The path passes through villages such as Veiga and San Salvaor before reaching Bárzana. The route ends in Santa Marina, at the foot of the El Cribu coal loading bay, a symbol of Quirós' industrial past.

This section of the Senda del Oso starts at Caranga Baxu, where the route forks and takes the branch that follows the river Quirós in a south-westerly direction. The path follows the old route of the mining railway that linked the mines of Santa Marina with Trubia, and which today is one of the most attractive and accessible greenways in the Principality.

After a few minutes' walk, the route reaches Caranga Riba, and shortly afterwards it enters the Cuevafurada gorge, a narrow pass opened by the river through limestone more than 300 million years old. The path, almost always flat and well prepared, goes through tunnels dug into the rock and passes under vertical walls where holm oak, oak and mosses grow. This section offers one of the most picturesque landscapes of the whole trail.

At the exit of the gorge, the valley opens up, giving way to the Valdemurio reservoir, an artificial lake built in the 1960s for hydroelectric use. The path borders it on the right bank and, after leaving behind the recreational area and the jetty, crosses it by means of a wooden bridge that offers unbeatable views of the water mirror reflecting the surrounding mountains. Valdemurio is also an ideal place for canoeing, fishing or simply relaxing and enjoying the natural surroundings.

Continuing along the route, the path is flanked by meadows, riverside woods and small villages such as Veiga and San Salvaor, where granaries, stone houses and traditional vegetable gardens dot the landscape. You can breathe Asturian rural life at every turn.

Shortly before reaching Bárzana, capital of the council of Quirós, you will find the Ethnographic Museum of Quirós, an interesting centre that reviews the mining and farming history of the area. From here, the path heads towards Santa Marina, crossing a long, illuminated tunnel that passes under the AS-230 road and some houses in the village. At the exit, you reach a rest area that precedes the final stretch.

The end of this branch is some 200 metres away, next to an impressive restored coal loading bay, known as El Cribu, a testimony to the area's industrial past. This structure, located at the foot of the road leading to Cortes, marks the end of a section where nature, history and popular culture merge.

  • It runs partially through the Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve of Las Ubiñas - La Mesa, as well as through the Caldoveiro SCI of the Natura 2000 Network.
  • The route partially coincides with the GR-109.

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

Group of cyclists cycling along the footbridge next to the Valdemurio reservoir.
Tunnel in the rock on the Senda del Oso between Caranga and Bárzana
Valdemurio recreational area with tables and views of the reservoir and the mountains.
Wooden footbridge over the Valdemurio reservoir with mountains in the background
Reflection of mountains and mist on the Valdemurio reservoir at dawn
Entrance to the Ethnographic Museum of Quirós surrounded by an autumn forest.
Yellow and green canoes moored at the Valdemurio reservoir jetty.
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