The best ecotourism experiences in Asturias

Asturias is a true ecological paradise. It’s that place where nature envelops you on all sides. You’ll find yourself swept up in extraordinary sensations as you discover species you never even imagined existed, hear new sounds, and photograph unrivalled landscapes.

Forests, coastline, mountains, trails. All within easy reach. So simple, so human. You just have to experience it for yourself.

In this Asturian eco-paradise, you’ll feel just like Charles Darwin did when he formulated his theory of the evolution of species…

A real immersion in nature awaits you!

Asturias offers you an endless array of natural scenes to photograph, as there are thousands of spots and moments you can capture with your camera or mobile device.

These are true wonders that instantly enrich not only your life, but also your social media, blogs and other online or offline channels.

What’s more, as the landscapes are so beautiful and the light in Asturias so flattering, you don’t need to be a professional photographer to capture shots that will be admired by everyone who sees them.

Asturias is a favourite with photographers, as it possesses an innate and natural photogenic quality.

Nothing will escape the curiosity of your lens: towering, iconic peaks such as Urriellu or Naranjo de Bulnes; mountain ranges such as the Cuera or the Sueve; coastal landscapes, cliffs and beaches; panoramic viewpoints; oak and beech woodlands, lakes, rivers, streams and waterfalls; characteristic flora and fauna such as bears, wolves and birds…

In short, the suggestions and possibilities are endless, and Asturias awaits you to explore them.

Asturias is a privileged land in the broadest sense of the term, and is therefore an ideal place to enjoy wildlife spotting. The great animals of the Iberian Peninsula gather in this ‘Natural Paradise’, happily inhabiting this Eden where you’ll find a wide variety of species.

Bears, wolves, red deer, fallow deer, chamois, wildcats, genets and otters are just a few notable examples of the Asturian ‘Noah’s Ark’. Among them all, the Cantabrian brown bear stands out in particular as it is the largest land mammal found on the Iberian Peninsula.

So, against this idyllic backdrop, there are many unforgettable experiences awaiting you, such as spotting brown bears in the Somiedo Natural Park and in the Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias Natural Parks. Or a visit to the Casa del Oso in Proaza, followed by a stroll around the bear enclosure along the Senda del Oso trail itself, where you’ll see this magnificent plantigrade in semi-freedom.

When it comes to wolves, you can follow their tracks in the Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias Natural Park, and you’ll also get to know them a little better if you visit the Casa del Lobo in Belmonte de Miranda, where you can also see them in a semi-wild enclosure.

And, of course, another unforgettable natural experience is the rutting season of the red deer, which you can hear in early autumn in the spectacular landscapes of the Aller, Ponga and Somiedo mountains and in the Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park.

You’ll also find it unforgettable to spot chamois in the Picos de Europa National Park and the Redes Natural Park. And to round it all off, catch a glimpse of the Asturcones in the Sierra del Sueve.

The Cantabrian Sea is home to hundreds of fascinating species, and exploring its seabed is a real adventure, just as much as spotting wildlife on the vast expanse of salt water that bathes and enriches the coast of Asturias.

Among the species that can be spotted are dolphins and whales. It is also the case that 7 of the 20 species of whale found on the planet are present in the waters of the Cantabrian Sea, although they are not easy to spot.

Experts say – and we should certainly take their advice – that two of the best areas for spotting cetaceans, particularly dolphins, are the Lastres Canyon and the Cachucho Marine Reserve, the latter situated more than 30 miles north of Ribadesella.

But you can also enjoy these marine treasures on dry land, because there are numerous places in Asturias where you can get to know them a little better. These include the Cabo Peñas Marine Environment Interpretation Centre, the Nalón Estuary Interpretation Centre, the Eo Estuary Interpretation Centre and the Villaviciosa Estuary Interpretation Centre.

What’s more, you shouldn’t miss the Gijón Aquarium, the Luanco Maritime Museum or the Museum of Maritime History in Puerto de Vega, Navia.

By now, nobody doubts that Asturias is a paradise. That is why the really interesting thing is to make the most of the wealth of possibilities offered by this vast natural area, where ecosystems and habitats abound.

From sea level to the highest peaks, Asturias is a succession of landscapes where a wide variety of bird species ‘nest’. In total, there are records of almost 400 species, including both resident and migratory birds.

As a result, birdwatching is an increasingly popular activity, and Asturias ranks amongst Spain’s leading destinations for the sport.

The most notable bird of prey along the coast is the osprey, whilst kingfishers and dippers are abundant along the rivers.

In the forests, the great feathered gem is the now rare Cantabrian capercaillie and the middle spotted woodpecker.

Another ornithological gem is the bearded vulture, whose ideal habitat is the high limestone mountains of the Picos de Europa.

To get the most out of it, birdwatching requires patience and, ideally, a good pair of binoculars. The rest is provided by the ecosystems and the beautiful landscapes.

The Eo and Villaviciosa estuaries are two unmissable wetlands for birdwatching, whilst there are also other key sites such as the Mirador de la Reina viewpoint in the Picos de Europa; the coast of Gijón; Cabo Peñas; the Central Mountains of Asturias; Somiedo; the Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias Natural Park; the Ponga Natural Park; certain areas of the Las Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park; and the La Polina bird observatory at the Rioseco reservoir (Sobrescobio), amongst other sites.

The lush greenery of the Asturian forests is a hallmark of a land where vegetation is evident at every turn.

This green blanket, typical of a temperate and humid climate, is one of the hallmarks of the ‘Natural Paradise’. Indeed, the forests of Asturias are renowned for their grandeur and beauty.

Oak and beech woods cover and add variety to the Asturian landscape, with beech woods being more abundant in the centre and east, whilst oak woods are more common in the west of Asturias.

Furthermore, in mountainous areas, chestnut, birch, holly and yew, amongst others, also play a significant role.

Such a rich and healthy landscape results in a high level of floral biodiversity: algae, fungi, lichens and all manner of plants thrive both on dry land and in riverbeds and coastal areas across Asturias.

So there are many and varied places to visit, enjoy and breathe in the fresh air. But there are a dozen ‘must-see’ natural sites: the Muniellos Forest, one of the largest oak woodlands in Europe, and the Monasterio de Hermo beech forest, which is the largest in Asturias. Both are in Cangas del Narcea. Also in the west, specifically in Allande, lies the Boxo cork oak forest, the largest in the Principality.

In the east lies the San Emeterio holm oak forest, in Pimiango (Ribadedeva); the willow grove at Buelles, in Peñamellera Baja; the beech forests of La Biescona and La Tejeda, both in the Sierra del Sueve; the Peloño forest, in Ponga; and the beech forests of Redes, in Caso and Sobrescobio.

Furthermore, Asturias is one of those places where you travel to see a tree – a tree that is a hundred or a thousand years old, brimming with magic and history. These are true natural monuments and sites of cultural interest, such as the Bermiego Yew in Quirós, or the Carbayón de Valentín in Tineo.

There is a stretch of coastline in Asturias that conceals a fascinating treasure. A treasure that often takes the form of ichnites, or dinosaur footprints. For this reason, this stretch of coastline – which encompasses the municipalities of Ribadesella, Caravia, Colunga, Villaviciosa and Gijón – is known as the ‘Dinosaur Coast’ and stretches for just over 44 kilometres.

These sites containing dinosaur footprints date back 150 million years, to the heart of the Jurassic period, when various species of bipedal and quadrupedal dinosaurs left their footprints imprinted in the then-soft sandy substrate.

So exploring the Asturian Jurassic Coast is an incredible journey through the Earth’s history, and you simply mustn’t miss key sites such as Santa Marina beach and the Tereñes cliffs in Ribadesella; La Griega beach and the Llastres cliffs in Colunga; the port and lighthouse at Tazones, as well as the cliffs at Oles and the Merón beach, all in Villaviciosa.

Also, a must-see is the Jurassic Museum of Asturias (MUJA), which houses the finest collection of dinosaur footprints in Europe and the third largest in the world. Furthermore, the outdoor area features numerous life-size dinosaur replicas, making this a highly educational and entertaining destination for family outings.

The landscapes of Asturias are incredibly varied: gentle hills and rugged peaks, narrow valleys, mighty rivers, rushing streams, unexpected waterfalls, mountain ranges, massifs, estuaries, marshes, coastal plains, breathtaking cliffs…

With such a wealth of sights on offer, it is impossible not to nourish both body and soul in the healthiest of surroundings.

To discover so much that is so wonderful, there’s always a viewpoint in the perfect spot.

For this reason, dozens upon dozens of privileged vantage points dot the Asturian coast, and some are absolute ‘must-sees’ on your journey through Asturias.

Along the coastline, from east to west: La Boriza, in Llanes; San Roque, in Llastres; Cabo Torres and Cabo San Lorenzo, in Gijón; Cabo Peñas, in Gozón; Espíritu Santo, in Muros de Nalón; Cabo Vidio, in Cudillero; Cabo Busto and the Hermitage of La Regalina, in Valdés; and Penarronda (on the border between Castropol and Tapia de Casariego), are among the most notable.

Inland, some of the most iconic viewpoints include El Fito, in Caravia; Coto Bello, in Aller; the Naranco in Oviedo; the meanders of the Nora, between Oviedo and Las Regueras; the La Cobertoria pass, in Lena; Las Ubiñas, in Quirós; Monteagudo, in Pravia; Alto del Palo, in Allande; Penouta, in Boal; Santesteba, in Illano; Salime, in Grandas de Salime; and the La Garganta Pass, in Villanueva de Oscos.

And of course, you simply must take in the view of the Picos de Europa from these viewpoints: the Pozo de la Oración and Pedro Udaondo in Cabrales; the Mirador de los Canónigos, the Mirador de la Reina, the Mirador del Príncipe, the Mirador del Rey, the Mirador de la Princesa, and the Mirador de Entrelagos, in Cangas de Onís.

Also, don’t miss the Tarna Pass in Caso; the Cerredo Pass in Degaña; ; and the Connio Pass in Cangas del Narcea, amongst other wonders offering spectacular panoramic views.

Asturias is also an ideal destination for those looking to connect with nature in a responsible way. As part of the ‘España Verde’ Ecotourism Reserve, you can enjoy almost 40 ecotourism experiences spread throughout the region.

These range from guided walks through natural parks and wildlife spotting – such as brown bears or birds – to more comprehensive multi-day experiences combining hiking, local culture and traditional cuisine. They also include activities led by specialist guides, visits to protected areas and encounters with local producers.

You can find out all about these activities in detail in this selection of ecotourism experiences from the ‘España Verde’ Ecotourism Reserve in Asturias, designed to help you enjoy the region in an authentic, sustainable way whilst in direct contact with nature.