- Address Cangas del Narcea Western Asturias
- Distance Distance: 23,73 kms
- Difficulty Difficulty: Half
- Code Code: GR109
- Altitude Altitude: 927,42
- On foot On foot: 7 h.
- Start point Start point: Ounon
- Route type Route type: Hiking
- Tour type Tour type: Crossing
- Layout of the route Layout of the route: Download kml
The route runs through the valleys and mountains of the council of Cangas del Narcea through the Santa Flor, Pillarma and Acebo mountain ranges, where one of the most venerated sanctuaries in the southwest of Asturias is located, the Sanctuary of the Virgen del Acebo, patron saint of the vaqueiros de alzada, where a traditional and multitudinous pilgrimage is held every 8th September.
Ounón - Ḷḷugarnes - Castro de Sierra - Vallinas - Courias
Ounon - Courias 23,73
From the town of Onón, the GR runs along a first stretch heading south, over the Sierra de Santa Flor, to Porley, where it changes direction and, from there, heading west, it runs along the northern part of the Sierra del Acebo, passing through the Sierra de la Pillarma, until it reaches Corias. The route begins on the road to Onón, where there is an information panel indicating the start of the stage, and descends towards the river Onón via a turning that takes the road to the left, at the exit of the village.
The next stretch runs southwards along the road, passing through the rural villages of Ḷḷugarnes and Valleciello. At the exit of the latter, the path leaves the road, turning left, and climbs along a dirt track towards the pastures of the Sierra de Santa Flor. Continuing between pastures, heading south, you will see several villages scattered over the Sierra Maldita, in the valley of the river Junqueras, and behind them, the Sierra de la Serrantina.
After crossing the meadow, the path descends to Porley, where it begins a second stretch heading west. The route crosses Porley and takes the road on the right that crosses the river Antrago to continue along the slopes of the Sierra del Acebo. For several kilometres, the route runs along the road between meadows and copses of chestnut trees(Castanea sativa), ash trees(Fraxinus angustifolia) and alders(Alnus glutinosa), with views over the valley of the river Antrago.
The road passes through Castro de Sierra and below Villajimada, where, before reaching Villalar, the next village, the route turns left and begins to climb along a dirt track. From this point, the remaining section of the stage coincides with the GR-203 path. The dirt track ascends a steep slope over the Sierra de la Pillarma, between reforestations of radiata pine(Pinus radiata) and Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris), looking for the Cima del Cuetu (Cuetu Peak).
At the Cima del Cuetu, the path leaves the road and begins to descend along the dirt track opposite the one we have just left. The descent continues to the rural village of Vallinas, where it leaves the road and enters a path on the right that leads to Corias.
This path will take us to the end of the stage, next to the Monastery of San Juan Bautista de Corias, opposite the AS-15 road and next to the Narcea River.
It could be done by mountain bike (most of it is on local roads or tracks).