The route connects nature and history and allows us to understand the mark that industry left on the life and landscape of La Güeria San Xuan.

The route begins in the Plaza de Requexu, where the church of San Xuan is located, and heads towards the cemetery of La Belonga, passing through neighbourhoods that preserve architectural vestiges linked to mining. The route first takes us to Muries, where the old Álvarez-Buylla Hospital was located. Further on, to the left of the path, Returbiu appears, a working-class neighbourhood built to house the emigrants who came to work in the mines, mainly from Andalusia, Extremadura and Castile-León.

Continuing along the road, we reach Vegaotos, where we can still see the remains of some of the most active coal mines in the council. The Pozu Tres Amigos stands out, a testimony to the economic and social impact of mining in the region, with structures preserved to keep its memory alive. Further on, we come to Pozu Polio, whose installations can be seen from outside the fenced perimeter. Nearby is the recreational area of El Carbayón, an ideal place to take a break before setting off on the return journey.

Along the route, the landscape reflects the traces of mining, with ruins of old industrial facilities, coal deposits and dumps. Many of these areas have undergone environmental restoration, which is particularly noticeable in the area around the recreational area, where spaces have been recovered for public use.

After contemplating the mining structures in Vegaotos, the route returns along the same path, offering a new perspective of the landscape and allowing us to observe the coexistence between the industrial past and natural regeneration. This is an easy route, suitable for cycling or with the family, which highlights the mining heritage of Mieres, combining history, landscape and nature in a unique itinerary.

  • It coincides at the start and end with the GR-100 (Silver Route) and the Way of St. James.
  • Cyclable route
  • The mining installations can be seen from the outside, but are not accessible.
  • The Pozu Polio can be seen from outside its fenced perimeter.
  • Local Footpath - Signposted Mieres Town Council

Basic tips before going into the mountains

  • Avoid approaching livestock.
  • If you find mastiffs protecting livestock, do not approach them, do not pet them and do not feed them. Do not allow them to follow you or stray from their herd. They are working.
  • If you go with a dog, always keep it on a leash.
  • Don't leave a trail. Collect all your waste, including organic waste. Nature is not a dumping ground.
  • Act with prudence. Plan your route well, take everything you need and make sure it is adapted to your physical capacity.

Imagen información More recommendations for planning your route

Giant bicycle sculpture in the Emilio Murcia park in Returbiu, under the shade of the trees.
The metal derrick of the Tres Amigos mining shaft, a symbol of the area's industrial past.
Statue of a cider pourer in the Plaza de Requejo in Mieres, with traditional architecture in the background.
Family walking through dry leaves along a wooded section of the Baltasara Railway.
A couple of hikers walking along a path between a stone wall and a wooden fence.
Hiker crossing a wooden bridge over a river on the Baltasara Railway route.
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