Comarca Vaqueira
- Allande, Cudillero, Salas, Tineo, Valdés Occidente de Asturias
The experience of cycle touring in the Comarca Vaqueira is lived by cycling along the routes that the vaqueiros de alzada, transhumant shepherds, have been using since time immemorial. These shepherds, who once lived according to the rhythm of the seasons, left a mark that still survives in this land that bears their name and whose landscape is shaped by centuries of history and traditions.
The main municipalities of the Comarca Vaqueira are less than an hour's drive from Oviedo/Uviéu, with Allande being the furthest, at 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Filming by the Cantabrian Sea and regaining strength in the seaside villages
The coastal rasa can be covered by road or gravel routes of moderate difficulty. It passes through natural spots of special beauty such as Silencio beach, Cape Vidio or Cape Busto. The picturesque villages of Cudillero, with its colourful houses perched on the hillside, and Luarca/Ḷḷuarca, with its elegant examples of Indian and civil architecture, are worth a stop along the way to discover at your leisure.
The Comarca Vaqueira is a perfect destination for active and sustainable cycle tourism in permanent contact with the sea. Cycling along its coastline is a respectful way of enjoying nature, allowing yourself to be amazed by the majesty of the cliffs and the force of the Cantabrian waves. A unique experience to connect with the rich seafaring culture of Asturias.
Heritage and history in Tineo, Allande and Salas
On the route that links the great touring of the coast with that of the interior, cycling tourism enthusiasts in the Comarca Vaqueira will find natural spaces such as the Foces del Río Esva and towns historically linked to gold such as Navelgas, where there is a museum on gold mining, and Tinéu, which in addition to its interesting historical site and its Museum of Sacred Art has an extensive network of cycle touring routes in its territory.
The most demanding route of the Primitive Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela runs through this town, although it is a good place to take it easy and discover the Indian tradition in Pola de Allande, the medieval architecture in Salas and its Collegiate Church of Santa María La Mayor, and in Corniana/Cornellana, the monastery of San Salvador, founded in 1024.
The gastronomy of the area, with its abundance of hearty stews, meats and sausages, with the chosco as the main ingredient, together with the typical desserts of the Vaqueiro recipe book, is the necessary complement to regain strength and face the mountain routes with the most important climbs.
In the interior of the Comarca Vaqueira there are also cycle touring routes of varying difficulty. The route that reaches Corniana/Cornellana from Somiedo (in Camín Real de la Mesa) is extensive, but of very low difficulty and winds its way through the high peaks, following the course of the river Somiedo; the route that starts in Boal/Bual (in Parque Histórico del Navia) to Navelgas has a high cumulative gradient, taking cyclists through mountainous terrain and historic towns.
Roads with good roads and little traffic make it possible to immerse oneself fully and safely in the authenticity of the Comarca Vaqueira, a place where history, nature and deep-rooted tradition blend in perfect harmony.
