The best plans to enjoy spring in Asturias

Although any time of year is ideal for visiting Asturias, each season has its virtues and brings with it a range of activities to make the most of it. Spring is truly special, with the awakening of nature as the undisputed protagonist in an extraordinary visual and sensory spectacle.

It is also a time of year that ensures an authentic visit at a perfect time to explore landscapes and enjoy the beauty of the Natural Paradise.

You can't say you've been to Asturias if you haven't tried a glass of our most emblematic drink. Asturian cider is a drink with a thousand-year-old tradition, which is deeply rooted throughout the region and has been declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

In spring, generally between mid-April and the end of May, the pumaradas (apple orchards) are in full bloom. The white blossom appears in all its splendour, decorating the apple trees and creating idyllic landscapes. This is a highly recommended activity in which, as well as enjoying the beautiful flower beds, you will be able to acquire cider culture with knowledge about types of apples, textures, flavours, etc.

You can visit and enjoy the apple blossom in several apple orchards scattered throughout the Cider Shire.

Water in its different states is a very present element in Asturias, and is directly related to several plans in nature. Spring is an optimal time to do routes with waterfalls, as the thaw and the rains of the season make the water flow in abundance.

Some of the most spectacular waterfall routes in Asturias are:

• Oneta in Villayón
• Guanga in Trubia valley (Oviedo)
• Cioyo in Castropol
• Xurbeo in Murias (Aller)
• Tabayón del Mongayo in Tarna (Caso)
• A Seimeira in Santa Eulalia de Oscos
• Salgueira in Taramundi

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, many Asturians were forced to emigrate to America in search of a better life. The Indianos are those who managed to make their fortune and returned to the land of their birth.

They built their splendid residences in colonial architecture, surrounded by sumptuous gardens of exotic species with the palm tree as their standard. Erected with the intention of impressing and as a symbol of prosperity, these constructions today represent a valuable legacy spread across countless towns and villages.

The village of Somao, located in the council of Pravia, stands out as one of the best examples of Indiano architecture, which blends harmoniously with traditional Asturian constructions, among granaries and granaries. The remarkable concentration of perfectly preserved indiano houses in Somao is astonishing, which is why we recommend you take the indiano walk, a route specifically designed to visit them.

Spring is the right time to discover one of the most unknown treasures in Asturias: the Fonte Baixa forest-garden. These gardens cover 12 hectares and stand out for their variety of flora brought from all five continents. On the estate you will discover works of art and viewpoints with excellent views, making it one of the best things to see and do in Luarca/Ḷḷuarca. The visit can be free or guided.

In spring the Asturian mountains come to life, and burst into colour with the profuse flowering of the heather, in flirtatious shades of pink and purple.

The heather creates a beautiful canvas in the unforgettable landscapes of Los Oscos. This region offers a splendid setting to enjoy the flowering of this shrub in the open air, which covers extensive areas of scrubland and tints the hillsides with intense colours. Although they are visible from afar, it is worth venturing out on a route to fully appreciate the landscape.

A good example is the As Zarras route in Villanueva de Oscos, which is only 3.5 kilometres long and of low difficulty. It starts in Santa Eufemia along a path that runs through a forest of oak, birch, holly and chestnut trees, to reach Vilarello, a small stone village. Once you have left Vilarello behind, the path continues through the mountain where you can observe the colours of spring, including the heather in bloom. Finally, take the road that leads to the starting point, Santa Eufemia, a beautiful village where the Ecomuseo del Pan (Bread Ecomuseum) is located.

There are many villages in Asturias with a special charm that seem to be straight out of a fairy tale. And there is something for everyone: on the coast, in the mountains, on the banks of a river, remote, with traditional architecture...

One of the places you must visit is the hidden village of Cueves, in Ribadesella, which can be reached by crossing a 300-metre-long, illuminated, asphalted natural cave, "La Cuevona". Although you can get there by car, we recommend you make the journey on foot to see the stalactites and stalagmites. Once in Cueves you will find a very pretty and flowery village, with many hórreos (raised granaries) and traditional houses.

The climate of Asturias favours the presence of some of the most spectacular forests in Spain, and the Muniellos forest is undoubtedly one of the most impressive. This unspoilt natural sanctuary was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2000 and holds several titles, such as the largest beech forest in Asturias and the largest oak forest in Spain. Muniellos is also one of the areas where the Asturias Nature Network offers free guided tours as part of its efforts to publicise protected areas.

Spring is a great time to visit Muniellos, which is full of life and colour. April and May are usually the most recommendable months, when the forest hatches a wide range of colours after the long winter. It is also the breeding season for many animals, such as the brown bear, so there are also ecotourism activities on offer, such as bear watching.

One of the best panoramic views of the Muniellos forest is obtained from the San Luis viewpoint. You can book a guided tour to this viewpoint every Saturday afternoon, from the Interpretation Centre of the Muniellos Nature Reserve. If you are looking to go into the reserve and do one of the routes enabled in the Reserve, it is necessary to request it in advance as access is limited to 20 people per day.

Spring brings good weather and more pleasant temperatures, making it a good time to explore the beaches of the Costa Verde. It is a time with low tourist occupation, perfect for enjoying the sandy beaches, strolling, listening to the sound of the waves and, if the day is fine, enjoying a day on the beach in solitude.

In search of peace and quiet, Vallina beach is an uncrowded beach in a splendid natural setting, where the river Vivigo flows into the sea. The surroundings of the beach, also known as Gallo beach, are unspoilt, with pebbles and sand, which can be reached after a pleasant walk along a track. At one kilometre long, it is the longest beach in the council of Cudillero and is usually very quiet.

In spring, the viewpoints of Asturias are transformed into true paradises of colour and life. From these heights, you can contemplate the spectacle of nature blooming in all its splendour. And in particular, the coastal viewpoints. With the lush green of the fields and the deep blue of the sea as a backdrop, each visit to these viewpoints becomes an unforgettable experience that captures the unique beauty of this region in springtime.

Among them, the San Roque viewpoint, in Llastres, stands out as a privileged place to enjoy the most impressive panoramic views of the Asturian coast. From this high point you can enjoy extraordinary panoramic views of the picturesque village of Llastres, the Sueve mountain range and the coastline along the Cantabrian Sea, with its cliffs and beaches.

Asturias has a wide range of getaways and activities to get to know and enjoy the region in a more intense way. With expert local guides you will delve into guided tours in nature, discovering the charm of the fishing villages and visiting the most unique resources of Asturian culture.

There are all kinds of proposals for all tastes, which you can book to fill your spring in Asturias with content: rural tourism, active tourism, ecotourism, family plans, cycling tourism, wellness, etc.

In conclusion, spring in Asturias exceeds all expectations. Nature comes to life, painting the mountains and valleys with an intense green adorned with millions of wild flowers, the rivers recover their flow and the Principality appears in all its splendour. It is the perfect time to escape the hustle and bustle, explore trails, discover villages, taste the immense Asturian gastronomy and traditional Asturian festivals.