Route A Paicega

The route to A Paicega begins in Pezós/Pesoz, in the vicinity of the Palacio de los Ron, a historic building that dominates the valley and which bears witness to the importance of this village in times gone by. The path starts by ascending a wide, well-defined track, surrounded by a leafy forest of oak and chestnut trees. During the ascent, it is possible to see some cuerrias, circular stone structures where chestnuts, a staple food in this area, were traditionally stored.

As the path ascends, the deciduous vegetation gives way to pine plantations at the higher altitudes. The route, although moderately steep, allows you to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the forest, where if you are lucky you may spot a marten, a small carnivore that lives in these parts. After walking approximately 1.3 kilometres, you reach a crossroads where the path takes the right-hand branch. A little further on, the path connects with a local road with little traffic, which leads to the village of Sanzo.

Sanzo, a small rural village, conserves part of its traditional structure and has unobstructed views of the valley. From here, the route continues along a flat track in good condition until it reaches the old village of A Paicega, built in the mid-20th century to house the labourers who worked on the construction of the Grandas de Salime reservoir. This hydraulic project, completed in 1955, was one of the most impressive works of its time and the largest dam in Europe for a time.

A Paicega, although currently uninhabited, offers the visitor the opportunity to imagine the life of the families who lived there for a decade. The village had houses, a school, a canteen, a hairdresser's and even its own police force. The church of A Paicega, dedicated to the Virgin of La Luz and consecrated in 1948, is the only building that has remained standing and is being restored as a cultural space thanks to the neighbourhood initiative.

One of the most curious elements is the cable car, a 40-kilometre infrastructure that connected A Paicega with El Espín (Coaña) and which allowed the transport of materials without relying on the complicated roads of the time. Although nowadays only some remains of this impressive engineering work are left, the place maintains its historical and heritage value.

From the A Paicega viewpoint, located in the lower part of the village, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Navia river canyon and the surrounding mountainous environment. This panoramic viewpoint invites you to pause and contemplate the landscape that combines nature and history.

The return to Pesoz is along the same route, taking the track that passes through Sanzo again. The route allows you to discover a changing landscape between forests and plantations, as well as the industrial past of the Navia region, marked by the colossal hydraulic works that transformed the territory and its way of life.