Parque Histórico del Navia
- Boal, Coaña, El Franco, Grandas de Salime, Illano, Pesoz, Tapia de Casariego, Villayón Occidente de Asturias
Its coastal landscape reveals jewels such as the beaches of Frexulfe, a natural monument, or the Partial Nature Reserve of Barayo, and inland, fertile mountains and valleys, rivers and reservoirs invite you to take a relaxing cycling tour in the Parque Histórico del Navia, getting off your bike for a moment to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views.
The diversity of the landscapes in this region unfolds from the coastal area, located just over an hour's drive from Oviedo/Uviéu, to Grandas de Salime, 2 hours and 15 minutes away.
In this region, two medium-difficulty sections explore the coastal plain, crossing unique spots such as the Porcía and Barayo Nature Reserves and villages with an authentic seafaring flavour such as Luarca/Ḷḷuarca, Puerto de Vega, Navia, El Porto/Viavélez and Tapia, where taking a break and tasting their excellent seafood and fresh fish is almost a must.
Rolling into the Park
The cycle touring route in the Parque Histórico del Navia to Grandas de Salime links the great touring of the coast with that of the interior and allows you to ride along a road with little traffic, numerous points of interest and impressive views of the landscapes.
In Grandas de Salime, the starting or finishing point for many of the road cycling routes in the region, you should make a stop to visit the Collegiate Church of El Salvador, its important Ethnographic Museum, where you can learn about the traditions of the region and, in the surrounding area, the Chao Samartín museum and castro, with remains from the Bronze Age.
The route of the Primitive Way of St. James also passes through Grandas de Salime. Its last section, in the direction of Fonsagrada (Lugo), is a good option for those who want to enjoy a somewhat quieter cycling tour, while the section that reaches Grandas de Salime from Tinéu, in Comarca Vaqueira, has several challenging climbs, such as the Puerto del Palo.
Two linking routes with a cumulative gradient of over 1000 metres will delight the most intrepid cyclists; both offer the opportunity to admire the Indian architecture of Boal/Bual and visit its Emigration and Honey Interpretation Centres. Those who choose the route that reaches Navelgas, in Comarca Vaqueira, will cycle along the valley carved out by the river, passing through beautiful scenic enclaves.
To recover from the effort, the hearty cuisine of stews, casseroles and pots, which characterises the interior of the Park, will be essential.
Charming villages and gravel and mountain bike trails
The picturesque village of Pezós/Pesoz with its vineyards and Argul, a medieval jewel that stands out for its unique reddish stone architecture and its intricate labyrinth of galleries and corridors, can be covered on the mountain bike route that leads to Bousoño (in Oscos-Eo), while those who prefer gravel can discover the municipality of Villayón with the Cascadas de Oneta waterfalls as its main attraction, declared a Natural Monument of the Principality of Asturias.
Parque Histórico del Navia offers a unique cycling experience, where nature, tradition and gastronomy come together in routes that combine the thrill of adventure with the richness of the Principality's culture.
