The Huella del Oro and Huella del Escayo routes in Tineo

The Huella del Oro and Escayo routes are a perfect combination to discover the area known as the Cuarto de los Valles, in the northern part of the council of Tineo.

Both complement each other perfectly. The first is perfect if you are looking for a short and affordable walk. On the other hand, if you want to extend your walk around Navelgas and visit this area beyond its gold mines, you can combine it with the second one.

The Valle del Oro, as this green corner of south-western Asturias is also known, is home to countless ancient archaeological treasures , as well as natural treasures, with native forests and trails that are still unknown to most visitors.

Come and explore these valleys full of history and exuberant nature, and you will see that the Huella del Oro and Escayo routes will not disappoint you!

The routes of the Escayo (PR. AS-285) and the Huella del Oro (PR. AS-195) are two different routes, although they can be joined together in a fairly easy circular path, 9 kilometres long (in total), 4 and a half hours long and with a positive difference in altitude of 330 metres.

It is important for you to know that, although we will talk about the characteristics of each of the trails separately below, in this route proposal we have merged the first part of the Escayo route with the first part of the Huella del Oro route. However, the latter will be done in the opposite direction to the usual route in order to complete the itinerary in style.

The Escayo route is easy. It is 7.5 kilometres of linear path (about 3.5 hours one way depending on the pace) which is circular when joined to the Huella del Oro trail and has a positive difference in altitude of 235 metres.

It is a fairly accessible route for children who are not very young and are not used to walking, as it is not too physically demanding or dangerous. In any case, you should take into account the difference in altitude, and assess your particular case before venturing to do it.

Younger children may find it a bit complicated and tiring, so it is not the best option for them. On the other hand, if both you and your little one can stand it, you can do it carrying your child, paying attention to the ground, especially in slippery and steeper areas.

* The Huella del Oro route (which I'll tell you about next), much easier and shorter, is a great alternative to do with small children!

On the other hand and unfortunately, the Escayo route is not suitable for pushchairs or for people with reduced mobility who use wheelchairs or other aids.

Although the road surface is quite good, some sections are a bit closed by vegetation, as it is a wet area where plants grow quickly, so it is not a good option for cycling.

On the other hand, if you decide to do it with dogs, they will have a great time, because the route crosses the Navelgas river on a couple of occasions and they will be able to take a refreshing dip to recharge their batteries.

The Huella del Oro route, which starts at the Navelgas bowling alley, is very easy. It is 1.5 kilometres long (approximately 45 minutes), and the route is circular. The positive difference in altitude is 125 metres, which is covered in the first half of the route, as the second half is all downhill.

Itcan be done with small children, walking if they already have a certain level of skill or carrying them, but if you choose this alternative, you have to be very careful, as the terrain can be slippery and there may be branches and roots.

However, it is not suitable for pushchairs or people with reduced mobility. It is also not suitable for bicycles, as the path is narrow, steep (especially the first part), and there are many obstacles (branches, trunks...).

If you aregoing to do it with your dog, you should bear in mind that there is no water along the route, so although it is very short, you will have to take something with you to keep it cool.

This route, which joins the Escayo and Huella del Oro routes, begins next to the Navelgas Gold Museum.

From there, walk along the pavement next to the AS-219 road (towards Bárcena del Monasterio/Pola de Allande) for about 300 metres, until you see a path on the right-hand side of the road that climbs up to the mountain next to a house.

After about 500 metres we reach the road again, on which we will have to drive a little further, this time on the hard shoulder, so we must take extreme caution, especially if we are travelling with children or dogs.

We turn left next to a tractor workshop (towards Tarantiellos), and shortly afterwards to the right, to walk along a tarred track that runs parallel to the river Navelgas.

We will look for the route signs at all times, although in some sections only the posts are still standing, so you should keep an eye out for them. In any case, there is not much to lose, and we should continue along the main track, without straying too far from the river bed.

Along the route, you will cross several bridges that are almost hidden by the vegetation. The biggest one, which crosses the river Navelgas, is the bridge of Carceda, a perfect area for your four-legged companions (or even your two-legged ones, who knows?!) to take a dip.

After crossing the bridge, follow the path to the right alongside the river, and climb gradually until you reach the road. A few metres along the road, take a detour on the right towards Folgueras de Muñalén.

Just as you reach the first house in the village, turn left towards the mountain. The first stretch of the track may be a little closed, but don't worry because although the first few metres are a bit of a nuisance, it soon opens up into a beautiful forest.

We will start to climb towards the Sierra de Balbón, although we will not reach the summit, as almost at the top, we will take a track that goes to the left, following the signs for the Escayo route.

We will continue straight on along the mountainside, enjoying the panoramic view over the Cuarto de los Valles, and shortly afterwards we will turn right and then left, to start descending, joining the Huella del Oro route.

Then we must follow a very short stretch of road (AS-219) to the left (towards Navelgas), and then take a path also to the left going downhill, following the signs for the Huella del Oro route.

The path can be a little hidden by the vegetation, but after a few steps it opens up again in a valley of great beauty.

During this section of the route, we will visit the remains of several Roman gold mines dating from the 1st-2nd centuries AD. Two seams of 900 and 700 metres were mined here, in a gold mining complex made up of several underground mines of which channels, trenches, deposits and mouths are still preserved.

They used the technique known as Ruina Montium, i.e. water, fire and other elements were applied to the cavities, and in this way gravity, together with the pressure of the water, managed to break up the rock, creating the cavities from which the gold was later extracted.

The Romans diverted the river Naraval from its source in Folgueras del río, collecting water from springs and streams up to the Chao de la Muela, where two reservoirs were built to later use the force of the water to open up the mountain.

It is curious to think that we are walking through an artificial valley, isn't it? In fact, before its exploitation, the whole valley was actually a mountain, and the resulting rubble was deposited under what is now the village of Navelgas.

Returning to our route, the route will take us to the Entrepeñas Mine, where the La Moura shaft is located, a dark gallery that is currently inaccessible because it is flooded, but which we can see from the outermost part.

A few steps further on there is a turning on the left going uphill, although if you have time and desire it is worth going straight on until you reach the crossroads signposted "calero", visit it and then turn back to this point to continue.

* The "caleros" were stone ovens used to burn limestone to obtain quicklime.

The vegetation is exuberant on this last stretch of the route, with different species of ferns (royal, stag's tongue, etc.), ash, alder, willow, hazel, chestnut and even beech trees (a species that is not usually found at such low altitudes).

Along the last metres of the route we will also see the remains of some xoxas, circular constructions about 1.5 metres high that were used to store the chestnut hedgehogs when they fell from the trees.

At the end of our route we will be welcomed by the bowling alley, which is still in very good condition, and where the Celtic game of bolo is still played. If you decide to go inside to have a closer look, remember to be respectful of this space, which many locals are still lucky enough to enjoy.

A little further on, walking towards the AS-219 road that will take us back to Navelgas, we will pass by the recreational area, which has a small children's playground and numerous tables where we can eat, have a snack or rest after these long 9 kilometres.

Navelgas is one of the most picturesque villages in the southwest of Asturias, which is why it is not surprising that it was chosen as an Exemplary Village of Asturias in 2003 by the Prince of Asturias Foundation (now the Princess of Asturias Foundation).

So, before you go, don't forget to take a stroll up to the Navelgas de Arriba neighbourhood to enjoy its traditional architecture.

This is the oldest part of the town, where every year the Magic Night and Festival of the Esfoyón and the Amagosto is held, a day in which the neighbourhood goes back in time through a display of traditions and crafts.

Another essential stop to round off your visit is the Asturias Gold Museum, where you'll learn much more about the link between Navelgas and gold. It's also a great place to visit with children, as they can even go panning for gold nuggets and feel like real explorers.