Foces del Raigosu

The route to the Foces del Raigosu is a route of great scenic and natural value, located in the foothills of Peña Mea, one of the most emblematic mountains of the Laviana council. The itinerary starts from the car park at Les Mestres, shortly before arriving at the village of La Fomermeya, where we find an information panel about the route.

From the beginning, a forest track runs parallel to the river Raigosu, crossing a leafy forest environment where chestnut trees predominate. As you go on, the path crosses riverside areas and meadows, gently gaining height. About 1.5 kilometres from the start, there is a crossroads: the path on the left continues towards the gorges, while the one on the right leads to Los Tornos. At this point you will also find the cave of Les Xanes.

The path narrows, the vegetation changes, and beech, birch and hawthorn trees appear. The alternation of geological materials - limestone and siliceous - generates a notable floral diversity along the route, where you can see copses of holly, hazel and ferns, together with a rich forest fauna: robins, wrens and, if you are lucky, the odd roe deer or herd of goats.

The route continues towards the heart of the gorges. Halfway along the route, the Raigosu river joins the Gatu stream, just before entering the narrow and spectacular Cebellales Gorge, where the sound of the water, the vertical walls and the narrowness of the path create an atmosphere of total immersion in nature.

Once past the gorge, the path ascends the slope of Los Collaos. In this section you can see the remains of old mining operations, silent witnesses of a time when mining activity was key to the local economy. These traces of the industrial past coexist today with nature, partially covered by the forest, integrated into the landscape in an almost organic way.

The zigzagging ascent leads to a small viewpoint with spectacular views of the surroundings, and a fountain that allows you to take a break before the last stretch. A little further up you reach the sheepfold of Casas de Raigosu, where old shepherds' huts are still preserved.

From here, you can see some of the most characteristic peaks in the area, such as Corbellosu, Peña Mea and, on clear days, you can even make out the ojo de buey, a curious natural window in the limestone walls of Peña Mea. The return is by the same route, allowing you to enjoy the landscape from another perspective.

This route, which combines landscape, vegetation, geology and memories of Laviana's mining past, is a leisurely journey into the depths of the Raigosu valley, an experience of connection with the most authentic Asturian nature.