Routes in the Redes Natural Park to enjoy autumn

Autumn and spring are two of the best seasons of the year to visit Asturias thanks to the beauty of its landscapes. An ideal time to go hiking and enjoy the colours of its forests.

Starting in the village of Caliao, in the council of Caso, on one of the most impressive routes in the Redes Natural Park. This route stands out for its enormous scenic value, with narrow gorges, crystalline waterfalls and forests that will accompany you along the route, offering a total immersion in nature.

The first section of this route is known as the Desfiladero de los Arrudos, a simple route of about 6 km from Caliao to La Fontona. During this section, you will be able to enjoy the charm of the gorge and the wooded surroundings characteristic of the Redes Park.

When you reach La Fontona, you can decide whether to continue to the end, to La Infiesta, or return to Caliao. This alternative is more demanding, with a drop of over a thousand metres and a length of 22 kilometres, but, as a reward for the effort, you will have the opportunity to visit Lake Ubales, a lake of great beauty surrounded by mountains at an altitude of over 1,600 metres, offering spectacular views of the Asturian landscape.

In the council of Caso, the village of Tarna is the starting point for one of the most beautiful routes in the Redes Nature Reserve: the Tabayón del Mongallu route. Tabayón" means "waterfall" in Asturian, and this impressive waterfall, some 60 metres high, is one of the natural monuments of Asturias.

Tarna is a unique place, where all its houses share a similar appearance due to its reconstruction after the Spanish Civil War.

The Tabayón del Mongallu route is one of the most pleasant and accessible routes to do in autumn in Asturias. This route is circular and the distance is about 12 km with an accumulated height difference of 600 m, and it will take you between 3 and 4 hours to complete it.

The trail is very well signposted and goes through a large beech forest, known as Monte Saperu, with majestic specimens that add a charming atmosphere to the route. When the forest begins to open up, you begin to see the impressive waterfall, which you can access up to its base to feel the force of the waterfall close up.

In Orllé, in the council of Caso, you will find another of the easiest routes of all those proposed. The Valle del Río Medio route is a circular route of just over 7 km with a cumulative height gain of around 600 m, and for which you will need about 3 hours.

This trail will take you through impressive beech forests that, in autumn, transform the path with an explosion of warm and vibrant colours, creating a magical and enveloping atmosphere. As you advance, the rustling of the wind through the leaves and the chirping of birds accompany your every step, making this walk a unique sensory experience.

These are just a few examples of the countless routes you can explore in autumn in Asturias. Whether you are skirting the rivers at the bottom of the valleys or climbing the Asturian mountains, the local flora makes autumn the most beautiful season for hiking. The mild climate of these months, combined with the explosion of colours brought about by the changing of the leaves, offers the perfect combination for enjoying the natural beauty of Asturias at this time of year. Without a doubt, it is an invitation to lose yourself in nature and let yourself be carried away by the magic of the Asturian landscape.

In the council of Sobrescobio, also within the Redes Natural Park, is the famous Alba Route, listed as a Natural Monument of the Principality of Asturias. This route follows the course of the river Alba and stands out for its spectacular natural surroundings, with its path that narrows as we advance through the Alba Gorge.

Along the way, beautiful waterfalls and spectacular views begin to appear before our eyes, enveloping us in the magic of the Asturian landscape.

The route starts in the village of Soto, and the first few kilometres take you into this gorge, whose scenic beauty is astounding. Along the 7 kilometres (14 km round trip) to the Foces del Llaímo, you will enjoy a well-signposted path, with wooden bridges crossing the river and numerous waterfalls that enhance the experience. This section is undoubtedly the most beautiful of the route, making it easy to understand why this is a must-visit hiking route in Asturias. With a moderate gradient of about 400 metres, it is a route suitable for children, and can be completed in approximately 4 hours.

Autumn is one of the best times to do this route, as the golden and reddish colours of the trees, together with the sound of the water running down the river, create a magical atmosphere. The Ruta del Alba is perfect for those who are looking for a total immersion in the Asturian nature without facing great technical difficulties.

In short, the Redes Natural Park offers a variety of hiking routes that allow you to immerse yourself in the natural wealth of Asturias, from breathtaking gorges to waterfalls and enchanting forests. Trails such as the Arrudos Route, the Tabayón del Mongallu, the Middle River Valley and the Alba Route invite us to discover unique landscapes at every step.

Whether you are looking for a physical challenge or a more relaxed hike, these routes provide an unforgettable experience that connects the visitor with the magic of the Asturian environment, especially in autumn, when nature is at its best.