The 10 most interesting things to see and do in the Oscos-Eo region

The Oscos-Eo region embodies the western essence of Asturias. Its location on the border with Galicia lends it that multicultural flavour of the north-western Iberian Peninsula, making it all the more exotic and unique.

Of the seven Biosphere Reserves in Asturias, it is the only one with a coastline – and what a coastline it is! Dotted with beautiful cliffs and beaches, such as Penarronda, which not only delights bathers and tourists but also captivates pilgrims walking the Camino de la Costa.

But this region is not only home to natural and scenic beauty, in the form of mountain passes, mountains, valleys, trails, rivers and waterfalls, to name but a few. It is also a rich cultural treasure trove: traditional workshops and blacksmiths’ forges, museums, palaces, monasteries, craft traditions such as knife-making and weaving… A whole world of traditions that have survived to the present day in fine fettle, allowing you to fully enjoy a wealth of unique moments and experiences.

Join us on this fascinating journey through the 10 best things to see and do in the Oscos-Eo region!

The Oscos-Eo region has two seaside towns that feature in the rankings of the most beautiful towns along the entire Cantabrian coast. They are As Figueiras and Castropol. Both boast stately homes and palaces, winding streets, seaside taverns and restaurants, marinas, and views of the estuary and the sea.

An ideal way to explore both is to walk along the coastal path that links them. It’s an easy eight-kilometre walk, with the added bonus that you can return by boat, allowing you to savour even more the many charms and hidden corners of the ever-surprising Eo estuary, which is also a nature reserve and a unique spot for birdwatching.

The oysters from the Eo are absolutely delicious, and are undoubtedly one of the must-try delicacies you’ll want to sample in this region. It’s certainly no coincidence that they’re so tasty; the way they’re farmed and the location where they’re grown give them a special quality.

They are farmed in bags anchored to tables situated 150 metres from the shore, which emerge when the tide goes out and are turned over manually at low tide. In this way, they spend part of their lives out of the water, which makes their muscles more robust and allows them to stay fresh for longer. This is how Eduardo Martín, a biologist and founder of the company Acueo, which cultivates this marine delicacy organically within the Eo Estuary Nature Reserve, explains it to us.

The company itself has a small terrace where you can savour them whilst gazing out over the estuary and its wide inlet, as well as the village of Figueras, whilst listening to all the details about how they are farmed.

A divine treat!

One of the most popular and enjoyable walks in this region is the Mazo de Meredo trail, in the municipality of Vegadeo. The walk begins in Piantón, a charming village that was once the municipal capital, where we recommend a stroll around the square and a visit to the church.

Once you’ve crossed the Roman bridge, turn left and head towards Arcilo. From here on, you’ll be accompanied by the forest and the streams.

From Arcilo, you’ll head to Cobre and from there to Meredo. The watermill is currently closed to visitors, but the route is still well worth the walk.

There, you can recharge your batteries at the picnic area, whilst learning a little more about the tradition of ironworking and the use of water power for energy, through the complex comprising the hammer mill and the watermill.

An idyllic route, where your travelling companion is the River Suarón, a tributary of the Eo. You’ll also pass very close to the Sestelo manor house and enjoy fine views of the valley, taking in a landscape shaped by human activity, with meadows and farmland.

A simply unforgettable walk!

You’ll be able to live the life of a real farmer. And in this region , it’s really easy to do so , thanks to the Amaido farm in San Tirso de Abres.

It comprises 12 hectares of land, divided into two halves: one half is home to native woodland, where Bermeya goats and Celtic pigs roam together. The other half features a village house, a rural campsite and four wooden cabins, alongside a range of organically certified crops, an orchard of organic cider apples, Xalda sheep, Pita Pinta goats, geese, ducks, ponies, etc., as well as a restaurant.

Amaido is a harmonious retreat that will allow you to discover rural life and the peasant way of life, in a friendly, everyday setting, where you can take part in workshops on seasonal tasks – sowing, harvesting, etc. — or bake bread, make cider, take part in the pig slaughter or an ‘amagüestu’ (a gathering to enjoy chestnuts, etc.). Or simply sample the extensive menu of local specialities at the restaurant.

A truly exciting experience!

The coastline of the Oscos-Eo region is particularly striking for its beaches and cliffs. From the mouth of the Eo estuary itself, with its various beaches, to vast, beautiful sandy stretches such as Penarronda in Castropol, the coastline in this area offers plenty to enjoy, from the breeze, sunshine and sea to the coastal footpaths.

But it’s not just about the seaside beaches; this region, where rivers and streams are everywhere, also treats all five senses to river beaches as charming and beautiful as the one at Ferreira, in Santa Eulalia de Oscos, where, as well as having a leisure area, you can hire tourist canoes for pleasant, leisurely trips around the reservoir.

So you’ll be able to choose between the sea and the river!

Water is ever-present in the Oscos-Eo region, so it’s no surprise that it’s home to some of the most beautiful and refreshing waterfalls in Asturias.

They are often idyllic spots that you stumble upon whilst out walking, or the perfect finale to a peaceful stroll. Here are four examples.

The Cioyo waterfall, in Castropol, is a truly unique spot, reached via a trail of some difficulty, but one that turns into an almost magical adventure through woods, rivers and cascades, until you come upon the great waterfall, which looks more like a refuge for mythological creatures.

For its part, the A Salgueira waterfall is one of the great surprises of the Water Route in Taramundi, where , on a leisurely circular walk of around 13 kilometres, you’ll be immersed in the world of water-powered machinery, amidst chestnut and oak forests and fairytale villages such as Os Esquíos and As Veigas.

Likewise, the A Seimeira trail, in Santa Eulalia de Oscos, is another of our aquatic gems in this Oscos-Eo region. With its thirty-metre drop, you’ll find it truly impressive. Just as impressive is the walk to reach it, setting off from the hamlet of Pumares, with the River Agüeria as your companion, and passing through marvellous riverside woodlands. Ancadeira and the Desterrado Valley are other places that will mark your path to A Seimeira.

They say that the Morlongo waterfall, in Villanueva de Oscos, is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Asturias, and it also has the advantage of being easily accessible after a short, effortless walk. It really is an ideal natural spot to enjoy a relaxing day in the healthiest and most peaceful way possible. So now you know: as you head into Los Oscos via the Garganta mountain pass, you’ll find it almost right by the roadside.

But there are also other options for cooling off, such as swimming pools set in spectacular, natural and healthy surroundings, like the one in Santalla (pictured), as well as the pools in Taramundi, San Martín and Villanueva de Oscos.

The Oscos-Eo region is the perfect place to cool off!

The Oscos-Eo region is magical par excellence, and part of this magical world are its many trails and paths, which multiply like the loaves and fishes of the Bible…

For this reason, there is a wide variety of routes for you to enjoy in Oscos-Eo, and all of them have a natural and cultural dimension that will set your heart racing.

One of these is the Water Trail in Taramundi, where, once again, ‘magic’ is the word that best describes it. Here you’ll discover the gallery forests, and winding your way along paths and narrow roads, you’ll reach meccas of ethnography and ingenuity such as O Mazonovo and Os Teixóis. The Salgueira waterfall and a fairytale village like As Veigas round off this unique journey.

The Forcón de los Ríos, in Santa Eulalia de Oscos, is another of those memorable routes where nature and local culture go hand in hand. It starts right next to the Santalla community centre, heading towards Millarado through the woods, where you’ll come across the odd farmhouse. After passing As Poceiras and continuing through mountains and along rivers, you’ll reach the confluence – or ‘forcón’ – of the Villanueva and Barcia rivers, and it is precisely this spot that gives the route its name. After passing through iconic hamlets such as A Valía, Caraduxe and Ferreirela de Riba and de Baxo, you’ll arrive back at the council’s main town.

Another interesting and innovative route is the ‘Ruta con Arte’ ( Art Route), also in Los Oscos, which follows the path of ‘A Mina de As Talladas’. This is a 12-kilometre route which, in its first section, offers walkers a unique experience where art and nature merge. The seventeen works of art, scattered along the PR 203 trail, include a varied mix of paintings, sculptures in wood, iron, stone and wicker, ceramics and poetry in the local dialect. These pieces, created by local and national artists, blend seamlessly into the landscape.

Highlights include Keiko Shimizu’s iron animal figures, the giant acorns carved by Eugenio Linares and Cristian Marne’s large stone slug. In addition, the ceramicist Natalia Suárez has created a circle of mushrooms in Ferreirela de Baxo, whilst the poetry in Fala, displayed in methacrylate frames, invites reflection. You can also admire the mural by graffiti artist Diego As and the faces carved by Antonio Martínez in As Barreiras. The installation by Busom and Cid, which combines resin and Renaissance paintings on stacked logs, brings to a close a route that, whilst respecting nature, transforms the footpath into an open-air gallery.

On the other hand, the black-market trail in Vegadeo is a perfect blend of the clandestine spirit of the black-market traders and the spiritual bohemianism of the pilgrims. This route, which begins in Louteiro, follows a path once used by pilgrims on the Way of St James and black-market traders, who avoided the main roads to smuggle goods from Galicia to Asturias. The route runs along the banks of the River Eo, allowing you to enjoy the flora, fauna and incredible landscapes. Furthermore, in Abres there are still jetties, and in A Sela de Murias an old inn that once welcomed pilgrims and mule drivers. On the final stretch to Louteiro, a forest and a green carpet of shrubs will accompany you to the end of the route.

And, of course, this region is an active part of the cultural and spiritual journey par excellence: the Way of St James. For over a thousand years, the Coastal Way has wound its way through these landscapes, passing through the lands of Castropol, Vegadeo and Abres, guiding pilgrims on the Way of St James straight to Compostela.

Enjoy the thousand trails and paths of Oscos-Eo!

The Oscos-Eo region could well be called a blacksmith’s paradise. Both Taramundi and Los Oscos are home to a number of places where forges and blacksmiths can still be found. These are places full of magic, where people live simple, wholesome lives, just as they did in days gone by.

In Taramundi, you mustn’t miss Os Teixóis, an old hamlet featuring numerous water-powered devices, all of which still work just as they did centuries ago. So, from a sledgehammer to a wire-drawing wheel, via the ‘blacksmith’s workshop’, you’ll be transported back in time at a single glance. What’s more, once in Taramundi, you can make the most of your visit by following the Ruta de los Ferreiros, a route of just 6 kilometres that takes you from the council capital to the village of Pardiñas, home to the Cutlery Museum.

Los Oscos is another unmissable destination when discussing the culture of the blacksmiths, and you can see this for yourself at a truly special place such as El Mazonovo, in Santa Eulalia de Oscos, where the new generations of blacksmiths reveal all the secrets of the craft of fire, just as they learnt them from their ancestors.

This region is rich in historical and cultural heritage, as evidenced by the many stately homes, palaces, churches and monasteries scattered throughout the area.

As a particularly inspiring suggestion, we invite you to discover the Palacio de Mon and its walking route, in the municipality of San Martín de Oscos. This route begins in the village of A Revoqueira, very close to the council’s administrative centre, where you can admire examples of well-preserved traditional architecture, as well as pastures dotted with livestock. You’ll then head into the native woodland until you reach Mon, where you’ll be captivated by the majesty of its palace, one of the finest examples of Baroque and stately architecture in Asturias. You’ll also reach the chapel of Santa Marina and the secluded hamlet of Mon. In this area, you’ll be enchanted by the surroundings of the River Ahío, characterised by its riverside woodland.

And, of course, you cannot leave Los Oscos without visiting the Monastery of Santa María de Villanueva de Oscos, a gem comprising a north-facing Romanesque church and a beautiful south-facing courtyard. Built in the 12th century, it was first occupied by the Benedictine Order and later by the Cistercians. Over time, it was remodelled and extended, particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries. Nowadays, it is used primarily for cultural purposes, and the truth is that its imposing presence lends Villanueva an air of mystery and legend.

And as you head towards the coast of this region, you can – in this case, best by car – take a look at the Vegadeo Palaces Route, where you’ll find such interesting buildings as the 17th-century Casa del Rego in Piantón; in A Veiga (the council’s capital), the 16th-century Lastra Palace and the Valledor Palace; the Vixande Palace, in the village of the same name; and, in Abres, the Pividal Palace, with its crenellated tower and chapel.

There’s plenty of history waiting for you in this region!

The Oscos-Eo region is truly a unique museum-like area, with facilities where you can experience a variety of activities, as well as worlds that belong to another era.

In Taramundi, you’ll find the Mazonovo Mills Museum, set in a stunningly beautiful spot on the banks of the Turía and Cabreira rivers, where you can see 18 mills and immerse yourself completely in the world of these powerful inventions. Also in Taramundi, specifically in the village of Pardiñas, is the Cutlery Museum, where you can learn all about handcrafted pocket knives and see the world’s largest pocket knife.

In Los Oscos there are two other fine examples of some of the most interesting and interactive museums. Firstly, the Bread Ecomuseum in Santa Eufemia, Villanueva de Oscos, which showcases the entire bread-making process, from sowing the grain to baking, including harvesting, milling and kneading. In other words, it’s a real treat to be able to journey back to the origins of natural and healthy food.

Secondly, the Marqués de Sargadelos Birthplace Museum, situated in the municipality of Santa Eulalia de Oscos, and more specifically in Ferreirela de Baxo, is dedicated to the life and work of this merchant, industrialist and man of the Enlightenment, who, in the late 18th century, built one of Spain’s first cast-iron and earthenware factories in Sargadelos (Cervo, Lugo). And here’s an interesting fact for you: this museum organises a wide range of workshops for children and adults, particularly in the summer.

What’s more, this region is the ideal place to experience traditional craftsmanship first-hand. Both in Taramundi and in Los Oscos there are various cutlery and pocket-knife workshops that you can visit.

Another craft with deep-rooted traditions in the area is weaving, and in Santalla, the main town of Santa Eulalia de Oscos, you can visit Irene’s loom to see how this ancient textile tool is used.

But if you’d prefer an even more interactive leisure activity, Artesanamente offers a wide range of workshops and courses for learning traditional crafts: beekeeping, blacksmithing, cutlery-making, natural cosmetics, organic soaps, mushroom cultivation, craft beer, cheese-making, bread-making, or an introduction to medicinal plants, amongst other options.

Meanwhile, the family-run business Duxemiel offers beekeeping products and invites you to discover the world of bees through ‘Apiturismo’ – a very popular activity in Los Oscos – which involves, once you’re kitted out like a proper beekeeper, you head to the hive area to see them in situ, as well as the surrounding landscape. The activity concludes with a delicious tasting of products from the hive. It’s a two-hour, fascinating experience in the village of Caraduxe, in Santa Eulalia de Oscos.

By now, of course, you’ll have realised that you’re in a magical land, and if you fancy it, you can see this for yourself on the River Eo. A river of great natural beauty, outstanding environmental quality, and offering plenty of opportunities for outdoor sports.

A canoe trip down the River Eo, from San Tirso de Abres to Vegadeo or Castropol, will allow you to experience very different sensations along its various stretches.

It’s another way to get closer to nature and discover the region from a different perspective. A way to appreciate the landscape of this Biosphere Reserve. These canoe trips will be another of your must-do experiences!

But as if that weren’t enough, you can also explore the countryside on horseback.

As you’ll see, in this region, there’s no time for boredom!