It is no surprise, then, that Asturias boasts one of the longest coastlines in Spain, featuring a succession of beaches and sandy shores with gentle waves that are ideal for practising this sport. These include San Lorenzo beach in Gijón, Palombina beach in Llanes, La Espasa beach in the municipality of Caravia, Otur beach in the municipality of Valdés, and the Villaviciosa estuary. Without a doubt, this is a vast stretch of coastline waiting to be discovered, with beaches that are highly recommended for families with children.
 

Underground rivers, rock formations, interconnected tunnels, caves… these are just some of the surprises that await you in the underground world of Asturias. The Principality is home to hundreds of kilometres of caves and passages beneath its surface; in the Picos de Europa alone, there are over 400 km of underground passages.

This karstic wealth of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, columns… is evident in the numerous caves and grottoes open to visitors in Asturias. There are options to suit all levels of difficulty and tastes. Some allow you to explore at a leisurely pace on foot, whilst others offer a greater sense of adventure with more striking natural obstacles such as siphons, chimneys and narrow passages…
 

In any case, caving in Asturias invites families to explore the fascinating underground world. In places such as the family-friendly Pando Caves in Ribadesella, the Huerta Cave in Teverga and the Alda Cave in Ortiguero (Cabrales), the underground adventure becomes an unforgettable experience. Exploring these caves reveals the region’s hidden beauty, offering an exciting journey to the heart of the earth.

Discover the wild side of the Principality by going canyoning with your children. Canyoning in Asturias is like a natural water park, offering the thrill of descending through stunning landscapes with slides and jumps. It’s an ideal outdoor activity for the whole family to enjoy, as it’s a vibrant mix of hiking, swimming and climbing.

Whilst it is true that most gorges have a minimum age requirement of around 12 years, there are some family-friendly gorges, such as the Buró Gorge, very close to Arenas de Cabrales, which can be explored with children aged 6 and over. Another canyon suitable for younger children, which is ideal for beginners, is the descent of the River Vallegón, near Cangas de Onís. In any case, the activity promises exciting water-based adventures for the whole family. Discovering the beauty of the Asturian gorges thus becomes an unforgettable experience, combining fun and nature in one place.

Horse riding can be so much more than just a sport; as well as being an art form, it can be an adventure. The best way to explore the beauty of Asturias is to go for a ride through such iconic spots as Los Oscos, Taramundi, Cudillero, Arriondas and Pola de Siero, which offer families a unique experience.

Go on an excursion on the back of a gentle horse, ready to ride through lush beech and oak woods, surrounded by mountains with views of the Picos de Europa, the Sierra del Sueve or the Oscos Biosphere Reserve-Eo, which, before we know it, becomes an unforgettable experience for the children. In this way, we take the opportunity to discover the majesty of Asturian nature through this exciting equestrian activity.

Set off with your family to enjoy the tranquillity of sea kayaking, exploring the calm waters of places such as Llanes or the Villaviciosa estuary. A unique water-based experience that immerses you in the coastal beauty of Asturias, offering moments of peace and connection with nature.

Paddling just a few metres from the coast gives you the chance to discover new or familiar landscapes from a different perspective. Cliffs, beaches, caves, hidden coves and arches rising above sea level are just some of the surprises that await you on this adventure.
 

Embark on exciting water-based adventures surfing in Asturias, with top destinations such as Tapia de Casariego and San Lorenzo Beach in Gijón. Experience the adrenaline rush of the waves in these unique coastal settings, where nature and surfing come together to create unforgettable moments.

Surfing requires perseverance, patience and manageable waves. You’ll find all of this in abundance in Asturias, as it’s one of the most popular surfing destinations on the Iberian Peninsula.
 

Discover the natural splendour of Asturias through its walking routes, which are ideal for children, where kilometres upon kilometres of signposted trails guide you through breathtaking landscapes. With its rugged terrain of intricate mountains and green meadows, Asturias is home to beech and oak forests in their purest form, boasting high environmental value and a rich natural heritage.

There is no greater pleasure than immersing yourself in the beauty of the Asturian countryside whilst exploring the region’s natural diversity on foot. With numerous protected areas, natural parks, national parks and biosphere reserves, a wonderful family experience is guaranteed.

Another ideal adventure activity for the whole family is exploring the natural beauty of Asturias on two wheels. Cycling along the greenways of the Senda del Oso, the Vía Verde del Eo or the Vía Verde de Fuso opens up a wide range of natural landscapes featuring green valleys, wooded areas and deep gorges. It’s a healthy, fun and comfortable way to discover hidden corners that are unimaginable and inaccessible by car.

In short, these are easy, charming cycle routes that offer captivating scenery whilst you enjoy exciting bike rides. This form of sustainable tourism is designed to be enjoyed by the whole family, promoting outdoor activities that bring you closer to nature.

Immerse yourself in thrilling challenges at Asturias’ exhilarating multi-adventure parks. A unique experience featuring suspension bridges, zip lines and cables suspended in the air, promising thrills for the whole family. You can enjoy this way of exploring nature and pushing your limits in unique locations such as the Vidosa multi-adventure park in the Beyos Gorge, the AguaXosa Aventura park in Salave and Tapia, or the thrilling treetop adventure parks in Llanes and Ribadesella.

All these destinations offer adrenaline-fuelled experiences, inviting families to enjoy thrilling adventures together that challenge their physical and mental abilities whilst connecting with the Asturian countryside.

The beauty of Asturias and its vast natural spaces make it the ideal destination for families seeking green and sustainable tourism, but not without a certain dose of adventure. Here, you’ll find no shortage of idyllic landscapes and unforgettable experiences that combine physical activity with time spent in nature. A blend of thrills and alternative experiences that can complement traditional sun-and-beach holidays. What do you think? Are you up for sharing some incredible moments with your family through these adventure sports?