Water Route

The Taramundi Water Route is one of the most emblematic itineraries in western Asturias, a perfect combination of ethnographic heritage, nature and rural tradition. It starts in the town centre of Taramundi and takes the visitor through forests, traditional villages and old water mills that give meaning to the name of this route.

The route starts in the direction of the Mazonovo Mills Museum, where it is possible to discover how different types of water-powered mills work. From here, the path ascends along a forest track, between chestnut and oak trees, until it crosses the River Turía over the Escaderna bridge. Shortly afterwards, a signposted detour leads to the Salgueira river waterfall, a beautiful spot hidden among the local vegetation.

The path briefly retraces its steps and continues to the village of Os Esquíos, where there is an interesting ethnographic museum that shows the life and tools of the rural environment. From here, a circular loop begins, which can be walked in both directions. The most common option leads first to As Veigas, a picturesque village with traditional stone and wood architecture. From there, it is possible to make a short detour to visit the church of Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves, crossing the Batán bridge.

After crossing As Veigas, the route continues parallel to the road along a path that runs along the mountainside until it reaches Os Teixóis, an ethnographic site of great value where a mallet, fulling mill, mill, whetstone, forge and an old mini-power station are still in operation. This place is a masterly illustration of how water was used as a source of energy. The visit is completed with the nearby hermitage of Santo Domingo.

From Os Teixóis, the path descends towards the river Turía and climbs gently back up to close the loop at Os Esquíos. From here, you return to Taramundi by the same route as on the outward journey.

This route, of medium difficulty and well signposted, offers a complete experience for those seeking to walk through forests and discover traditional Asturian engineering. The abundance of water, present in rivers, waterfalls, mills and fulling mills, makes this route a tribute to the element that gives life to these lands.