Cycling route. From Somiedo to Cornellana

A route that runs through the municipalities of Somiedo, Belmonte de Miranda and Salas, and links the major multi-day routes through the inland and mountainous areas between La Pola Somiedo and Corniana/Cornellana.

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Address Somiedo–Belmonte/Balmonte–Corniana/Cornellana

Distance Distance: 50 kms
Difficulty Difficulty: Very easy
Total ascent Total ascent: 49 m
Maximum altitude Maximum altitude: 706 m
Minimum altitude Minimum altitude: 41 m
IBP index IBP index: 14

Route One-day routes,Links
Type of bicycle Type of bicycle: Road
Type of route Type of route: Linear
Return by Train Return by Train: No

Starting point Starting point: Somiedo
Ending point Ending point: Corniana/Cornellana
Estimated duration Estimated duration: Un día

The route starts at the square in La Pola Somiedo, a village that is certainly well worth a leisurely visit, and runs alongside the River Somiedo, nestled amongst the surrounding mountains.

After just three kilometres, you reach the historic La Malva Hydroelectric Power Station and the junction leading to Alto de La Farrapona, a route that follows the high-mountain stage route, although in this case you continue downstream, passing through the villages of La Riera and Los Llanos until you reach Auguasmestas, where the River Somiedo meets the River Pigüeña, which flows into it.

The route continues downstream, passing through Almurfe and Augüera, and in Augüerina it passes by the remarkable Cardenal Cienfuegos Palace, before reaching Belmonte/Balmonte, the capital of the municipal district, a few kilometres further on. At this point, the route follows the quiet street that runs parallel to the river, offering a better view of the architecture and surroundings of the town centre.

From here, the route continues through a somewhat more open valley, with a few fertile plains nestled in the river’s bends, until it reaches Samartín, situated at the confluence of the Pigüeña and the River Narcea. At this point, the valley is already very wide, although it remains enclosed and clearly bounded by the rugged mountainous terrain that shapes the landscape.

Continuing along the route, from Samartín the path largely follows the old Corredor del Narcea road, which winds its way through charming little villages, avoiding as far as possible the already heavy traffic on the district road, until reaching Corniana/Cornellana, where a visit to the Monastery of San Salvador – of great historical and architectural interest – is a must.