The best canoeing routes in Asturias to connect with nature

Exploring the Asturian countryside is always a pleasure for the senses, but doing so by exploring one of its pristine rivers makes it an exciting experience. We propose six canoe descents, where you can enjoy the thrill of the rapids, the calm of the backwaters and enjoy the surroundings.

These are usually activities for the whole family and, contrary to what it may seem, it is not a strenuous activity, as the current always helps you to reach your destination. You will also be able to enjoy the fauna, with protagonists such as cormorants, herons, ducks, trout... and if you are lucky, the elusive otter may even turn up to say hello. In short, canoeing on Asturian rivers is a highly recommended active experience that allows you to connect with nature in its purest state. The perfect combination of sport and adventure.

Asturias offers you a multitude of sports and adventure activities in the countryside. One of the most attractive is canoeing down rivers. Here you have several options to choose from and enjoy to the full.

The Nalón rises at the source of La Nalona, in the port of Tarna (council of Caso) and flows for more than 150 kilometres through Asturian territory to flow between San Esteban de Pravia and San Juan de la Arena, forming the Pravia estuary.

Coal mining has deeply marked the Nalón river basin, integrating its landscape inseparably with a considerable legacy in the form of industrial heritage. The different coal washing plants once caused its waters to flow black, but the decline of mining and the important investments in sanitation and recovery have restored its extraordinary crystal-clear and clean waters.

To enjoy them, there are two guided descents of the Nalón in the heart of Asturias:

• From Las Caldas to Trubia, a route of about 6 kilometres with small rapids. Las Caldas is very close to Oviedo, just 8 kilometres away, and can be reached by public transport.

The Cares River rises in Posada de Valdeón in León and makes its way towards Asturias through the spectacular Cares Gorge, which separates the Central (Urrieles) and Western (Cornión) massifs of Picos de Europa. The famous Cares route allows you to enjoy on foot this marvel, also known as the Divine Gorge, which has been eroded by the river in its initial stretches.

The Cares is a mountain river, with clean, crystalline waters of a greenish colour, which constitute a formidable ecosystem full of life that runs through the Picos de Europa National Park until it flows into the river Deva, into which it flows very close to Panes, the capital of the council of Peñamellera Baja.

Normally, canoeing down the Cares is done on its final stretch, which is about 10 kilometres long, between Niserias and Panes. At the beginning, the river runs between walls covered with vegetation and, little by little, the landscape opens up in a journey that is worthwhile, amidst vegetation and tremendous scenery. It is easy to see trout and salmon clearly through its pure waters, but also birds such as cormorants, herons or ducks and, if you are lucky, the beautiful otter.

The Cares is not a very busy river, so you can enjoy the activity in harmony with nature. There are areas of calm waters, but it is important to bear in mind that there are rapids that are rougher than those of the Sella, so it is advisable to have a minimum of previous experience in canoeing. For this reason, depending on your practice, it may be advisable to do the descent accompanied by a guide, especially if it has rained the previous days.

At the opposite end of Asturias, we find the river Eo, a natural border with Galicia in its final stretch, which flows into the Cantabrian Sea forming the Ribadeo estuary.

There are several descents to choose from to enjoy the Eo in the council of San Tirso de Abres, where it is possible to adapt the activity to all ages and abilities. All these stretches flow through a practically unaltered natural setting, where the canoe descent is an experience surrounded by vegetation similar to entering a green tunnel, with the murmur of the water and the singing of birds as a soundtrack.

In what is known as the upper Eo we find the most fun area of the river, with several sections with rapids, where you can enjoy the energy of the river. It is also the longest stretch, about 9 kilometres long.

As we flow with the current towards the north, the Eo widens and flows more calmly, so the experience becomes calmer in calmer waters. Even so, in the middle stretch (between Ferrería and Abres) you can also enjoy some rapids. From Abres onwards, the lower part of the river is the calmest descent offered by the beautiful river Eo. Both options are about 5 kilometres long.

• Downstream we find the other option offered, between San Román de Candamo and Pravia, with a distance of about 9 kilometres. San Román is 30 kilometres from Oviedo and Avilés.

Whichever canoeing route you choose, you will be able to enjoy the riverside forest, the fauna, small rapids and, what's more, you won't have any problems with crowds.

The river Deva rises in Fuente Dé from several mountain streams and flows into the Cantabrian Sea in the Tina Mayor estuary, on the border between Asturias and Cantabria. The Deva forms the eastern boundary of the Picos de Europa and its largest tributary is the Cares, so it is possible to canoe down both the Deva and the Cares, although this involves 22 kilometres of navigation.

The companies that offer the descent of the Deva usually start the route in Panes (where the Cares river ends) and finish it in Unquera (Cantabria), at the beautiful village of Bustio (Asturias). There are a total of 12 kilometres of crystal-clear waters and splendid landscapes where you can enjoy the river's pebble beaches and, of course, several rapids.

The Deva is the second most popular river in Asturias as far as canoe descents are concerned, although it is much less crowded than the Sella, making it a great alternative in this area (it is also a quieter descent than the Cares).

The Navia is one of the most important river basins in the Principality of Asturias, steeped in history and famous since ancient times for its wealth of gold, already mentioned by Ptolemy in his Geographikè Uphégesis.

Its course is divided between Galicia and Asturias, where it flows into the Bay of Biscay, forming the Navia estuary. On its journey to the sea, the river crosses a significant difference in level, which was used during the 20th century to build three reservoirs: Salime, Doiras and Arbón.

This hydraulic vocation of the Navia means that it is a river with calmer waters, where rapids are scarce and where there is less current to help paddling, although this all depends on the release of water from the dams.

The most popular option for canoeing down the Navia is the final stretch, between the Arbón dam and the Navia pass. This is a descent of some 14 kilometres in an area with a wider landscape than upstream, where the river meanders through woods and meadows. The vegetation always accompanies the river and it is normal to be able to see various species of birds, such as grey herons and cormorants. The current is more helpful at the beginning, then it drops off and when you reach the estuary it can be an ally or make paddling more difficult, depending on the tide.

For the more adventurous, the Navia allows the descent of a large part of its course in several stages. An expedition lasting several days, which can be tailor-made with local companies and normally takes between 4 and 6 days, with more than 100 kilometres of river navigation ahead of you. A different way of getting to know western Asturias, in close contact with nature. Do you dare?

The Sella is neither the largest river in Asturias nor the most abundant, but it is clearly the best known. It rises in Oseja de Sajambre (León) and, together with the Dobra, marks the western limit of the Picos de Europa before finally flowing into the Ribadesella estuary.

Many visitors to the east of the Principality include the descent of the Sella in their plans. And it is logical, the beautiful scenery will engrave the experience in your memory and, if the day is sunny, the water turns a spectacular golden colour.

Bear in mind that this is a very popular activity and in summer it tends to be busier, so we recommend that you do the descent outside the high season. May, June, September and October are the best months if the weather is good.

The activity is generally done on your own and it is normal to start in Arriondas/Les Arriondes, although there are companies that offer the option of starting some 4 kilometres earlier, in what is surely one of the most beautiful stretches of the river.

After Arriondas/Les Arriondes there are two stops, so you decide how far you want to paddle. During the descent you will discover some easy and fun rapids, as well as several river beaches (depending on the amount of water in the river) perfect for resting.

At the Toraño bridge, 8 kilometres from Arriondas/Les Arriondes, we find the first stop where the company you hire can pick you up.

If you decide to continue, there are another 7 kilometres to the Llovio bridge. This last stretch has deeper and slower waters, which, added to the accumulated tiredness, are the most difficult to paddle.

Most of these descents are done in summer, although for the Sella it is recommended to do it outside the summer period. They are all privileged natural environments, where respect for the environment must be the utmost.

Many of these canoe descents do not require previous experience, but if you have any doubts or concerns, the most sensible thing to do is to hire a monitor to accompany you on the experience (in some cases it is compulsory to do it with a guide). Of course, it is essential to know how to swim.

It is advisable to wear comfortable clothes that can get wet and to protect yourself from the sun with sun cream and a hat. For your feet, it is best to wear booties or footwear that you don't mind getting wet. It is also important to bring food and drink.

You can book these canoeing routes with the active tourism companies, they also provide you with the necessary equipment: neoprene (depending on the season), life jackets, canoes... so that your main concern is to make the most of one of the most enriching natural experiences that Asturias has to offer.

Discover the perfect mix of water and fun in the descent of the Sella and Nalón rivers, two summer events of the first order in Asturias, where nature and fun go hand in hand.

The International Descent of the Sella is an ancient canoeing competition held on the first Saturday in August (provided it is after the 2nd). It runs along 20 kilometres of the river Sella, between Arriondas/Les Arriondes and Ribadesella/Ribeseya, and is one of the most important events in the world on the international river rafting scene.

However, the most remarkable thing is that around the Descent, one of the most important national festivals flourishes. The Fiesta de las Piraguas brings together thousands of people every year for several days, reaching its climax on the day of the Descent. This festivity, deeply rooted in Asturian culture, offers a special and exciting moment just before the start in Arriondas/Les Arriondes, where an enthusiastic crowd sings the hymn "Asturias, patria querida" (Asturias, beloved homeland).

There is no doubt that the Descenso Folklórico del Nalón is one of the most unique and interesting events you can enjoy in Asturias. It is an aquatic and summer carnival, which is usually held in the second half of August and attracts thousands of people to Pola de Laviana/ La Pola Llaviana.

They descend with boats created for the event, in which a lot of ingenuity and work has been invested. The parade of these floats starts early in the afternoon at the Puente del Arco, after singing "El Chalaneru" as the hymn, and ends a kilometre and a half further on, at the bridge of La Chalana.

It is an epic of teamwork to overcome the obstacles, good humour and creativity in abundance in a manifestation of Asturianism that must be witnessed. After the descent, the boats are exhibited, the prizes are awarded and the party continues out of the water.

Come and enjoy some of these routes that will stay in your memory forever!