The best mountain viewpoints in Asturias

They say that a single second is enough to fall in love, and that staring for a short period of time generates an irresistible attraction. It is clear that they have come to this conclusion by driving through the 15 most spectacular mountain viewpoints in Asturias. They will steal your heart too!

This selection of accessible viewpoints in the Asturian mountains is perfect for those who don't want to - or can't - go mountain hiking, but still want to enjoy the panoramic views of the Cantabrian Mountains at their best.

A total of 15 viewpoints that can be reached by car while you enjoy driving along the roads of the mountain passes of the Principality of Asturias, some of them very famous thanks to the tough cycling stages of the Tour of Spain.

A journey from east to west, passing through Asturian villages where getting lost will be a pleasure. Especially for your sense of taste, as in the remote villages you will be able to sample the typical products of each council, cooked by Asturian cooks. Have I convinced you yet?

Did you know that...? In Asturias there are 8 councils with mountains over 1,000 metres above sea level, and 11 others over 2,000 metres. It is in the Picos de Europa National Park where the highest peaks in Asturias are concentrated, with altitudes of over 2,600 metres.

The Mirador de la Reina, the Entrelados, the Fitu and the Pedro Udaondo, four viewpoints that show you the mountainous essence of eastern Asturias, formed mainly by the Picos de Europa and its surroundings.

Spectacular viewpoint with views of the Picu Urriellu or Naranjo de Bulnes, in the council of Cabrales. A 100% accessible viewpoint with parking and a small rest area ideal for a picnic.

A visit to Asiegu, Exemplary Village of Asturias in 2019, and a guided tour of the caves where one of the most popular cheeses in Asturias, Cabrales Cheese, is made is a must.

It may be the most visited viewpoint in Asturias! Located between the lakes Enol and Ercina, the two most popular lakes in Cuadonga/Covadonga. But did you know that there are actually 3 of them? The Bricial lakeis only visible after heavy rains or during the thawing season.

Although from the car park you can enjoy the bucolic scenery of both lakes separately, the picture postcard image is obtained by climbing a stone staircase or, failing that, a path without steps, but with a fairly steep slope. From the top you can see both lakes with a simple turn of the head. Please note that access to the Covadonga Lakes is regulated during the high season.

This natural balcony is located on the access road to the Cuadonga/Covadonga Lakes.

There is a car park, but it is not 100% accessible, as it is necessary to walk a couple of metres over the small promontory on which it sits.

Iconic image of Asturias for years and the protagonist of countless tourist advertising campaigns. The El Fitu viewpoint is in the council of Parres, in the heart of the Sierra de El Sueve mountain range. Reaching it, either from Caravia (on the coastal road) or from Arriondas (inland), is an unforgettable journey.

At El Fitu the mountains merge with the Cantabrian Sea. It is, without doubt, one of the most spectacular landscapes in Asturias. From the car park there is a small path that leads to the base of the viewpoint. From there the views are already fantastic, and if you climb up to the platform you will be left speechless. An information panel will help you to locate the peaks that rise up before your eyes.

Nine viewpoints with the most varied views: to the Cantabrian coast, to mining landscapes, to cities like Oviedo/Uviéu, to mountain passes or to marvellous towns and villages.

Although it is a very low peak, its proximity to the coast of Gijón (8 kilometres) makes this peak a must, not only for the views of the Cantabrian Sea, but also for the possibility of making out the Sierra del Pedroso and the Sierra del Aramo.

This viewpoint has a car park and is 100% accessible.

In the heart of the Cuencas Mineras Protected Landscape, near the Santa Bárbara mine shaft(council of Mieres), we find this solemn viewpoint. At the top there is a sculpture representing miners surrounded by the metal structure of the shafts. To get to the top you have to walk along a small spiral path that starts from the car park. It is not long, but it is not adapted.

Next to the car park you can also see the entrance to the old didactic classroom that in the 1970s was set up in a disused mine shaft. A large number of schoolchildren used to go there to learn more about the main economic engine of the region, mining.

On a visit to the city of Oviedo/Uviéu, capital of Asturias, a trip to the summit of Monte Naranco is a must. It is one of the most photographed places, as it is crowned by an enormous sculpture of the Sacred Heart - like the Corcovado Christ in Brazil.

In addition, at the foot of the mountain you will find two of the jewels of Asturian pre-Romanesque architecture, Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo. As if that wasn't enough, you can have lunch in one of the Naranco's restaurants, which have spectacular terraces!

The N-630 road joins the Meseta with the Principality, and is one of the main communication routes. It has several lay-bys from where you can enjoy an unbeatable panoramic view of the council of Lena at any time of the year.

If you have time, you can go up to the Valgrande-Pajares Winter and Mountain Resort, one of the oldest in Spain.

It is the highest peak in Asturias that you can climb by car, and it is also the highest peak in the Sierra del Aramo, in the municipality of Quirós. In 2021 it featured in a new stage of the Vuelta a España and has been christened "The other Angliru of Asturias", in allusion to the toughness of the race.

Reaching the summit is not complicated - if you don't come across anyone in the opposite direction - as there are telephone and radio television aerials at the top. However, you cross a grassy area and it is necessary to take extreme precautions as there may be horses and cows along the way.

This mountain pass in Asturias, belonging to the council of Riosa , is famous for the 23.5% gradient of the "Cueña les Cabres". An extreme challenge for road cycling enthusiasts. If you go up by bike you will be left breathless by the effort, and if you go up by car, the views! - especially a couple of bends before you reach the top.

At the highest point there is a car park from where some mountain routes start. Unlike the Gamoniteiro, access by road is easy, and the grazing area is at the top.

This Asturian village on the western slopes of the Aramo, is a viewpoint in itself and can boast a thousand-year-old tree that has been declared a Natural Monument, the Texu de Bermiego. The road leading to the village offers fantastic views of the Valdemurio reservoir and the Quirós Valley, a panoramic view that you can enjoy from various points in Bermiego.

In addition to the yew tree, there is also a collection of granaries in the centre of the village. There is a small car park at the entrance to the village. Nearby you can visit the Ethnographic Museum of Quirós, located in the facilities of some old blast furnaces; do water sports in the reservoir; or walk the Senda del Oso eco-route.

One of the most popular sleepy villages in Asturias. Banduxu is home to a medieval ensemble in good condition, which is why it has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest.

The village can be reached by following the route of the Medieval Way to Vandugio from the Senda del Oso, or by car. The views of the steep mountains from the church viewpoint or from the Toral neighbourhood are simply overwhelming and unforgettable.

In the Puertos de Marabio Natural Monument (Las Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park) you can reach the Santa Ana hermitage by car. There you will find a viewpoint with a panel that will help you to interpret the peaks visible on the horizon.

This place was important in ancient times for the pilgrims on the Primitive Way who followed the Camín Real de la Mesa. From the car park, the Puertos de Marabio circular route starts, which is particularly interesting due to the cavities formed in the limestone rocks.

Three memorable viewpoints, one of them overlooking the canyon of the river Navia, and the other two - in Boal - one overlooking the coast and the other inland.

We enter the Navia Historical Park to reach the old workers' settlement of A Paicega, in the municipality of Pesoz. As well as visiting the ruins of the buildings inhabited by the workers who built the Grandas de Salime dam, you can enjoy the views of the Navia river canyon from the viewpoint that has been set up. You can get there by taking a simple walk from the car park.

Nearby you can visit Argul, a village with a peculiar architecture that has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest.

Two viewpoints have been set up in the Sierra de Penouta : Penouta Costa, with views of the Asturian coastline and part of La Mariña Lucense; and Penouta Interior - shown in the photo above - from where you can see the municipalities of Boal and Villayón, as well as the mountain ranges of central Asturias.

This last viewpoint is located next to a recreational area where you will also find one of the burial mounds that make up the Penouta Tomb Necropolis.

After this intense and extensive tour, what other Asturian mountain viewpoints that can be reached by car would you include in this list?